In Search of the One

“Fill your flask with anointing oil and get going. I’m sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I’ve spotted the very king I want among his sons…When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Here he is! God’s anointed!” 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-12

God sent Samuel to anoint a new King over Israel.  First, Samuel was afraid that the current king would find out.  Second, Samuel was unsure of how God would find a king in Bethlehem.  But, Samuel was obedient to God and went to Bethlehem.  Eliab was the first son of Jesse.  Samuel was so relieved.  He thought it was going to be a long, grueling process but he was lucky.  The first son would be the king.  Eliab looked the part, said all the right words, and was dressed appropriately.  If God could use anyone to be king of Israel, Samuel thought he could use Eliab. 

 ⁷ But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel. Samuel was blunt with Jesse, “God hasn’t chosen any of these.”

God’s qualifications for the next king were quite different from Samuel’s list.  God’s main qualification was a matter of the heart.  God was not interested in how much the person looked like a king, but wanted a person who had the heart of a king.  God wanted to choose someone who would honor him above all things and lead the people unselfishly.  You can’t judge the heart of a person by their hairstyle, stature, or clothes. Samuel was wanting someone who looked like a king; God was wanting someone who acted like a king.

Samuel was discouraged.  If God could not pick one of the sons of Jesse, he probably couldn’t pick anyone in Israel.  Samuel told Jesse that none of his seven sons were going to be king.  Jesse’s pride must have been hit hard.  Then, Samuel had the audacity to ask if there are any other sons.  

 ¹¹ Then he asked Jesse, “Is this it? Are there no more sons?”

   “Well, yes, there’s the runt. But he’s out tending the sheep.”

Samuel probably was getting concerned.  Perfect, the only son left was the runt.  He didn’t even make it to the meeting with the prophet of God.  The runt was overlooked and not invited.  The odds were not in favor for finding a king.

Samuel ordered Jesse, “Go get him. We’re not moving from this spot until he’s here.” 12 Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health— bright-eyed, good-looking.

God said, “Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.”

No one had bothered to tell the eighth son about the family meeting.  Apparently, there were more important things on the agenda.  However, God saw David, the eighth son, while he was tending sheep in the middle of a field.  David probably was left out of everything, but God did not leave him out of His plan.  David was the most unlikely person to be king, but he was the one.  

God is not looking for people who look like they can play the part.  He is searching for people who honor him when they are out in the field all alone and fighting lions and bears with great courage.  David took great care in being faithful with his little flock of sheep.  While nobody thought he would amount to anything, God was preparing David to be a shepherd over the entire nation of Israel. God is looking for people not interested in promoting their own agenda. God is in search of the one.

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