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1 Samuel 16:1-13

¹ The LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to grieve over Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and get going. I’m sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have found my next king among his sons.” ² “How can I do that?” Samuel asked. “When Saul hears of it he’ll kill me!” “Take a heifer with you,” the LORD replied, “and say, ‘I have come to make a sacrifice to the LORD.’ ³ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will make clear to you what you should do. You will anoint for me the person I point out to you.” ⁴ Samuel did what the LORD instructed. When he came to Bethlehem, the city elders came to meet him. They were shaking with fear. “Do you come in peace?” they asked. ⁵ “Yes,” Samuel answered. “I’ve come to make a sacrifice to the LORD. Now make yourselves holy, then come with me to the sacrifice.” Samuel made Jesse and his sons holy and invited them to the sacrifice as well. ⁶ When they arrived, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, That must be the LORD’s anointed right in front. ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven’t selected him. God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the LORD sees into the heart.” ⁸ Next Jesse called for Abinadab, who presented himself to Samuel, but he said, “The LORD hasn’t chosen this one either.” ⁹ So Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “No, the LORD hasn’t chosen this one.” ¹⁰ Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD hasn’t picked any of these.” ¹¹ Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Is that all of your boys?” “There is still the youngest one,” Jesse answered, “but he’s out keeping the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel told Jesse, “because we can’t proceed until he gets here.” ¹² So Jesse sent and brought him in. He was reddish brown, had beautiful eyes, and was good-looking. The LORD said, “That’s the one. Go anoint him.” ¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him right there in front of his brothers. The LORD’s spirit came over David from that point forward. Then Samuel left and went to Ramah.

Employers have unique sets of criteria when selecting the right persons for leadership positions. They often ask for a variety of personal information to ensure they have a comprehensive picture of the potential employee—resume, financial stability, family information, references—the list is endless. Candidates who seek church planter positions are assessed for many leadership competencies such as visioning, compassion for the lost and the unchurched, spousal support, and personal giftedness.
A formidable task lies before the prophet Samuel. God has rejected Saul as Israel’s king. Samuel is to find his successor in Bethlehem at the house of Jesse, a farmer and sheep owner. In Samuel’s mind, the choice is obvious: Eliab, Jesse’s firstborn. He seemingly has all the qualities people look for in a charismatic leader. To Samuel’s surprise, God offers him a valuable lesson in selecting leadership: “[Mortals] look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” God views matters differently with ways and thoughts that go beyond surface talk and personal observation. God examines the heart.
The Creator God has tirelessly searched for people who hunger and thirst for an intimate relationship. God finds that person in Jesse’s youngest son, David, a shepherd boy whose heart longed for and trusted God. How often do you judge people based on outward appearances? How hungry is your heart for God?

Almighty and loving God, give us the hunger and desire to pursue you with all our heart. Amen.

Rece las Escrituras usando Leccionario en Audio
Leer Mark 4:26-34

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Leccionario Semanal

June 11–17, 2018

Resumen de la Escritura

From a human perspective, we tend to judge people by appearances: how attractive they are, how wealthy they seem to be. God’s standard, however, is not outward appearance but the attitude of the heart. David was the youngest brother in his family, yet God knew his mighty heart and chose him as the next king of Israel. The psalmist declares that God gives victory to those who put their trust in God, not in the outward appearance of might. Jesus reinforces this truth with the parable of the mustard seed. Though the seed appears small, it grows into a robust plant. Paul tells the Corinthians that we should no longer judge people by what we see on the outside, for God changes what really matters—what is on the inside.

Preguntas para la reflexión

• Read 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13. What clear guidance has the Lord given you regarding an area of obedience in your life?
• Read Psalm 20. How has the Lord answered you when you called out during a critical moment in time?
• Read Mark 4:26-34. What prevents you from trusting God to use your testimony to lead others to Jesus Christ?
• Read 2 Corinthians 5:6-17. How does your trust in and obedience to God affect your personal conduct and your attitude toward others?

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1 Samuel 16:1-13

Mark 4:26-34

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