The truth behind David's anointing and why it matters to us.
Let’s be real—how often do we get caught up in what’s on the outside? Whether it’s scrolling through Instagram, comparing ourselves to others, or even how we see our own worth, we often judge by appearances. But God? He doesn’t play that game. In 1 Samuel 16, when God chose David, He looked past all the surface stuff and saw something much deeper. This isn’t just a Bible story—it’s a gut check for all of us. Let’s dig into what really matters in God’s eyes and how we can start seeing ourselves and others the way He does. It’s time for some heart talk, no filters, just the raw truth.
Let's start off with a little backstory from I Samuel 16:1-13
Verse 1: God tells Samuel to stop mourning over Saul, whom He has rejected as king because of Saul’s disobedience. God instructs Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the new king.
Verses 2-3: Samuel is worried that Saul might kill him if he hears about this. God reassures Samuel and tells him to take a sacrifice to Bethlehem, inviting Jesse to the sacrifice so that he can meet his sons.
Verses 4-5: Samuel obeys and goes to Bethlehem. The elders of the town are nervous when they see Samuel, but he calms them down and invites them to the sacrifice. Jesse and his sons are also invited.
Verses 6-10: Jesse’s sons are presented before Samuel one by one. Samuel sees Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son, and thinks he must be the one God has chosen because of his impressive appearance.
Verse 7 (Key Verse): But the Lord says to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Verses 8-10: Samuel continues to see all of Jesse’s sons, but God doesn’t choose any of them.
Verses 11-13: Finally, Samuel asks Jesse if he has any more sons, and Jesse mentions David, the youngest, who is out in the fields tending sheep. When David is brought in, the Lord tells Samuel that David is the one, and Samuel anoints him with oil. The Spirit of the Lord comes powerfully upon David from that day on.
Understanding Verse 7 (NLT):
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”
This verse is incredibly powerful and speaks directly to how God views people versus how we, as humans, tend to view others.
What We See vs. What God Sees
What We See: Let’s be honest—most of us have gotten caught up in the surface stuff. We can be drawn to what’s flashy, what looks good on the outside. Whether it’s someone’s appearance, their social status, or how confidently they carry themselves, we often judge based on what we can see. Eliab had all the right ingredients for a king—tall, good-looking, and probably oozing charisma. He looked like someone who could lead a nation.
What God Sees: But God? He’s not fooled by any of that. He’s not interested in the packaging; He’s all about what’s inside. God is checking out the heart—the real you, your character, your intentions, the stuff that actually matters. David didn’t look like much from the outside, especially compared to his brothers. But God saw something deeper in David, something that everyone else overlooked. David had a heart that beat in sync with God’s will, and that’s what made him God’s choice.
What Does ‘Heart’ Really Mean?
The Heart: When we talk about the heart in this context, we’re not just talking about feelings or emotions. We’re talking about the core of who you are—the real you. It’s the part of you that’s hidden from the world, the place where your true thoughts, desires, and intentions live. It’s who you are when no one else is around. God’s not interested in how well you can put on a show; He’s looking for integrity, humility, and a heart that genuinely seeks Him.
David was called a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), not because he was perfect—far from it—but because deep down, his heart was in tune with God’s. David messed up plenty, but his heart was always pointed toward God, and he wanted to live in a way that pleased Him. That’s what God values.
God’s Rejection of Superficial Standards
Our world is obsessed with appearances. We live in a culture that worships the superficial, where people get famous for looking good and flaunting it, like a Kardashian at a red carpet event. But God? He’s not playing by those rules. When He rejected Eliab, it was a wake-up call: what looks good on the outside can be totally off the mark when it comes to God’s plans. God doesn’t care about how impressive you are by the world’s standards; He’s all about who you are deep down, where it really counts. His choices are rooted in wisdom that sees beyond the facade, straight to the core of who we are.
What This Means for Us
This is where it gets real. That verse isn’t just about Eliab; it’s a gut check for all of us. Are we too focused on the outside—our achievements, our looks, our status? Do we spend more time worrying about what others think of us than about who we are before God? Maybe it’s time to shift our focus. God’s asking us to dig deeper, to work on our hearts. That might mean getting humble, owning up to our flaws, and chasing after what really matters—integrity, honesty, and a heart that’s genuinely seeking God. Even when it’s tough, even when no one else is watching, that’s where true value lies.
Bringing It Home
David’s story is proof that God’s choices don’t always line up with human expectations. He doesn’t pick the most obvious candidate; He picks the one whose heart is in the right place. So, when you think about this passage, ask yourself: What does God see when He looks at my heart? Are there parts of your life that need a little more attention, where you could align your desires and intentions more closely with His?
This is an invitation to trust God’s perspective, even when it doesn’t add up in our minds. God’s ways are on a whole different level than ours, and His vision is crystal clear. He sees the real you—the potential, the truth, the heart—and that’s what matters most to Him.
So, as you reflect on 1 Samuel 16:1-13, especially verse 7, let it push you to focus on what truly matters to God. Work on developing a heart that’s pleasing to Him, because in the end, that’s what counts in His kingdom.
Until next time,
Tracee Padilla
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