February 26, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Role Reversal

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Opening Prayer

Lord, I listen for Your still, small voice, comforting, guiding, calling. Speak, Lord, I am waiting and listening.

Read 1 SAMUEL 16:1-23

[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 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.” 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. [14] Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. [15] Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. [16] Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” [17] So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” [18] One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.” [19] Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” [20] So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. [21] David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. [22] Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” [23] Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:20,21).

God’s choice of David is the theological crux of 1 Samuel. It goes against the expectation that the eldest son (of Saul as well as of Jesse) would later be king. It emphasizes that having a heart beating with God’s heart is more important than lineage, birth order, appearance or perfection, although the Creator apparently enjoys good physical specimens of his creation! The relationship with God is what is most important. David must have wondered what it all meant, especially as, while experiencing God’s hand on himself, he witnesses Saul suffering the opposite.

There is no public recognition yet that Saul will be replaced but, in the meantime, he becomes increasingly dependent on David. It is an irony that he himself brought David to the seat of power by his own actions. Even David becoming the Goliath-slaying hero is a result of Saul’s deterioration. Saul was chosen to protect his people from the Philistines; earlier in his life he would have been the man in the breach against the giant, perhaps even responding to the challenge to single combat (1 Sam. 17:8,9), but he has lost both God’s favor and his own confidence and does not have the insight to perceive that his mental state is a consequence of his attitudes and actions. Only Samuel can see that the scene is being set for the royal transition.

What did David’s brothers make of this anointing? The eldest, Eliab, has only contempt for his little brother, who was assigned shepherd duties (1 Sam. 17:28). Later when their positions are changed, he may be the Elihu whom David appointed ruler of Judah (1 Chron. 27:18). Another reversal! But for now it is perhaps just as well the meaning is hidden, or David may have suffered a fate like Joseph at the hands of jealous siblings. It is enough, for now, to be in Saul’s sights.

Apply

As you look back on the last year or so, what changes can you see God bringing into your life? How are you handling them? What are you learning from them?

Closing prayer

Mighty God, I’m in constant need of Your renewing activity in my life. I do not want to be cast aside because I have lost my heart for You.

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