1 Samuel 16b Commentary
“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.”
Could it be that the great prophet was tempted to consider candidates based on their appearance?
And who would blame him? Saul was the LORD’s choice, and his appearance was impressive!
Or could it be a subtle reference to disastrous Saul’s features? He was described as handsome and a head above the rest.
Yes, David is handsome, but it’s not this feature that qualifies him.
Going by the reaction of Bethlehem’s leaders, the aged judge was deeply respected. But not even this status was going to stop murderous Saul from harming the prophet. Evil is evil; it harms everything around it, including self.
There isn’t a neutral place. The absence of the Spirit of God means the presence of evil spirits. Their mission is to torture Saul.
But evil spirits won’t stand worship – godly music, hence the presence of a worshipper in David at the palace. We know a lot about David’s physical battles, but less is known about his spiritual battles – battles against evil spirits.
The appointment of David speaks volumes about God’s ways. David was always a long-term project. It would appear the LORD God boxed humanity in time and space, but the LORD God Himself doesn’t live in that box!
A love story about Boaz and Ruth (Book of Ruth) looks ordinary. But the LORD God is out and about pulling strings. While David is in the factory, Saul is on the shelf but selling badly. The LORD God has Saul’s replacement before the first customer complaint arrives!
There are no random events for the saint. Ponder.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 