The choosing of David has much to say. Here are the gleanings:
1) “Just do your job” – When Samuel went to anoint a king in Saul’s place, because the Lord had rejected Saul, Samuel was scared. But there wasn’t much pity from the Lord, just a “do your job.” Sometimes we face hard times and the Lord provides comfort. Sometimes the Lord tells us to set aside our fear and do the job he has set before us.
2) Keep your Ears Attuned – When Samuel saw the family of Jesse, it was obvious who could be the clear leader. A man of stature and extraordinary appearance, Eliab, the first-born was obvious. In fact Samuel saw him and declared, “Certainly the LORD’s anointed one is here before Him” (1 Sam 16:6). But the LORD spoke to him and said, “no, not him.”
This is a great lesson to learn to trust the Spirit, not our eyes. To do so means we must have our listening ears on and obey. It’s tempting to choose beauty, brains and ability when we see it, but it doesn’t mean that this is exactly God’s choice. Some on the outside may look as if they were the perfect fit–personable, strong leader, etc… but they may not be. We must always first STOP and check with the Lord.
3) The Heart is the Altar of Life – The Lord reminds us that “Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). The heart is where we are have our sacred alter before the Lord. Our bodies may or may not be impressive. But it’s the heart of man that the Lord is looking at. What is our intent? Does God have a home there?
4) Rejected Ones are sometimes the Gems of Glory – When Jesse is asked to gather his sons, he leaves David out to tend to the sheep. Jesse could have had someone else, or even hired someone to help, but he didn’t. For me it seems pretty clear, not overtly, but David was rejected by his family. A father in normal circumstances would have been proud to have any son as King, but there was something about David that they didn’t want or like. Surprising as he was considered very attractive, very talented musically and very responsible as well. Perhaps they were jealous.
We see this in several other instances where David has almost a sense of rejection when he says, “What have I done now?” (1 Sam 17:29; 1 Sam 29:8). Sometimes it is the rejected who have God’s greatest favor.
5) Powered by the Spirit – Samuel anointed David with oil when he was chosen, and the “Spirit of the LORD took control of David from that day forward” (1 Sam 16:13). David’s heart and character were pleasing to the Lord, but it was the Spirit of the Lord upon him that would enable him to lead as King with God’s help. We can be people of heart and good character, but it the Spirit of the Lord that enables us to fulfill the calling on our lives.
