Bible Verse
The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
I Samuel 16:7 NLT
Bible Truths
- God keeps His promises. (Week 3)
- God wants to communicate with us. (Week 9)
- It takes faith to please God.
Focus
Last week we learned that the Israelites rejected God’s chosen leaders. Instead, they wanted a king like all their neighbors. God gave them Saul. He was good looking and taller than others. He even came from an important family. He looked like a good king. However, Saul had a problem with pride and anger. He didn’t make wise decisions. Also, he didn’t listen to God. He wanted to do things his way and not God’s.
God selects a new king.
Day 1
Watch God‘s New King Part 1.
Day 2
Watch God’s New King Part 2.
Day 3
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”
2 But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
“Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.”
4 So Samuel did as the Lord instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?”
5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too.
6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
I Samuel 16:1-13 NLT
- Why was David chosen to be king?
- Saul looked like a king. He was was good looking and from a good family. Why was God unhappy with him?
- In verse 7 what instructions did God give Samuel for selecting a new king?
God is more concerned about our hearts and attitudes than our appearances. David wasn’t perfect, but he loved God and obeyed him. God rewarded David’s obedience with a promise that some very special would come from David’s family – the Savior of the world. God was faithful and kept that promise. Many years later, Jesus was born to of David’s descendants, Mary and Joseph. Jesus was born in David’s hometown of Bethlehem. Jesus came to bring be the Savior of the world.
Day 4
David is often described as “a man after God’s own heart.” David was a gifted musician who loved God. We can learn a lot about David from his writings. David wrote many of the Psalms or songs. The book of Psalms is a collection of worship songs used by the Israelites.
Read Psalm 24
Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.5 They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Psalm 24 NIV
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.
Day 5
Read 2 Chronicles 16:9a
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
2 Chronicles 16:9a
- What promise does God make to those who love him?
- What does it mean to be fully committed to God?
God looks at our attitudes and thoughts and not just what we do for him. Remember that God loves you.
Keep growing in grace. — Dee