This Is the One

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has 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.”

1 Samuel 16 

What was David’s father (Jesse) and David’s brothers attitude toward him?

What might David have felt about himself prior to this? What emotions? What might he have believed about himself?

How have you felt similarly? Pause. Reflect. Feel that.

Who did God see?

The God who sees those who no one else sees…..

How did God’s heart differ from David’s earthly father’s? Using human words to describe an unknowing God, what might you have seen on God’s face that day? What would his tone of voice have been as he spoke in vs. 11?

These are descriptions God has called David, garnished from other parts of Scripture: anointed, chosen, faithful, after God’s heart, his servant, king, The One. What do you think David felt on that day? How might his emotions have changed? His beliefs about himself?

Was it David or was it God most at work here?

David was no supersaint--we see his faults fully. But it is God who calls and equips. Psalm 139 and Psalm 18, both attributed to David, are full of David’s sense of awareness of God’s choosing, presence, and empowering.

Chosen, he knows what are you “the one” for. Hear him say, “Rise and anoint her/him, she/he is the one.” He sees you and calls you. What do you think God wants you to know right now?