The LORD

Does Not See

As Mortals See

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehmite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is now before the LORD.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks o the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:1-7

God had told the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king to rule His people Israel. David the shepherd did not appear to be kingly material. His youthfulness did not measure up to the age and stature of his older brother Eliab. Yet the LORD corrected Samuel’s original perception. David would go on to become a great warrior and the LORD’s chosen ruler of His people.

The true measure of a person

is what’s in the heart.

Our Daily Bread – June 9, 2005