#158 | 1 Samuel: The New King (who had the heart)

In this episode, we dive into the shocking story of David’s anointing as king in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. When the prophet Samuel visits the house of Jesse to anoint the next king of Israel, all seven of Jesse’s sons are paraded before him. However, God rejects them all, instead choosing the youngest son, David, who wasn’t even considered worthy enough to be present.

David's rejection by his own family may stem from the fact that, according to Jewish tradition, some believed David was the product of an adulterous relationship, or that Jesse himself had committed adultery. This perception may have led David’s family to marginalize him, viewing him as less than his brothers. Yet, God did not see David’s supposed disqualifications or the way his family perceived him as a liability or threat to his potential. Instead, God saw a heart that was attuned to God and that would enable him to lead His people.

We also explore a fascinating narrative theme: David, like Saul, was chosen from a tribe with connections to the youngest son of Israel’s patriarchs. Saul came from the tribe of Benjamin, the youngest of Jacob's 12 sons, while David came from the tribe of Judah, who is the youngest son of Jacob's first wife, Leah. But unlike Saul, who stepped directly into kingship, David endured a long developmental process, potentially spanning up to 20 years, before ascending the throne of Israel. This mirrors the long, extended maturation process that Jesus Himself went through throughout his entire life before he ascended the throne.

In comparing David’s rejection by his family to Jesus’ rejection by His Jewish community, we highlight Acts 4:10-12, which identifies Jesus as the stone the builders rejected who became the chief cornerstone of the temple. In Hebrew, the word for "stone" is closely related to the word for "son," linking the rejection of David, the "son" of Jesse, with the rejection of Jesus, the Son of God. Both stories emphasize how God often sees value where others see little to no value.

The overarching message of this episode is that God sees things in people that we don’t. In fact, he even sees things in us that we might not even recognize, and He is willing to develop and mature us into what He sees, even when we can’t see it ourselves. This is a story of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of God’s vision for our lives.

Key Passages:

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Psalm 51:5 A passage that may refer to David's birth being the product of an adulterous relationship.

Psalm 69 A Psalm that Jewish tradition has identified as being about the childhood of David. In vs 8 David says he has become a "stranger" to his brothers. This word can also mean "bastard".

A blog post that explores the Jewish tradition about the possible scandal surrounding David's birth.

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