How do we choose leaders? We choose according to certain criteria. Leaders need specific qualities – some natural and some acquired.
How does God choose individuals to be leaders of His people? In these verses that record how David was anointed as king, we learn that God chooses people in ways that surprise even the most intelligent.
Saul, the first king of Israel, was disobedient to God’s command and was rejected by God as king (1 Sam 15:22-23). Then Samuel, the prophet of Israel, set out to choose another king.
1 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 human beings 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.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent 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 on David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
We often choose according to a specific order, in this case, birth order. Even today, we expect the first born to be the king. Prince William has priority over Prince Harry as the future British king.
We choose according to appearances and accomplishments. Saul was the tallest in Israel. We continue to allow appearances to influence our choices. According to a sociological study, most executives are tall and handsome.
But God surprises us at times. God often makes out-of-order choices. He chose Issac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. When choosing the future king of Israel from among Jesse’s sons, God didn't choose Eliab, who was tall and good-looking, the eldest son of Jesse. Nor did He choose any of the other six older sons. Instead, God chose David, the youngest one, the one whom even his own dad did not remember to include in the selection process being conducted by Samuel. God often chooses the least likely, the least significant, the forgotten.
We like to put God in a box. We want to be sure that we know how God works in this world. Yet God is not a god-in-a-box. God doesn’t work according to human preferences, regulations, or standards. The Spirit moves and works like the wind, according to God’s own will (Jn 3:8).
What does that mean to us?
First, it teaches us to be humble whenever we are presumptuous to think we fully know the will of God. None of us truly knows what is in someone else’s heart; in fact, we seldom fully know what is in our own heart. Only God truly sees our heart. Listen to the Lord and always be ready to be changed by the Spirit.
Secondly, it reminds us to prepare new wineskins for new wine (Mark 2:22). We simply cannot cling to old traditions, regulations, or standards. We need to have a new paradigm for God’s new work. It may be disturbing and fearful at times when we feel that things are out of control. But we are comforted to know that God is sovereign and will accomplish what He desires.
Thirdly, it assures us an exciting pilgrim journey of faith. With a God who enjoys to do new things in this world, our journey on earth will not be a boring one. As we walk with a God who loves us with an everlasting love, our journey to eternity is also a secure one with a destiny that is certain.
Let’s pray,
Dear Lord, I thank You that you do not work according to human ways, because Your ways are so much higher than my ways, and Your thoughts than my thoughts. Please continually fill me with Your Spirit, so that I will always be ready to embrace Your leading and Your work in my life, for the glory of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
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