Appearances

 1 Samuel 16:5-13

In verse four the elders of Bethlehem are in fear of Samuel’s visit, but he instructs them to consecrate themselves, what does that mean?  They were to set themselves apart for God, it is ritual cleanness and that may have involved bathing, clean garments, avoiding contact with a dead body, and not having sex.  Now when it came to Jesse and his sons Samuel may have overseen their consecration at their home. 

How often appearances deceive us, have you been disappointed after ordering a dessert that looked amazing, your taste buds were in great anticipation, only to be totally let down.  Jesse’s son Eliab looked like king material to Samuel, but this is what the LORD said to Samuel.  “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 sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”  How often I’ve been guilty of doing that, we put on appearances, and often we judge others with no understanding of their heart.  So Jesse calls Abinadad and Samuel is paying more attention to God than the appearance of the man, a great place to find oneself.  The third son Shammah is called and once more Samuel states that the LORD has not chosen him.  And after seven sons have been paraded by, Samuel is wondering what is going on, has he misunderstood what God has said?

From frustration to excitement, that is where Samuel finds himself as he asks Jesse, is this all of your sons?  And this is both Jesse’s reply and Samuel’s taken from verses 11-13, “Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

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