How God Chooses: A Powerful Lesson from 1 Samuel 16:1-13
We live in a world obsessed with outward appearances. Churches pick leaders by résumés. Believers size each other up by social status, education, or charisma. But the living God does not choose as man chooses. The infallible Word of God in 1 Samuel 16:1-13 shows us exactly how the Lord selects His servants — and the truth will challenge every one of us. The Lord told Samuel, “How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? … for I have provided me a king among [Jesse’s] sons” (v. 1). Saul had looked like the perfect king — tall, commanding, the people’s choice. Yet he had disobeyed God’s clear commands. God rejected him. Samuel went to Bethlehem with fear, but the Lord provided the way. Jesse presented his seven older sons before the prophet. Each one looked impressive. Samuel thought the oldest, Eliab, must surely be the one. But God declared: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LOR...