Bible Studies
God Selects A King for Himself (1 Sam. 16:1, 6-11a)
Series: Studies in First SamuelIntroduction: (Read vs. 1.)
1. Israel’s search for leadership has led them to demand a king.a. They want to be delivered from their enemies.
b. The judges had not worked out well.
c. They wanted a king like the nations around them.
2. The whole move was a rejection of God’s leadership and an acceptance of the leadership that characterized the way of the world. 3. They demanded a king and God had given them what they wanted in Saul.a. Given their worldly perspective Saul seemed to be the ideal.
b. But Saul was like his people, he pursued his own course and did not obey the voice of the Lord.
c. As a result God rejected him from being king.
4. And so the search for a king continues, but this time God will select a king for himself. His approach will be different and so the man that He appoints will be different. 5. Read verses 6-11a.Discussion:
I. Samuel would have appointed Eliab, looking at outward appearance, but God sees not as man sees for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.A. Saul had been selected on the basis of what man sees.
1. He had been desirable in Israel’s eyes and God had given them what they wanted.
2. But he had proven to be like so many of the judges. Instead of submitting his will to God’s he was insubordinate and rebellious.
B. God often takes the one who is least in men’s eyes and uses him/her to lead his people.
C. Samuel thought Eliab would be anointed, but the Lord was looking for more than Eliab offered. (Note how Samuel submitted to the Lord’s will.)
D. Jesse offered two more sons, Abinadab and Shammah. Then all the rest, but the Lord chose none of these.
E. Men select leaders on the basis of many worldly factors.
1. We do it when we select political leaders. Ex. party loyalty, race loyalty, etc.
2. We do it when we select religious leaders. Ex. elders, preachers.
3. We do it when we select marital partners. Ex. looks, personality, intelligence.
F. David seemed an unlikely candidate for king.
1. Youngest (16:11).
2. Tending sheep (16:11).
3. Ruddy (reddish brown).
4. With beautiful eyes (good looking, cf. Gen. 39:6).
5. Handsome appearance (16:12).
6. These traits are not meant so much as positive traits like Saul’s standing a head taller than everyone else, but probably traits representative of David’s youthfulness.
II. The account shifts from Saul to David. Two events mark David’s relationship with Saul.A. The first is David’s relationship to Saul as musician (16:14ff).
1. The primary focus of this period has to do with “the Spirit of the Lord departing from Saul” (v. 14).
2. The Spirit of the Lord departing from Saul was accompanied by “an evil spirit from the Lord terrorizing him” (v. 14).
3. Interpreters have struggled to understand both of these expressions.
a. Some have suggested that the evil spirit was a demon.
b. This raises then a theological problem. How could a good God send a demonic spirit to terrorize Saul?
c. David Tsumura (NICOT, p. 427) says that the problem is probably more of a linguistic issue.
1) “An evil spirit from the Lord” is not an adequate translation. He suggests instead “a spirit of evilness (or disaster).”
2) I am no Hebrew linguist, but this seems to fit the context better to me. And it fits with my understanding of “the Spirit of the Lord departing” from an individual also. Elsewhere in Scripture being led by the Spirit of the Lord involves coming under God’s influence to do His will. It is not about the Spirit inhabiting our bodies. Thus an evil spirit terrorizing Saul is not about demon possession but about Saul turning away from submission to God’s will and taking on a spirit of opposition. This fits with Saul’s approach in 1 Sam. 15 in the Agag incident (see vs. 22-23). I would add that Saul’s rebellion was probably accompanied by angry/depressive emotions from time to time and that David’s playing on the harp calmed him. This is from the Lord because Saul’s reaction is a result of the Lord’s rejection of him for his rebellion. Cf. Cain (Gen. 4:5).
4. David stands in contrast to Saul. “The Lord is with him” (16:18). When David played Saul “would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him” (v. 23).
B. The second event continues to raise David above Saul. David is but a youth, but places his trust in God as his deliverer and so defeats the Philistine giant, Goliath (17:1ff).
1. Goliath represented all that men see. David represented none of that.
2. Goliath was more than 9 feet tall. He was a military champion. His coat of mail weighed about 125 pounds, his spear head about 15 pounds. He was a professional soldier.
3. He came forward morning and evening and challenged the Israelites. For 40 days he taunted them.
4. David’s brothers Eliab, Abinadab and Shammah were soldiers in Saul’s army.
a. Jesse, their father, sent David to the battlefield to bring supplies to his brothers.
b. David was a youth, a shepherd boy, a mere messenger carrying provisions to the fighting men of the family.
c. He heard the taunts of Goliath and asked the soldiers what rewards could be expected for the man who defeated Goliath.
d. When Eliab heard David’s request it made him mad (28b).
e. David volunteered to fight the giant (26b).
f. Saul said, “You are but a youth and he has been a warrior from his youth” (v. 33).
g. David reasoned that the Lord had delivered him from the lion and the bear and would deliver him from the Philistine (v. 37).
h. Saul tried to arm David, but David took his stick and his sling.
i. When Goliath saw David “he disdained him” (v. 42). The text focuses attention again on David’s ineptitude.
1) He was but a youth.
2) Ruddy—(reddish brown).
3) With beautiful eyes—(good looking). Cf. Gen. 39:6.
4) Handsome appearance.
5) We might say it this way: “He was a nice looking little boy.”
6) Goliath said, “Come to me little boy and I will feed you to the buzzards and coyotes.”
7) David said, (v.45-47).
k. David slew the giant with his sling and a stone. He cut off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s own sword (50ff).
III. Practical implications.A. In your evaluation of leaders do you see as God sees or as men see?
1. Men look on outward appearance.
a. With such a perspective Saul was appointed. Eliab would have been appointed. From this perspective Goliath seemed invincible.
b. Men appoint leaders on the basis of faulty valuations.
2. God looks on the heart. David was selected and appointed king on the basis of God’s system of valuation (Acts 13:20-22, 36). That system of valuation is reflected in doing the will of God, in serving the purpose of God in ones own generation.
3. Are these the things that you value when selecting governmental leaders? Religious leaders? Elders, preachers, etc.? A marital partner?
B. In the challenges that you face do you see your place in the great plan of God?
1. Most do not even see God’s plan. Many do not even recognize that God has a plan.
2. Many who do have never considered that they have a personal role in that plan.
3. This is “Our Spiritual Heritage.”
C. In innocent faith do you trust the Lord for your deliverance?
1. Does fear or faith define your direction? The armies of Israel were paralyzed by fear. Saul said to David, “You are not able. You are but a youth while he is a warrior from his youth.” David was mobilized by his faith.
2. We are concerned about deteriorating moral circumstances in our world? Are we looking to the government and our legal system to curb these changes or are we looking to the preaching of the gospel? We are concerned about terrorism. Are we looking to the military for answers or are we looking to the preaching of the gospel? Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph. 6:10ff).
3. Do you trust in human weakness or God’s strength? See 2 Cor. 12:9-10.
4. Do you find yourself like Goliath taunting those who in innocent faith trust the Lord for deliverance?
Conclusion:
1. In David, God has selected a king for Himself. 2. He does not see as men see. Instead He looks on the heart. 3. He saw in David a man who would do His will. 4. What does the Lord see when He looks at your heart?
