God Selects A King After His Own Heart

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORDS anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. I Samuel 16:6-13

Steps: 4, 5, 11, 12

God had rejected Saul as His king and sends His prophet Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem to find a king. Samuel sees Jesse’s eldest son and thinks that this man is God’s anointed. But God instructs Samuel by informing him that God chooses after the heart not by the external appearance. God chooses Jesse’s youngest son to be His king and then spends much time and effort training this young man to be His king over His people.

Prayer for Today: God, You do so many different things in such a unique way that it is always surprising working with You. Teach us to trust Your uniqueness and help us to be willing to cooperate with You because we know that Your ways always work out better than our ways. Help us to trust that how You worked with David is how You will work with us. Keep us in recovery and help us to be willing to learn more about You.