God Chooses a New King
1 Samuel 16
Theme:God looks at the heart; how we can have hearts perfect before God
Jesus Opening: “Tell us a story, Jesus!” the little girl looked into Jesus’ loving eyes. “Yes, tell us a story,” echoed the other children. “What do you see over on that hill?” Jesus begins. The children shade their eyes from the bright sun and a moment of silence follows. Then, almost in unison, they chorus, “A shepherd watching his sheep!” “Yes, that’s right,” Jesus answers. “And over a thousand years another shepherd boy keep watch over his flocks on the same hills outside of Bethlehem. Who was this? Yes, the boy David.
Opening:David hummed softly as he cuddled the newest addition to his flock—a little lamb. He touched its little pink nose and stroked its fuzzy white ears. So soft, so pure, so gentle. Maybe David thought, “I want to have a heart that’s like this—pure for Jesus.”
David’s Preparation
- In the freshness of boyhood David keeps watch over flocks
- simple shepherd boy composes songs
- with harp made sweet accompaniment to melody of fresh young voice
- David’s brothers were given the bigger, “more important” jobs
- maybe not so hard
- received more recognition from people
- God looking at David’s heart—Q: Where was God looking?
- Q: What did He find in David’s heart?
- Humble Service—“He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For . . . I am among you as he that serveth.” Luke 22:26, 27.
Samuel’s Visit to Bethlehem
- God speaking about “David” to Samuel > 1 Samuel 16: 2, 3
- don’t mourn anymore for Saul
- fill horn with oil and go to Jesse in Bethlehem
- I have provided king among his sons
- take heifer and say come to sacrifice
- anoint him that I name unto thee
- Elders of town trembled at Samuel’s arrival
- “Comest thou peaceably?” they ask
- Samuel answers “Peaceably!”
- Samuel invites elders and Jesse and sons to sacrifice
- Altar built and sacrifice offered
- Before partaking of the offering feast . . .
Samuel’s View of Jesse’s Sons
- Sacrifice ended and inspection of Jesse’s noble-looking sons
- Eliab—eldest, tall and handsome, princely bearing
- prophet’s attention attracted, “This is the king!”
- Samuel waits for divine sanction
- But God not looking on the outward appearance
- Eliab didn’t fear God but was proud and exacting
- Q: What was the word of the Lord to Samuel?
- 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the LORD said unto Samuel, 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.”
-Where does the Lord look? [Children repeat: “The Lord looketh on the heart.”
- application: Does this mean it doesn’t matter how we act, only what’s in our heart?
- Luke 8:17 “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.”
-1 Corinthians 14:25 “And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.”
- James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
- Abinadab—neither hath the Lord chosen this
- Shemmah—neither hath the Lord chosen this
- With painful suspense Samuel looks on last of young men
- All seven sons have passed before Samuel and no word from Lord
- perplexed and bewildered
- Samuel inquires of Jesse
- “Are here all thy children?”
- Jesse: “There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep.”
- Samuel directs that he should be summoned
- “We will not sit down till he come hither.”
God’s View of David
- David, lonely shepherd, startled by unexpected call
- messenger tells him that prophet has come to Bethlehem
- prophet has sent for him
- surprised and questioned why prophet and judge of Israel wants to see him
- David obeys without delay
- Q: What did this action show? [A: What was in David’s heart, an obedient heart]
- Prophet Samuel looks with pleasure upon David
- David was ruddy
- beautiful countenance
- Voice of the Lord spake
- “Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” > 1 Samuel 16:12
-Q: What did God find in David’s heart?
- 1) Poor, 2) Contrite, 3) Trembleth at God’s Word—“To this man will I look,even to him that is poor and of a contrite [smitten in spirit, afflicted] spirit, and trembleth [reverences] at My word.” Isaiah 66:2.
New Depths of David’s Experience
- “The Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.” 1 Samuel 16:13
- Empty of Self (so could be filled with Holy Spirit)
- 2 Corinthians 4:10 “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.’
- Q: What did He find in David’s heart
- Contentment—“Be content with such things as ye have.” Hebrews 13:5.
- David Heard God’s Voice Speaking to Him in Nature
- Cherished God’s Principles in His Life
[Collected Ideas from SOP Below:]
Unless the life-giving truths of God's word, when presented to the conscience, are understandingly received, and then faithfully carried out in the life, no man can see the kingdom of Heaven.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
"The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." This was a lesson that David never forgot, and in his dying testimony to Solomon he said, "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever."
Appeal
What does God see as He looks at your heart? Does He find…? Do you want to tell God, my heart needs some work? Do you want to ask God to come and help you have a perfect heart?
Feeding His Lambs Ministries
PO Box 1275♦ Kettle Falls, WA99141♦ 509.738.2454 ♦
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