Monday Club Sermons 1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and with of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said… God determines His own methods for accomplishing His own ends. When an evil spirit had come upon Saul, and he had proved himself unworthy longer to reign over Israel, a train of influences was put in operation to bring another and more worthy incumbent to the throne. I. A DIVINE DIRECTING. Samuel was at Ramah. Here the Lord meets him, with the direction to fill his horn with oil and proceed to Bethlehem, where from the family of Jesse is to be taken Israel's future king. Samuel foresaw the difficulty. There would be peril to his life in doing publicly so rash an act as anointing Saul's successor while as yet he sat on the throne. But He who has promised to give wisdom to those who seek, now guided the prophet's way. "Those," says Matthew Henry, "that go about God's work in God's way shall be directed step by step." Thus obeying and praying, the prophet enters the town. The appearance, however, of this man of God in the little village filled the elders with alarm. Too often, in planning even for the Lord's work, His servants fall into as great unwisdom as would the prophet had he openly proclaimed in the streets of Bethlehem, "I am come to anoint Saul's successor." II. A DIVINE SELECTING. God has indicated one to become ruler of the nation. The people had selected Saul; God has appointed David Saul was chosen for qualities which men hold in high esteem; David was appointed because of the spirit which dwelt within. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." Doubtless there was not one in Israel who would have looked on David as suited to become Saul's successor. We learn from this that no choice is wise which Heaven does not direct. Now, as then, if any one seeks wisdom, he must ask it from above. Man often chooses to his hurt because he chooses without God. Now, also, as then, right qualities of heart are needed in positions high or low. Again, we learn that the hope of the matron and the world is in the young. Jesse and his household thought that the child David alight not be invited into the prophet's presence. So think multitudes today. When churches spread their feast, and families gather at the sacramental board, by the absence there of youthful faces, one is often painfully reminded of the question Samuel asked — "Are these all my children?" Parents, Sabbath school teachers, churches, pass not the children by. III. A DIVINE QUALIFYING. Although by Samuel's act the youthful David was now anointed, he was yet to be trained to become a king. This God effected by methods of His own. The lad returned from the feast to his shepherd life. He was, however, preeminently in God's school. He was the same boy, but with his thoughts lifted higher. Significantly is it said that "The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward." Henceforth the ordinary events of life were to him God's messengers — instruments by which he was being fitted for a throne. (Monday Club Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. |
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