Life's Inanities and Ironies

We return again to the infallible, inerrant Word of God — the Authorized King James Bible — and continue the story the Lord began in 1 Samuel 16. Last week we saw how God *chooses* a king according to the heart. Today we see how the same sovereign God *builds* that king. Turn with me to 1 Samuel 16:14-23. The Scripture declares: “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” (v. 14) Saul had rejected the clear command of God. Now God rejected him. The Holy Spirit that once empowered Saul for kingship was gone. In its place came an evil spirit sent by the Lord Himself — not as the author of evil, but as the righteous Judge allowing judgment to fall on a disobedient king. Saul’s servants saw the torment and wisely suggested a solution: “Let our lord now command thy servants… to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and tho...

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...