Check out all the previous David readings here.

David Reading | Week 2 | Day 1

Prayer

As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Read these verses three times slowly.

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem,the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lordhas not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Reflection & Questions

As we heard in yesterday’s message, David was a man after God’s own heart. The Lord looked at his heart and was pleased. This was where he stood in contrast to Saul. Saul’s kingship had started off well, but ended up with him disobeying the Lord and wanting his own glory (rather than God’s). David wasn’t about becoming king, but about honoring his King, the Lord Himself. It was this desire to please His King, and his confidence in the provision and protection of His King, that made David’s heart one suitable to lead the people of Israel.

We are never going to be king of Israel, but the condition of our hearts still matters. Will we be like Saul, with hearts after our own glory, desires and destiny. Or will we be like David, humbly seeking God’s glory, confident in who the Lord is and ready to follow wherever He leads?

1. What encouraged and challenged you from the message yesterday?
2. Ask God to search your heart and to reveal to you areas that need to be surrendered to Him.

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?