1 Samuel

1 Samuel 16: The LORD looks at the heart

Begin in prayer

Before we go with Samuel to Bethlehem, where the LORD looks at the heart and chooses David, let us pray together. Ask Him to search our hearts, and to show us Jesus, the Son of David.

Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.

Psalm 26:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You look at the heart, and help us to come to You with honest hearts. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD told Samuel to stop mourning for Saul, and to go to Bethlehem to anoint a king from among Jesse’s sons. Samuel was afraid of Saul, but the LORD told him to take a heifer and invite Jesse to a sacrifice. The elders of Bethlehem trembled when Samuel came, and Samuel sanctified Jesse and his sons for the sacrifice. Samuel saw Eliab and thought he was the one, but the LORD said, “Don’t look on his face.” Seven sons passed before Samuel, and the LORD had chosen none of them. The youngest, David, was keeping the sheep, and the LORD said to anoint him. The Spirit of the LORD came mightily on David, and later David played the harp when the evil spirit troubled Saul.

As you read 1 Samuel 16, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD looks at the heart, not the outward appearance, and He chooses David.

The LORD told Samuel to stop mourning for Saul and go to Jesse of Bethlehem, where He had chosen a king (verse 1). Samuel feared Saul, so the LORD told him to bring a heifer and say he came to sacrifice (verses 2 and 3). Samuel took Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice, and he thought tall Eliab must be the LORD's anointed (verses 5 and 6). Saul stood taller than every other man (chapter 9 verse 2), and the LORD told Samuel not to look at Eliab's height (verse 7). The LORD sees the heart, and man sees the face. Seven sons passed by, and the LORD chose none of them, but the youngest was keeping the sheep (verses 10 and 11). Samuel anointed David among his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily on him from that day on (verse 13). At the same time the Spirit left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him (verse 14). The LORD chooses whom He will, and He looks at the heart that we cannot see.

How does 1 Samuel 16 show us that the LORD looks at the heart, not the outward appearance, and that He chooses David?

The LORD does not look at outward appearance.

Eliab was tall, and Samuel thought the LORD's anointed stood before him (verse 6). The LORD said not to look at his face or the height of his stature, because He had rejected him (verse 7). The LORD does not see as man sees. Saul was the tallest in Israel (chapter 9 verse 2), and the LORD had rejected him too (verse 1).

The LORD chooses whom He will.

Seven sons passed before Samuel, and he said the LORD had chosen none of them (verses 8 to 10). The youngest, David, was keeping the sheep, because Jesse had left him there (verse 11). The LORD said, Arise, anoint him, for this is he (verse 12). Bethlehem was David's town, and Christ the Lord was born there, in David's city (Luke 2 verse 11).

The Spirit of the LORD came on David.

Samuel anointed David in the middle of his brothers (verse 13). The Spirit of the LORD came mightily on David from that day forward (verse 13). The same Spirit left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him (verse 14). David came to Saul to play the harp, and Saul was refreshed (verses 21 to 23).

Memorise

For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what does the LORD see in my heart, and what must I bring to Jesus?

Samuel looked at tall Eliab and thought he was the one. Then the LORD said, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.” The LORD chose David, the youngest, who was keeping the sheep.

God sees our hearts, and what He sees is sin. No good looks, good family or good works can hide it from Him. Jesus was born in Bethlehem as the Son of David, and on the cross He gave His life as a ransom for sinners. Three days later God raised Him, and His work for sinners is finished in full.

Bring your heart to Him just as it is. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. He gives forgiveness to every sinner who trusts Him, and He makes the heart new.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God looks at the heart, and that Jesus is the Son of David, the Anointed King. Parents, you may want to explain verse 14 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He knows our hearts, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness.

Psalm 147:11

Father, You see our hearts as they are. Thank You that Jesus is the Son of David, and that He is pleasing to You. Show us the sins we hide, and help us to turn from them and trust Him. Keep our hearts close to You this week. Amen.