Slices
Prepare
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty’ (Zechariah 4:6). How do you experience this?
Bible passage
Samuel anoints David
16 The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.’
2 But Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.’
The Lord said, ‘Take a heifer with you and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.’
4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, ‘Do you come in peace?’
5 Samuel replied, ‘Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.’ Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’
7 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 made him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ 9 Jesse then made Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, ‘Nor has the Lord chosen this one.’ 10 Jesse made 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.’
Samuel said, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.’
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; this is the one.’
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Explore
Saul’s son Jonathan might well have expected to become king, continuing his father’s line, but God would not have it. So many were Saul’s failings that another line would be started, a line which would extend forward in time to Jesus.
The choice of Jesse’s youngest son as heir apparent points to how God rules as King of kings. He subverts all our expectations of greatness and power. Saul started well in this respect – a member of the lowliest clan in the smallest tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:21). His character flaws, however, showed that he would never grow up. David was a boy among men, yet he was the one God chose, and while he had many flaws he remained faithful in a way that Saul did not.
God takes the long view, seeing the end from the beginning. In his kingdom, unlikely things happen. A tiny mustard seed becomes a huge tree, providing a place for many birds to perch (Luke 13:18,19). A farmer sowing seed produces a massive crop (Matthew 13:8). A fisherman’s nets bulge to the point of bursting (John 21:6). The first are last and the last are first (Matthew 19:30).
Respond
Thank God today that God’s rule in the world is not like ours. Take time to pray for legislators in your own country, that they would model their leadership on Jesus’ example.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezekiel 12,13; James 4
Pray for Scripture Union
The Showtime Collection of Faith Guide resources use the creative arts, such as drama and dance, to provide young people with opportunities to explore the Bible. Pray that as young people engage with God’s Word in this way they might respond to Jesus and grow in faith.
