Lesson 210 - Senior
Memory Verse
Cross References
I Samuel's Mission to Anoint Another King
1. "I have provided me a king," [1SM:16:1]; [1SM:13:14]; [PS:78:70-72].
2. Jesse of the tribe of Judah is in prophetic line, [GEN:49:10]; [ISA:11:1]; [ACT:13:21-22].
3. Samuel fears Saul, [1SM:16:2-3].
II The Sacrifice at Bethlehem
1. The elders tremble at Samuel's visit, [1SM:16:4-5]; [MAT:2:3].
2. All Jesse's sons present are rejected, [1SM:16:6-10].
3. Man looks on the outward -- God on the heart, [1SM:16:7].
4. David is called from the sheepfold, [1SM:16:11-12]; [JHN:7:3-5].
5. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon David, [1SM:16:13]; [ISA:61:1].
III The Spirit's Departure from Saul
1. The Spirit of the Lord is exchanged for an evil one, [1SM:16:14].
2. David the harpist is sought out by Saul, [1SM:16:15-19].
3. David finds favour in the eyes of Saul, [1SM:16:20-23].
Notes
Instructions to Samuel
"And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?" Samuel mourned for Saul -- very much grieved because of the way Saul had conducted himself. The time came when God said that Samuel had mourned long enough. When someone dies or when one departs from the faith -- which is infinitely worse than death -- it is only natural that those close to him should be affected and mourn the loss. But there comes a time when mourning should cease and the work of the Lord be carried on. "Fill thine horn with oil, and go," was the command of the Lord to Samuel.
When the people of Israel had asked for a king, the Lord told Samuel, "Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king" (I Samuel 8:22), but when he sent Samuel to Jesse, He said, "I have provided me a king among his sons." The eyes of the Lord had penetrated into the hearts of the thousands in Israel and had found a man after His own heart.
Samuel realised the departure of Saul from the Lord, for he said, "If Saul hear it, he will kill me." What a change a few years had made in this son of Kish who once walked among the prophets! Our Saviour warned His disciples, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation" (Matthew 26:41). A good start does not guarantee one a good finish. Jesus said to those Jews, which believed on Him, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" (John 8:31).
Fear and Trembling
When Samuel came to Bethlehem the elders of the town trembled at his coming, which shows the influence and power of this man of God. Often, just the presence of a man or woman of God will cause sinners to tremble under conviction. Ahab must have trembled that day when Elijah met him in the vineyard of Naboth. Felix trembled when Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.
Eliab, a Handsome Man
As the sons of Jesse came before Samuel, he looked on tall, handsome Eliab, and said, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him." How easy it is for man to be mistaken! Man may look upon a person and pronounce him sound; but God, who looks upon the heart, may say he is fun of "wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores" (Isaiah 1:6). Many times hopes arise for someone of great talent to be used in the work of the Lord, but God says, "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." Many a man who has the outward qualifications for a worker in the vineyard of the Lord is refused because his heart is set upon things here below. The Gospel call goes forth to the "whosoever will," but so few are willing to answer.
Eliab was one of those chosen by Saul for his army. He could pass the physical test, and no doubt his I.Q. was high, but the call of God was to a higher calling than that of Saul's army. God has plans far above those of man. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8, 9). How grateful we should be, and how carefully we should walk, that we might be counted worthy to be included in those higher plans! What a privilege is ours! To think that we are called to be kings and priests unto God! Let us guard well our heart lest we, like Eliab, be refused.
Abinadab, the Next in Line
What an opportunity lay before Abinadab the second son of Jesse! A king was to be anointed in his family. His eldest brother had been refused; now it seemed the opportunity was his. A golden moment was before him -- the searchlight of heaven was turned on him. The answer was, "Neither hath the LORD chosen this." He had not prepared himself for this opportunity.
Think of what it will mean when men come before the Judge of all the earth, when all nations are gathered before Him! To some He win say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father"; and to others, "Depart from me, ye cursed." It will be too late then to repent. Another chance? No, not throughout the numberless cycles of eternity. Now is our opportunity to prepare for Heaven. Think of the man to whom Jesus said, "One thing thou lankest." Will he stand there in that day with deep pangs in his heart, saying, "Oh, why didn't I do it"? Will you let anything keep you from hearing that "Come, ye blessed of my Father"? Abinadab passed before Samuel, but the verdict was, "Neither hath the LORD chosen this."
Shammah
"Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by." Shammah was called for Saul's army, but not chosen to lead the army of the Lord. The Lord looks upon the heart, and by Him actions are weighed. What is your response to the call of God? Are you doing everything in your power to be among the chosen ones?
The Other Sons
More of the sons of Jesse stood inspection, but the answer was the same, "The LORD hath not chosen these." Will all the sons of Jesse be turned down? Did not God tell Samuel that He had provided a king from among these sons? Samuel asked Jesse, "Are here all thy children? No, the youngest, the one on whom God had His eye, was out in the field tending sheep. He was just a lad, not even called to the feast with his elder brothers, nor considered among those eligible for the crown. But Samuel said, "Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither."
The Anointing of David
Although David was chosen by God because of the inner qualities of his heart, nevertheless, David also presented a good appearance as he was brought before Samuel. The word of the Lord was, "Arise, anoint him: for this is he." Samuel anointed him in a simple ceremony before his brethren; but, like the character of David, which was deeper than the outward appearance, the anointing was more than pouring oil upon his head. "The Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward."
The Lord who calls also supplies the grace and ability to answer the call, and to fill the place of responsibility. What great things men have accomplished when the Spirit of the Lord came upon them! The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet at a time when Israel was dwelling in dens and caves because of the Midianites. That Spirit was still upon him when, with three hundred men, he defeated the hordes of Midian. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson, and he slew a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. It was the Spirit of the Lord, which came upon David when he was anointed, and that same Spirit later moved him to fight against the giant of Gath when the armies of Israel were dismayed and greatly afraid. It was the Spirit that helped him through the difficult days when he was pursued by Saul. David leaned upon the Lord all his days, and the Lord was with him unto the end.
Saul's Plight
While David was thus being blessed of the Spirit, Saul was in a very sad state. "The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him." The Apostle Paul warns us to "grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." What a glorious seal we have -- the Holy Spirit of God! But what an emptiness when the Holy Spirit is grieved and takes His flight! Room is provided in such a heart for seven spirits more wicked than the man has ever known. Surely Saul is proof that the last state of that man is worse than the first. Such need not be the case if we heed the warning and "grieve not the holy Spirit of God." Let us be like David who waited upon the Lord and felt His presence even through the valley of the shadow of death.
Questions
1. What was Samuel's impression of Eliab?
2. What is the difference between man's evaluation of man, and God's evaluation?
3. What are the names of the eldest and youngest sons of Jesse?
4. Where was David born?
5. What was David's occupation before being anointed king?
6. What was Saul's servant's appraisal of David?
7. Who was present at the anointing of David?
8. To what could the Spirit of the Lord coming upon David be likened today?
9. Why do you think the elders of Bethlehem trembled at the coming of Samuel?
10. From what tribe was David?