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The Beginning of the End
creatures are above our finite minds. But if they will submit their
will to God, His children will be brought to fill the place for which
they are qualified, and enabled to accomplish the work committed
to their hands.
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The Shepherd Boy Is Called to the Feast
Eliab passed from Samuel’s inspection, and the six brothers who
were at the service followed one after another for the prophet to
observe them. But the Lord did not indicate that He had chosen
any one of them. With painful suspense, Samuel had looked at the
last of the young men. Puzzled and perplexed, he asked, “Are all
the young men here?” The father answered, “There remains yet the
youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” Samuel directed that
he be called. “We will not sit down until he comes here.”
The lonely shepherd was startled by the unexpected call of the
messenger who announced that the prophet had come to Bethlehem
and had sent for him. Why should the prophet and judge of Israel
want to see him? But he obeyed the call without delay.
“Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good looking.” As
Samuel saw the handsome, manly, modest shepherd boy, the voice
of the Lord spoke: “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one.” David had
proved himself brave and faithful in the humble office of a shepherd,
and now God had chosen him to be captain of His people. “Samuel
took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of [from among]
his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that
day forward.” With a relieved heart the prophet returned to Ramah.
The ceremony of anointing David had been performed in secret.
It was an indication to him of the high destiny awaiting him, so that
during all the dangers of his coming years, this knowledge might
inspire him to be faithful to the plans that God wanted to accomplish
through his life.
The great honor conferred on David did not make him proud.
As humble and modest as before his anointing, the shepherd boy
returned to the hills and watched his flocks. But he composed his
melodies and played his harp with new inspiration.
Before him lay a landscape of rich and varied beauty. He saw the
sun flooding the heavens with light, like a bridegroom coming out of