“Chosen To Replace…!”(I Sam.16:1-14).
Our focus today is on the call of David, identified to become the secong king of Israel. David was earmarked for anointing because the Spirit of God was no longer with Saul.
Saul was “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites…”(I Sam.9:2). Samuel who anointed Saul as first king of Israel seemed to have judged by outward appearance. He told the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.”(I Sam.10:23).
Samuel still did not come to the full understanding that looks are deceptive. When he saw Eliab he thought, “Surely ‘the Lord’s anointed’ stands here before the Lord.” God told him, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” True beauty is within, not what we see outside.
David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons. He was out tending cattle. His father did not think it was necessary to bring him for the worship.
Young David was brought in and he was God’s choice! As soon as Samuel anointed David, “from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” Meanwhile “the Spirit of God had departed from Saul, and an evil Spirit from the Lord tormented him.”
Some few take home lessons among the many:
- God asked Samuel to anoint a new king while the reigning king was still on the throne. This tells us that not all reigning kings are still having God’s approval.
- Like Samuel we shouldn’t be fooled by looks. God is interested in the content of the heart – the inner man.
- When Samuel saw Eliab he said, “Surely ‘the Lord’s anointed’…” Samuel went to anoint a new king. But that was only to ratify in public what God had already done. God already anoints before the public ceremony of human anointing.
- Whenever God calls it is to serve him through service to humanity. A king is a servant of the people.
- No-one is irreplaceable! Our benefits are sometimes the results of the wrong moves of others.
- When God’s anointing is on you the Spirit of the Lord comes upon you in power.
In his days as king, when David fell into mischief he felt remorse because he remembered vividly what happened to Saul. So he cried to the Lord, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me out from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me”(Ps.51:10-11).
Prayer: Spirit of the Lord come afresh upon me with power and empower me for the work of my anointing. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev. Babila Fochang.