Day 5 – 1 Samuel 16:7 - 11
1 Samuel 16:7-10 Summary
Verse seven details the LORD correcting Samuel not to judge by outward appearance or stature, for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
In verse eight we find Jesse calling Abinadab to pass before Samuel, who declares that the LORD hath not chosen this one.
In verse nine we see Jesse making Shammah pass by, with Samuel stating that the LORD hath not chosen this one.
Finally in verse ten we find Jesse making seven of his sons pass before Samuel, who says unto Jesse that the LORD hath not chosen these.
\\Personal Scripture Reflection\\
Personal Scripture Reflection
1 Samuel 16:11
"And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither."
At this point in the scripture, Samuel has already seen Jesse's sons pass before him. Seven have stood there, and seven have been rejected. What was visible and impressive was not what God was looking for. We talked about this in verse six and seven.
The word youngest here carries the idea of least, one of the lowest rank or importance, the last considered. Jesse does not mention David by name. He simply says, "there remaineth yet the youngest." It was as though he didn't even consider him.
We are also told David was keeping the sheep. The word carries the idea of guarding, tending, watching over something that belongs to someone else. While his brothers stood before the prophet, I have written in my Bible, David was out of sight, doing ordinary, unnoticed work.
What I notice here is that Samuel had to ask the question:
"Are here all thy children?"
Even Jesse seemed content to leave David where he was. But God was not.
I see myself in this verse more than I care to admit. I often dismiss the "least" in my life, assuming importance comes from the obvious or prominent. Like Jesse not even calling David initially, I overlook small opportunities or people, thinking God's work favors the extraordinary. Now it makes sense in Ruth 4:17, when the Bible says: "There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David"
Just an ordinary family with ordinary people which God used in an extraordinary way. God is not limited by what others consider important. The Lord knew exactly where David was, even when no one else thought to bring him in.
Sometimes the most important work God is doing in us happens while we are tending something small, unseen, and seemingly ordinary. I interact with as many kids in church as I can. At times I wonder whether it matters. But it's encouraging when parents come up to me and tell me their kids love me or think I'm funny.
I pray the Lord helps me value the "youngest" moments in my walk with Him, tending faithfully like David, and anticipating his call.
Before David is ever called, anointed, or recognized, he is simply found being faithful where he was left.