Day 2

IT CAN'T BE HIM SURELY!

"And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he." 1 Sam. 16:12

David's selection as king has almost a fairy tale quality hasn't it? When I was a child I loved to hear stories of the least attractive, least respected or least noticed member of the family suddenly showing some extraordinary skill or talent and becoming the hero or heroine. It really happened to David. Seven of his brothers were presented to Samuel and each one was rejected.

Jesse must have been astonished when he realised the true reason for Samuel's visit (1 Sam. 16:1). He must have been amazed when Samuel selected the 'baby' of the family as God's choice for the next king of Israel. Was there something very special in this young man that his family and friends had missed? It would seem so.

Why did God choose David? Perhaps these texts will help to suggest reasons: 1 Sam. 16:7,12; 17:26,29,32,37,39,45; 18:5,16; 20:1.

How did David gain such qualities?

In God's choice of David we have a warning about jumping to conclusions about someone's worth or their relationship to God. We so often look at outward signs - looks, wealth, cleverness, popularity; God can see inside to what motivates and sustains an individual.

Reading the Gospels we are often surprised by Jesus' view of people for example Zacchaeus, the woman at the well and even the men he chose as the builders of his church!

Lord, help me not to judge by outward appearances but to value those qualities of the heart which are important in your sight.