https://odb.org/2026/09/21/the-heart-of-the-matter
1 Samuel 16:6–12 (NIV): 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “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.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
When we make assumptions, we base them on external factors that may not have any bearing on the moment. It’s helpful to recall the story of David’s selection as future king of Israel. As the prophet Samuel considered Jesse’s eldest son, he thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord” (1 Samuel 16:6). But God told Samuel, “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” (v. 7). Basing judgments on appearances will lead to wrong conclusions. We do well to let God do the judging. He sees the heart of the matter. (Bill Crowder, Our Daily Bread 21st September 2026)
We all should have heard about this before that God sees our heart. The story of David’s anointing by Samuel perfectly illustrates this principle that although he was the youngest and thus the weakest among Jesse’s sons, the LORD still chose him. Of course, the memo to Samuel was to anoint a particular person, not one of the sons of Jesse. It was target specific. It was in advance, well before David’s time as he was still a young shepherd boy then. Nevertheless, the fact God chose him and not the other sons of Jesse goes to show that the LORD looked beyond physical appearance and into his heart for the future.
Not so much the state of David’s heart at that point but the characteristic of his heart that puts God first – the bible uses the phrase “a man after His heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). It is a characteristic that Saul didn’t have when he offered the offering that only Samuel could because he didn’t want to wait anymore. So it’s from that incident that came the principle – obedience is better than sacrifice. You may read it in 1 Samuel 13 and how Samuel broke it to Saul that God had by then decided to choose someone else to be king).
We know from the narratives recorded in the bible that David had two clear opportunities to take Saul’s life but he didn’t even though Saul was after his life. David held on to the principle not to touch the LORD’s anointed (Psalm 105:15 and 1 Chronicles 16:22) and thus believed that if it’s God’s will that he would be king, then the LORD will make the way for him to ascend the throne. He need not do it himself although he had clear justification to do so – he was already anointed by Samuel as Saul’s successor and Saul was out to kill him. David had a heart that’s fully committed to God. He would never take things into his own hands. In fact when he eventually did with Bathsheba, he suffered immensely.
In our Christian walk, a heart that is always for God is a heart that, amongst others, fully trusts in God. Like in Psalm 147:11 – the LORD delights in those who fear Him and who put their hope in His unfailing love. David is the shining example. He fully trusted God that the day will come when he will replace Saul – it is not his place in the larger scheme of things to engineer that himselfa. God will make all things beautiful in His time.
Have a good week ahead, everyone! Commit our ways to Him, in all things give thanks and trust Him to make our paths straight! Amen! Hallelujah!
Ronnie's Thoughts 