< 1 Samuel 16 >

The LORD had rejected Saul from being king and had chosen “a man after his own heart”, therefore Samuel was sent to anoint this man to be king over Israel.v.11 Samuel 16:1XWaiting for response He lived in Bethlehem with his father Jesse, so the prophet was sent there. Samuel did not know which of Jesse’s sons was to be king but he was greatly impressed by the look of the eldest.v.61 Samuel 16:6XWaiting for response However, God is not impressed by appearance but by character: “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”.v.71 Samuel 16:7XWaiting for response Seven sons were brought before Samuel but none of them was chosen by God, then the eighth and youngest, David, was called and chosen, therefore Samuel anointed him to be king of Israel.vs.11-131 Samuel 16:11-13XWaiting for response

David’s hometown was Bethlehem and God arranged, by his providence a thousand years later, for his anointed, the greater son of David to be born in this same “the city of David”.

It is significant that David was tending the sheep, because God later declared he had taken David “from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel” 2 Samuel 7:8.2 Samuel 7:8XWaiting for response His experience in protecting the sheep against wild animals was invaluable in preparing him to deliver Israel from her human enemies. As soon as David was anointed with oil, the Spirit of the LORD came upon him while at the same time the Spirit departing from Saul. It was years, however, before David ruled over Israel for, like Jesus, he had to endure a period of suffering before ascending the throne.