Searching for a King: Samuel
Read: 1 Samuel 16:6-12
In school, did you ever pick teams for a game of soccer or basketball during recess? You knew which players you wanted: the fast, the tall, the powerful. You wanted to win.
The prophet Samuel had similar qualities in mind when God sent him to Jesse’s home in Bethlehem to anoint Israel’s future king. Kings had a certain look to them
in those days, a look that helped citizens feel secure. People wanted powerful kings who would protect them against enemies. Back then, kings didn’t just give orders; they often joined the fight, too.
But God was looking for something else. As Samuel began to meet Jesse’s tall, powerful sons, God rejected each of them. He said Samuel should not evaluate the new king by his outward appearance, but by his heart. God told Samuel to anoint the last of Jesse’s sons, a seemingly un-kinglike shepherd boy named David. Samuel obeyed, and after David grew into a young man, he did indeed become king.
Generations later, God said to look to Bethlehem for the new king. And in that humble little city, Israel’s true King was found—taking the form not of a mighty warrior but of a humble child sleeping in a manger.
Reflect
Big decisions often seem to have a clear and obvious answer—until you recognize that God values different qualities.
Pray about It
Ask God to help your family make better choices, ones that guide you all with His wisdom and interest in unseen characteristics.