“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.”10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.”11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” 1 Samuel 16.7-11
This passage is far too good to rush through. The selection of David is one of the greatest stories in the Bible, filled with countless lessons for faith and life.
Here we stand with Samuel before the house of Jesse, with a host of strapping young men before us. One by one, Jesse’s sons pass before the prophet. Not Eliab, not Abinadab, not Shammah, nor any of the other four sons who stood before Samuel, was the one. “For man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” And each time a son passed by, Samuel would reply, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”
How must these young men have felt? They were strong, smart, and impressive in stature. They were the best of the best—the cream of the crop. Yet, unlike King Saul, God did not choose the tallest, strongest, or best-looking young man. God went for the heart.
You remember the story. Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” And Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest; he is tending the sheep.”
Have you ever felt unseen, unheard, unnoticed? Have you ever done menial tasks without recognition? Have you ever felt so alone and unappreciated that you were almost forgotten? I wonder if David felt this way—working in the fields, tending sheep, the youngest son assigned to the lowliest of tasks.
There is a word for us today, and it is “appreciation.” David, the youngest, smallest, and least likely of eight brothers, was seen by God. It’s not unlike Jesus, who, though He was the Son of God, was born to a virgin in a barn in a remote town in a tiny country—a baby, the most unlikely Savior.
This Christmas season, we can rest in the knowledge that when God chose Jesus, He chose all of us. He selects us to be His children, to experience His love, and to know the kindness of His Spirit. We are not alone—God is with us.
“O Lord, it’s Advent, the week of Christmas, and You are with us. We love You, Lord. We thank You for Your salvation and for choosing us, just as You chose David—the weakest, loneliest, smallest, and most insignificant. For when I am weak, then I am strong in You. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with Your love. Let this Christmas be a moment of Your light shining not only to me but through me. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.