Chapter 62—David Anointed as King
This chapter is based on
1 Samuel 16:1-13
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David, in the freshness of boyhood, kept watch of his flocks as
they grazed on the hills surrounding Bethlehem. The simple shepherd
sang songs of his own composing, and the music of his harp made a
sweet accompaniment to the melody of his fresh young voice. The
Lord was preparing David for the work He designed to commit to his
trust in after years.
“And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for
Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine
horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for
I have provided Me a king among his sons... . Thou shalt anoint
unto Me him whom I name unto thee. And Samuel did that which
the Lord spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town
trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he
said, Peaceably.” The elders accepted an invitation to the sacrifice, and
Samuel called Jesse and his sons. All the household of Jesse were
present with the exception of David, the youngest son, who had been
left to guard the sheep.
Before partaking of the offering feast, Samuel began his prophetic
inspection of the noble-appearing sons of Jesse. Eliab was the eldest,
and more nearly resembled Saul for stature and beauty than the others.
As Samuel looked upon his princely bearing, he thought, “This is
indeed the man whom God has chosen as successor to Saul,” and
waited for the divine sanction that he might anoint him.
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But Eliab did not fear the Lord. He would have been a proud,
exacting ruler. The Lord’s word to Samuel was, “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.” We may learn
from the mistake of Samuel how vain is the estimation that rests on
beauty of face or nobility of stature. The thoughts of God in relation
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