David. Giant killer. Musician. King. Resident heartthrob.

As we wrap up our time with David, let’s go back—before the showdown with Goliath. Before the fame. Before the fortune. Before the throne.

Before.

God rejects King Saul because of his disobedience. God then sends the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king and He points His prophet toward Bethlehem.

Samuel, I’m sure, was thinking, “God, are You calling me home to heaven, because if Saul finds out, I am sooo dead.” God rolls His eyes as He directs Samuel to Jesse’s home.

Jesse has eight sons.

Eight.

In our home, we have three boys. The thought of five more makes me break out in hives. So, where is little David in the birth order?

Dead last. The baby.

With seven older brothers.

And I can promise you—he wasn’t doted on as the baby of the family. He was ignored or talked over. He got the last scraps of food unless Mom happened to serve him before the big boys got to the table, and he wore everyone else’s hand-me-downs.

When Samuel explains the reason for the visit, Jesse doesn’t even send for David. The parade of sons begins without him. Son Number One. Samuel whistles to himself. Whoa!

God says no.

Samuel thinks, “No? Why?” God’s answer?

“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b NIV)

Sons Number Two through Seven pass before Samuel.

God says no.

Every time.

“Was that it?” Samuel’s thrown for a loop. God’s instructions are clear.

“Well,” Jesse scratches his head. “There is the youngest, but he’s out with the sheep.”

It’s Samuel’s turn to roll his eyes now. As a random servant hurries to get David, one can only imagine the tension at the dinner table as Samuel sits with Dad and the seven rejects.

David rushes in, face still wet from a quick wash. God says yes. And Samuel anoints the next king of Israel.

Why? David’s heart.

“the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart”(1 Samuel 13:14 NIV)

The condition of our heart outweighs our social status, education level, gender, race, or place in the family pecking order. God’s not concerned with mere externals. When everything is yours, you don’t get hung up on stuff like that. He looks for character. A heart that beats with His. A heavenly heartthrob.

We can be heartthrobs too. Whether we’re the runt of the litter, the firstborn, or the unnoticed middle, we can take heart, because that’s what God’s checking.

What will He see?

Questions:

Why is David chosen?

How is character built?

How can outward things hurt one’s character?

How can outward things help one’s character?

Tweetables:

The condition of our heart outweighs our social status, education level, gender, race, or place in the family pecking order. God’s not concerned with mere externals. Click To Tweet
Whether we're the runt of the litter, the firstborn, or the unnoticed middle, we can take heart, because that’s what God’s checking. Click To Tweet

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