When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:6–7).
God calls Samuel to serve as a prophet, priest, and judge of Israel. Eventually, the elders ask for a king like other nations. Saul is tall, handsome, and looks the part. Saul is anointed the first king of Israel but he doesn’t follow God’s commands wholeheartedly. After some time, Samuel informs Saul that he’ll be replaced by “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).
God sends Samuel to Jesse’s family to anoint one of his sons to reign over Israel. As each son is presented, Samuel thinks, ‘Surely, this is the one’. But one by one, each son is rejected. Samuel asks Jesse if there are any more sons. Oh yeah, there’s David. Turns out the youngest has been left out in the pasture to tend sheep. David is brought before Samuel. God confirms he’s the future king. Samuel anoints him and “the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13).
God looks beyond the appearance of following the rules or looking the part. He sees into the depths of our hearts and knows our fears, desires, and potential. God sees in David what even his own family dismissed. David is far from the perfect king, but he is a man after God’s own heart, chosen to shepherd the people of Israel. From his lineage, the good shepherd will come.
Lord, search our hearts! Forgive us when we discount the qualities you see in other people. Give us a desire to follow you. Change our hearts to reflect yours.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep (John 10:14-15).
