Sunday 9 October, 2016

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you be filled with sorrow because of Saul? I have refused to have him as king over Israel. Fill your animal horn with olive oil and go on your way. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? Suppose Saul hears about it. Then he’ll kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a young cow with you. Tell the elders of Bethlehem, ‘I’ve come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. Then I will show you what to do. You must anoint for me the one I point out to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord said. He arrived at Bethlehem. The elders of the town met him. They were trembling with fear. They asked, “Have you come in peace?” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, I’ve come in peace. I’ve come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Set yourselves apart to him and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he set Jesse and his sons apart to the Lord. He invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab. He thought, “This has to be the one the Lord wants me to anoint for him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider how handsome or tall he is. I have not chosen him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outside of a person. But the Lord looks at what is in the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called for Abinadab. He had him walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord hasn’t chosen him either.” 9 Then Jesse had Shammah walk by. But Samuel said, “The Lord hasn’t chosen him either.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said to him, “The Lord hasn’t chosen any of them.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these the only sons you have?” “No,” Jesse answered. “My youngest son is taking care of the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him. We won’t sit down to eat until he arrives.” 12 So Jesse sent for his son and had him brought in. He looked very healthy. He had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Get up and anoint him. This is the one.” 13 So Samuel got the animal horn that was filled with olive oil. He anointed David in front of his brothers. From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on David. Samuel went back to Ramah.

God is ready to move on, He has rejected Saul as king over Israel, although Samuel is still grieving. He instructs and guides Samuel to anoint another. God again chooses someone that most would overlook. A youth, the youngest of the 8 sons of Jesse, not even his father thought twice about presenting him to Samuel. But God sees the heart and the king David will become.

This is a much known passage, the anointing of David as the next king of Israel. However what has stopped me is noticing how quickly, even though sorry (1 Sam 15:35), God moves on. He even chides Samuel & basically says “come on, lets go”. This has made me wonder how many times God has been ready to move me along but I have stayed put in the grief, the hurt, the disappointment, the negative place where things have not turned out the way I’ve expected, the rut? I’ve been looking back, like Samuel, instead of asking God what could be next, this can be a tough thing to do, though this passage shows me that God keeps moving and so I need to also.

Lord, I do not want to miss when you are moving. Help me today to not focus on the downfalls but to keep my eyes on you & where you are leading next.

Written by Suzie Hodgson