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MAY 7
Saul needed to see that his real worship was indicated by his behavior and not by his sacri-
fices. He demonstrated himself to be an idolater whose idol was himself. He had failed the condi-
tions (12:13–15) which would have brought blessing on the nation. His disobedience here was on
the same level as witchcraft and idolatry,sins worthy of death (v.23).“Because you have rejected the
word of the LORD,He also has rejected you.”A universal principle is given here that those who con-
tinually reject God will one day be rejected by Him. The sins of Saul caused God to immediately
depose Saul and his descendants forever from the throne of Israel.

not see as man sees; for man looks at the out-
May 7 ward appearance, but the LORD looks at the
heart.”
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So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him
pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has
1 Samuel 16:1–17:58
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the LORD chosen this one.” Then Jesse made
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has
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16 will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have the LORD chosen this one.” Thus Jesse made
rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And
your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not cho-
Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided sen these.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all
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Myself a king among his sons.” the young men here?” Then he said, “There
And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul remains yet the youngest, and there he is,
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hears it, he will kill me.” keeping the sheep.”
But the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring
and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ him. For we will not sit down till he comes
Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will here.” So he sent and brought him in. Now
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show you what you shall do; you shall anoint he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-look-
for Me the one I name to you.” ing. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for
So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went this is the one!” Then Samuel took the horn
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to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trem- of oil and anointed him in the midst of his
bled at his coming, and said, “Do you come brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came
peaceably?” upon David from that day forward. So Samuel
And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to arose and went to Ramah.
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sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and 14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from
come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he con- Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD
secrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them troubled him. And Saul’s servants said to
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to the sacrifice. him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is
So it was, when they came, that he looked troubling you. Let our master now command
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at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed your servants, who are before you, to seek out
is before Him!” a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look it shall be that he will play it with his hand
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at his appearance or at his physical stature, when the distressing spirit from God is upon
because I have refused him. For the LORD does you, and you shall be well.”
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So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me
now a man who can play well, and bring him to
me.”
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Then one of the servants answered and
16:7 his appearance…physical stature. said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the
Samuel needed to be reminded that God’s Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a
anointed was not chosen because of physical mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in
attributes.This was initially a difficult concept speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD
for Samuel as he was accustomed to a king is with him.”
whose only positive attributes were physical.the 19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse,
LORD looks at the heart.The Hebrew concept of
“heart” embodies emotions, will, intellect, and and said, “Send me your son David, who is with
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desires.The life of the man will reflect his heart the sheep.” And Jesse took a donkey loaded
(see Matt.12:34,35). with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and
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sent them by his son David to Saul. So David
came to Saul and stood before him. And he
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