1 Samuel 16 - May 17, 2025

God directs Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the next king. After the prophet evaluates seven sons based on appearance, God reveals the crucial principle that "the Lord looks at the heart" and indicates David, the overlooked shepherd boy, as His choice. After David's anointing, God's Spirit comes upon him while departing from Saul, who is then troubled by an evil spirit. Ironically, David is summoned to soothe Saul through harp playing, bringing temporary relief to the tormented king. This chapter establishes the theological framework for understanding divine selection throughout Scripture—God consistently chooses the unlikely and overlooked to accomplish His purposes, culminating in Jesus, whose humble appearance led many to reject him despite his anointing as Messiah.