Reading the story of how Samuel came to anoint David as king over Israel – with a view on the importance of prayer – I came away with some good perspectives.

It is amazing how much I can get caught up in what I love – to the point that I grieve its loss and fail to move on in the direction God has called me to go.

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you go on grieving over Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. But now get some olive oil and go to Bethlehem, to a man named Jesse, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

There seems to be a human element of fear in doing some of the things God asks to be done. I think that stops me and so many others in committing their obedience to God completely.

² “How can I do that?” Samuel asked. “If Saul hears about it, he will kill me!”

Each time though, does the story not have God providing a way through the fear?

The Lord answered, “Take a calf with you and say that you are there to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. ³ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will tell you what to do. You will anoint as king the man I tell you to.”

I find it odd that the leadership in Bethlehem came trembling to meet Samuel. Was his presence, as a prophet, one of doom and gloom? That is a side of the prophets the Bible has not necessarily shown us but I can imagine that if he were to speak the mind of God to the people, it would definitely be about their sin.

⁴ Samuel did what the Lord told him to do and went to Bethlehem, where the city leaders came trembling to meet him and asked, “Is this a peaceful visit, seer?”

A lot can be said about Jesse’s relationship with his sons, especially David, during this story. When a man of Samuel’s great importance comes to visiit and specifically calls for Jesse and his sons to come to a special sacrifice, is it not odd that David is not invited?

⁵ “Yes,” he answered. “I have come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me.” He also told Jesse and his sons to purify themselves, and he invited them to the sacrifice.

What I love about what happens next is that God did not tell Samuel which son it was that He wanted to anoint. Samuel had to stand before each one. His reaction to Eliab makes sense because he looked like a perfect replacement for Saul and yet God was going to a different direction this time. I loved how God knew where Samuel’s heart was and that He took a moment to explain how this man would not work.

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Jesse’s son Eliab and said to himself, “This man standing here in the Lord’s presence is surely the one he has chosen.” ⁷ But the Lord said to him, “Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.”

The fact that God chose none of the sons that were at the sacrifice did not phase Samuel. I would have doubted my ability to hearing God voice. Not Samuel, somehow he figures asking the question of more sons made sense to him.

Then Jesse called his son Abinadab and brought him to Samuel. brought Shammah. “No, the Lord hasn’t chosen him either,” Samuel said. ¹⁰ In this way Jesse brought seven of his sons to Samuel. And Samuel said to him, “No, the Lord hasn’t chosen any of these.” ¹¹ Then he asked him, “Do you have any more sons?”

Samuel must have known that this was the one for he was the only son left. His time waiting for David to come must have been spent in prayer. Prayer of thanks that God walked with him in this journey. Prayer of praise for God’s wisdom in how this all took place without Saul knowing about it. Prayer of worship knowing that God’s love for His people was giving them a leader after His own heart.

“Tell him to come here,” Samuel said. “We won’t offer the sacrifice until he comes.” ¹² So Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. The Lord said to Samuel, “This is the one—anoint him!” ¹³ Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the spirit of the Lord took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

It is my prayer that I may hear and listen to the voice of God. I pray that I may exchange thoughts with Him and to obtain clear directions. I pray that I may have the power of patience to wait for the answer I know is coming.

These are the Ten Commandments in their fourfold aspect, n prayer. Take care, however, not to undertake all of this or so much that one becomes weary in spirit. Likewise, a good prayer should not be lengthy or drawn out, but frequent and ardent. It is enough to consider one section or half a section which kindles a fire in the heart. This the Spirit will grant us and continually instruct us in when, by God’s word, our hearts have been cleared and freed of outside thoughts and concerns. – Luther