576
Patriarchs and Prophets
for stature and beauty than the others. His comely features and finely
developed form attracted the attention of the prophet. As Samuel
looked upon his princely bearing, he thought, “This is indeed the man
whom God has chosen as successor to Saul,” and he waited for the
divine sanction that he might anoint him. But Jehovah did not look
upon the outward appearance. Eliab did not fear the Lord. Had he
been called to the throne, 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.” No outward beauty can recommend
the soul to God. The wisdom and excellence revealed in the character
and deportment, express the true beauty of the man; and it is the inner
worth, the excellency of the heart, that determines our acceptance with
the Lord of hosts. How deeply should we feel this truth in the judgment
of ourselves and others. We may learn from the mistake of Samuel how
vain is the estimation that rests on beauty of face or nobility of stature.
We may see how incapable is man’s wisdom of understanding the
secrets of the heart or of comprehending the counsels of God without
special enlightenment from heaven. The thoughts and ways of God
in relation to His creatures are above our finite minds; but we may
be assured that His children will be brought to fill the very place for
which they are qualified, and will be enabled to accomplish the very
work committed to their hands, if they will but submit their will to
God, that His beneficent plans may not be frustrated by the perversity
of man.
Eliab passed from the inspection of Samuel, and the six brothers
who were in attendance at the service followed in succession to be
observed by the prophet; but the Lord did not signify His choice of
any one of them. With painful suspense Samuel had looked upon the
last of the young men; the prophet was perplexed and bewildered. He
inquired of Jesse, “Are here all thy children?” The father answered,
“There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep.”
Samuel directed that he should be summoned, saying, “We will not sit
down till he come hither.”
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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. With surprise he questioned why the prophet and