1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him… From the outset of David's life, then, we may draw three important conclusions. First, that God makes choice of those to inherit His best blessings whose hearts He knows to be right. Secondly, to be very cautious in our opinions concerning ourselves. Thirdly, to be equally circumspect in our judgments concerning others. I. First of all it is to be observed, that, when the Scriptures speak of persons as ordained and predestinated to future blessings, IT IS ONLY EITHER BECAUSE THEIR LIVES AND CONVERSATION ARE PLEASING TO GOD, OR, IF NOT BE, BECAUSE HE FOREKNOWS THAT THEY WILL AFTERWARDS PROVE SO. When it is said of Abraham that "he shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him;" a reason immediately follows: "For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment." When the honour of giving existence to John the Baptist is bestowed on Zacharias and Elizabeth, the sacred historian takes pains to inform us that "they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." When Cornelius was chosen to be the first- fruits of the Gentile harvest, we are told: "He was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always." The case of St. Paul, which is ordinarily brought forward as an especial proof of God's arbitrary selection, is, indeed, a confirmation of what we are now saying. The heart of Paul was especially adapted for receiving, embracing, and diffusing the mercies of the Gospel. Man, who looked on the outward appearance, judged otherwise; — Ananias, who knew him only by the fame of his persecutions, would remonstrate with God: "Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name." But the Lord replied as he did to Samuel; he confuted the proud self-complacency of human penetration, with "go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto Me." Similarly in the text, the reason given for the selection of David from all the sons of Jesse is, "the Lord looketh on the heart." The Lord knew the sincerity and the piety of his intentions, and therefore, although he was despised of men, he was accepted of God This conduct of the Lord, with respect to David, is especially important, because it is only a sample of His dealings in regard to ourselves. The Lord is now looking on the heart of everyone amongst us. It should be remembered that the greatest sinner may be anxious to preserve a good reputation with the world, because without this, it would be impossible to maintain a comfortable existence: but it should also be remembered that reputation is not virtue, but only its semblance: and those who strive to obtain a good name are generally successful, since man looketh only on the outward appearance. Doubtless, a good name is a valuable possession; but we are not to suppose that we are good precisely in proportion as we are so reputed. We may act from a desire to stand well with the world, instead of a wish to approve ourselves to God. Regard not the opinion of the world as any standard of your situation in respect of God. Like Eliab, you may win the admiration and affection of the world, and yet not be accepted by God. II. Moreover the Christian will acquire another important lesson from the text, AS REGARDS THE CONSIDERATION OF HIS OWN CONDITION. No one among us ought to esteem himself unhappily circumstanced, whatever may be his situation, or whatever his afflictions. Remember that of the sons of Jesse seven were honoured and esteemed by their father, add among men; one was neglected and despised; yet were all the former rejected by the Lord, while the poor unhonoured David was taken from the sheepfold to be a king and the ancestor of the blessed Messiah. But at the same time remember, that David was not chosen because he was despised among men, but, because his heart was right towards God; poverty and lowliness of estate in themselves give us no title to the favour of God; but the poor who endeavour to do their duty in their station, and the afflicted who bear their afflictions patiently, have no reason to repine: the Lord has looked on their hearts, and pronounced concerning them. III. WHAT THE TEXT INSTRUCTS US WITH REGARD TO OUR JUDGMENTS OF OTHERS. The text shows the extreme unreasonableness, no less than wickedness of such conduct. We can only judge by outward appearance after all: Samuel, a religious man, chosen by God to be His minister and interpreter, is mistaken in his estimate of Eliab: and, after this, we must acknowledge that the wisest among us have little chance of an insight into the character of others, so long as our opinions must be guided by outward appearance. But above all, this incapability of seeing the hearts of men should restrain us from all curious speculation on the characters of those with whom we have no concern. Could we see their hearts as clearly as we can observe their outward conduct, we should still be inexcusable, as frail and fallible creatures, in passing judgment on our brethren: but, as it is, our judgments may be false as they are cruel and criminal: like Jesse, nay, like Samuel, we may despise those whom God has not despised. (H. Thompson, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. |
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