He
said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
1 Samuel 16:11
1 Samuel 16 [7.] But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.” Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.” Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?”
He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
1 Samuel 16 [12.] He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”
1 Samuel 16 [13.] Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the middle
Meaning:
This verse is part of the narrative where Samuel, under God’s direction, anoints David as the future king of Israel. It highlights David’s humble beginnings, his family’s oversight, and God’s choice of a king not based on outward appearances but on the heart.
- Samuel’s Mission:
God’s Rejection of Saul: Earlier, in 1 Samuel 15, God had rejected Saul as king due to his disobedience. God then instructs Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the new king (1 Samuel 16:1).
Jesse’s Sons Presented: Jesse presents his older sons to Samuel, but none are chosen by God. Samuel, aware that God’s chosen one is among Jesse’s children, asks if there are any others, leading to the mention of David.
Significance
- David’s Humble Status:
The Youngest and Least: David, the youngest son, is not even considered by his father as a potential candidate for kingship. He is left tending the sheep, a task often assigned to the least significant member of the family.
Unexpected Choice: This highlights a recurring biblical theme: God often chooses the least likely or the overlooked to fulfill His purposes. David’s role as a shepherd foreshadows his future role as the shepherd-king of Israel.
- God’s Perspective:
Not Based on Appearance: When Samuel first sees Eliab, Jesse’s eldest son, he assumes that Eliab is God’s chosen one based on his appearance. However, God tells Samuel that He looks at the heart, not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
God’s Sovereignty: This selection process emphasizes God’s sovereign will in choosing leaders. He selects those whose hearts are aligned with His purposes, rather than those who merely have the outward qualifications.
- Preparation for Leadership:
Shepherding as Training: David’s experience as a shepherd was not insignificant. Shepherding required courage, care, and responsibility—qualities that would be essential in his role as king. God often prepares His chosen ones through humble and seemingly ordinary experiences.
Theological Reflection
- God’s Choice of the Humble:
God’s Values: This narrative reflects God’s preference for the humble and the overlooked, a theme that runs throughout Scripture (James 4:6, Matthew 5:5). It challenges us to value what God values—integrity, humility, and a heart for Him.
The Heart of a Shepherd: David, described elsewhere as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), is a reminder that God’s leaders are those who prioritize the care and well-being of others, much like a shepherd cares for his sheep.
- God’s Timing and Preparation:
Hidden Preparation: David’s time as a shepherd was not wasted; it was a period of preparation. In our own lives, periods of obscurity or humble service may be God’s way of preparing us for greater responsibilities.
Faithfulness in Small Things: This story encourages faithfulness in small tasks, trusting that God sees and will use even the most mundane aspects of our lives for His purposes.
Practical Applications
- Valuing Humble Service:
Don’t Despise Humble Beginnings: Like David, we may find ourselves in roles that seem insignificant, but God often uses these to develop our character and prepare us for future responsibilities.
Serve with Integrity: Whether we’re in a position of prominence or obscurity, serving with integrity and a heart for God is what matters. God sees and values faithfulness in every task, no matter how small.
- Seeing Potential in Others:
Recognize God’s Choice: Just as Samuel had to look beyond outward appearances, we too should seek to see others through God’s eyes. Don’t overlook the potential in those who might seem unlikely by worldly standards.
Encourage the Overlooked: Be mindful of those who are overlooked or undervalued in your community or workplace. Encourage and support them, recognizing that God often works through those who are on the margins.
Cross-References:
1 Corinthians 1:27-29: "But God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong, and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should boast before God." Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians echo the theme of God choosing the unlikely and the humble, as seen in the selection of David.
Psalm 78:70-72: "He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance. So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands." This Psalm reflects on how God raised David from his humble beginnings to lead Israel with integrity and skill.
Conclusion: 1 Samuel 16:11 offers a powerful reminder that God’s ways are not our ways. While the world may overlook the humble and the insignificant, God sees the heart and values faithfulness in the small things. David’s anointing as king, while he was still a young shepherd, demonstrates that God prepares and chooses His leaders based on their character and heart, not their outward status. This story encourages us to trust God’s timing, serve faithfully in every role, and see the potential in others, knowing that God often works through the least expected.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible