Thursday Night - June 14th "The Least Likely"

Photo by Christian Begeman

This past Thursday night I chose to preach from one of the Old Testament verses indicated for this week by the Common Lectionary.  The verses utilized were 1st Samuel 15:34 - 16:13; these verses deal with the anointment of David by the Prophet Samuel.  Samuel approaches David's father Jesse and invites him to bring his sons and himself to a sacrifice of a young heifer.  Jesse brings along with him all of his sons with the exception of the youngest, which is David.

Samuel has all of Jesse's sons pass before him waiting for God to indicate to him which of them has been chosen to be the next King of Israel.  All seven of the eldest brothers pass with none finding the favor of the Lord.  Samuel asks Jesse if there are any more sons to present and Jesse relates that there is only one, the youngest... the least likely... the one who isn't even considered as worthy to come to the sacrifice.  The last son 'David', is summoned and here God's favor final falls upon one of Jesse's sons and David is anointed there before his father and elder brothers.  David, the one not considered... the one left to tend the sheep... David is to be the next King of Israel.

It's difficult for us to fully appreciate the shock and surprise (plus the offense to the seven older brothers) that would have accompanied this incident with David and his siblings.  In the Hebrew culture, the eldest son should have always been the one selected, of course, Scripture is filled with exceptions to this rule but, none-the-less it would have still been a surprise to the family and any others looking on.

In our own lives, we can look to this 'least-likely' analogy, no matter who you are... no matter how young, how old, how educated, or uneducated you are, how outgoing, or how quiet and shy you may be... no matter who you are, there is a place where God needs you to be and a role He needs you to play in His Kingdom.  I invite you all to be in prayer about where God is seeking to anoint you and where He desires to send you to do His will in this lost and wanting world.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Love,
Roy

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel.

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.”[a] 7 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 does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12 He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

Footnotes:
a) 1 Samuel 16:6 Hebrew 'him'