The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from ruling over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for Myself from among his sons.”

1 Samuel 16:1

There are precise little things one finds when one reads the Bible. In this case, God has already rejected Saul from being king. Yet, years will pass until it actually happens physically.

This exposes the character of God. Though a move is made in eternity, but is not immediately a physical reality.

This is just another example to help us understand that eternity is not encumbered by space-time. This is why the Bible says Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. The death of Jesus is applied even to Adam’s sin. Adam did not suffer the wages of sin. God sought him and covered him.

There is a spiritual reality that is neither synchronous with nor dependent on how time passes for us. Think about that. It is like when we pray, we may not see the answers right away. It’s not because God is slow… Or does not hear. There is a much larger panorama at work than our microscopic part.

It takes faith to pray. First, that He hears. He does. Second, He answers. We may have to exercise patience, endurance, and faith in the meantime. Prayer is heard and answered in a timely and proper way.

Just like with Saul, we get a great lesson on character differences that make one a “man after God’s own heart.” We learn what it is that displeases and pleases God.

Like Samuel, we get stuck mourning what could have been. Then God steps in and shows that our work is not yet complete. When God calls us to go, there may be great trepidation, too.

Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”
And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you will do. And you will anoint for Me him whom I tell to you.”

1 Samuel 16:2–3

If God calls you, He is going before you. It takes patient faith… One must really trust God first. He had a plan for Samuel.

Samuel did that which the Lord spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come in peace?”

1 Samuel 16:4

There was a bit of doom; the elders were concerned that a prophet of God came into town. Especially when the prophet is also a judge and brings a heifer. City leaders were charged with having a ready sacrifice to atone for sins.

And he said, “I have come in peace to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and called them to the sacrifice.

1 Samuel 16:5

Samuel alleviates the concern and invites all to witness what is going to happen.

When they came, he looked on Eliab, and said, “Surely the anointed of the Lord is before Him.”

1 Samuel 16:6

Samuel is enamored with the looks of Jesse’s firstborn. Perhaps his stature and looks were like Saul. Yet God had another lessen for Samuel.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees. For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” So Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all your young men?”
And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is shepherding the flock.”
Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”

1 Samuel 16:7–11

Jesse parades his sons before Samuel one at a time. Jehovah chooses none of these. Perplexed, Samuel asks Jesse if he had any more sons. Yes, there is an eighth. He is a shepherd in the field tending flocks.

Shepherding was the lowest of the low for an occupation. Samuel remained impatient until Jesse’s youngest son arrived. And when he did, he was also striking in appearance.

So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy with beautiful eyes and a good appearance.

1 Samuel 16:12a

This eighth son had a reddish skin color, reminiscent of clay. His eyes drew attention. As did his entire appearance.

And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”

1 Samuel 16:12b

This one is the redemption of Israel God had chosen. The eighth son whose name is David, which means beloved.

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord came on David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 16:13

Samuel anointed David as king in the presence of his brothers. Just as the oil represents the Holy Spirit, being anointed with it signifies the Spirit coming upon someone. The Spirit remained on David from that day forward.

Most know that David did not take the throne while Saul was alive. He also never deposed Saul. From that day forward, David is also king… Yet he does not take his throne until significant time has passed.

This is a foreshadowing of Jesus, Who enters Jerusalem as King and is cut off from the people less than a week later. Jesus has yet to take His throne and remains at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the proper time.

These things are as good as done, but there is a proper time for things.