By: Paula Short
"Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the boys?" And he said, "The youngest is still left, but behold, he is tending the sheep." So Samuel said to Jesse, "Send word and bring him; for we will not take our places at the table until he comes here." 1 Samuel 16:11— NASB
Samuel was a prophet for the Lord. His job was to tell the people of Israel the information that God told him to report. From time to time, God gave Samuel special tasks.
The Israelite citizens began to demand a king, so God sent Samuel to anoint Saul. But Saul was not devoted to God, so He rejected him. He then required Samuel to anoint another king, one from the line of Jesse.
Samuel traveled to Bethlehem as the Lord had advised him. Once there he cleansed Jesse and his sons. The oldest caught his eye. He was sure God meant for this young man to be the next king.
"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7— NASB
Samuel looked at each of the sons, but something was wrong. The Lord didn't pick any of them. Samuel was puzzled. What did this mean? Then he had an idea. He asked Jesse, "Do you have any more sons?"
Jesse said yes, telling him his youngest was in the field tending the sheep. Samuel asked to meet him. This was the boy God chose.
"So he sent word and brought him in. Now he was reddish, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." 1 Samuel 16:12— NASB
God had warned Samuel against judging by appearance alone. When people try to judge by outside appearance, they may overlook quality individuals who lack the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Appearances don't reveal what people are really like or what their true value is.
Fortunately, God Judges by faith, Not appearance.
Can you relate to being overlooked by friends, family, or an employer? Rest assured that David was not overlooked in the end. For his Heavenly Father saw him and blessed him richly all the days of his life. And you will be too.
Reflections
How can you relate to this story?
Have you made misperceptions based on someone's outward appearance?
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