1 Samuel Chapter 16

After reading the last few chapters where Saul continued his downward spiral of faith and obedience, God had enough of him and told Samuel to anoint a new king in place of Saul.

At first Samuel was afraid to go and anoint a new king – in case Saul come to hear of it and kill him. But like what Samuel has done since young, he heard God and obeyed Him.

We are familiar with the story of the selection process for the next king.

In the house of Jesse, one by one of seven eldest sons was paraded before Samuel. Each time a son was introduced to Samuel, he thought that this was the one – based on height, looks and stature. But God rejected everyone of the 7 sons.

Just went Samuel must have wondered if he was in the wrong Jesse’s house was it revealed that there was another son – the youngest – David!

And when David came in, God told him. “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”(vs 12)

Thereby teaching us the lesson of what God told Samuel when he thought that Eliab – the eldest – was surely the next king based on his appearance.

“Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. 
For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.”
~ verse 7

How many of us make that mistake every day?

Last week after Sabbath, my wife and I went to buy some fruits for dinner. And the store holder was trying to get us to buy some lychees. But the skin of the lychees were all green and did not look ripe.

So we dismissed it saying it looks unripe and would not taste good. But the store holder insisted that it would be sweet. He even told us to take a picture when we peel the first one and take a bite – cause we will surely be back for more.

And true enough … what was inside was very different from the outside! It was juicy and sweet … a very satisfying way to end dinner.

God looks at the condition of our heart. He is not fooled by our outward appearance.

Jesse did not think much of his youngest. So much so he even forgot about him when introducing his sons to Samuel. But God has His heart-radar on. He knew the heart of David and that David had the heart for God.

What is our heart like today?

Is it a heart that is always listening to God? We all say that Samuel was a great prophet but even he made a mistake here where he made a very human judgement and considered the sons according to their stature. But he was quick to correct this mistake and from then on listened to God and waited for God’s instructions.

The Bible has many verses about the heart. Let us read the following verses as a reflection for ourselves today… When God has use for us and sees our heart … will we be rejected like the 7 sons or will we be the one that God says, “this is the one!”.

My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
~ Proverbs 3:1-6 ~

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
~ Matthew 6:21 ~

The wise in heart will receive commands,
But a prating fool will fall.
~ Proverbs 10:8 ~

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
~ Psalm 19:14 ~

As I started compiling these verses about our heart … I quickly realised that there are a lot of verses in the Word of God that talk about this.

And it is no wonder… for our heart is so important to God and we must get our heart right before God.

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