Following the Trail of God's Promises: The 40-Day ChallengeSample

26. David Anointed King

As we read the text about David’s anointing as king, we witness God’s modus operandi, which has already been seen many times throughout the history of human salvation. God chooses, and gives His trust and a role in His great story to, someone who by appearance, family status, or some other qualification would most likely not meet our own standards if we were the ones choosing. The prophet Samuel comes to Jesse's house knowing that the next king of Israel is there. The seven likely sons brought before Samuel do not meet God’s standards, but yet awaited is the youngest and smallest one. God Himself explains His judgment with the words: “The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Such is God’s surprising intervention in the human evaluation system of that time, according to which the older brother (or brothers) was entitled to a certain right, blessing or God’s favor. This was seen earlier in the case of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph, and many times later, when God chooses the exact opposite from what a person would choose. God simply sees something in a certain person that another person doesn’t see with his own eyes. Later David did many great things for God’s people, but he was far from a perfect man and a perfect king. However, God did not choose him because he was the perfect choice, but because He saw in his heart a value that was not visible on the outside. Despite his imperfection, David found his place in God’s great plan of salvation.