Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 15:1-35, 1 Samuel 16:1-23, Ruth 4:18-22, Luke 6:45
About the time my future groom and I started looking at rings, a story circulated through my college dorm that put many of us hopeful brides-to-be on high alert. Whether true or simply an urban legend, I can’t say. But long after my now-husband popped the question, the story has stuck with me. It goes like this…
A handsome young man decided to propose to a beautiful girl. He told her that since they were poor college kids, he could not afford much of a ring. He proposed with a small cubic zirconia, a manufactured replacement for a real diamond. But secretly, he purchased a beautiful, expensive, whopper of a diamond and planned to have it put in the setting for their wedding day. But when the blushing bride-to-be discovered her ring was a fake, she demanded the real thing. The groom was so turned off by her shallow behavior that he broke off the engagement. Only then did the girl learn that he’d planned all along to take her breath away with a real diamond.
In 1 Samuel, we find a similar tale of fake worth and diamonds in the rough. Saul had been anointed as the first king of Israel. He seemed to have it all, but it didn’t take long for his façade to crack. Saul was deeply flawed. His dependence on the Lord turned out to be counterfeit, and in 1 Samuel 15, the Lord rejected Saul as king of Israel.
Israel’s prophet, Samuel, was grieved by Saul’s failings. I imagine he might have felt like that bride-to-be, who thought her boyfriend had bought her a diamond only to discover she’d been given a chunk of glass. But God was like the groom with something better tucked away. Despite Israel’s long history of doubting God, He planned to replace Saul with a king so good he’d become the measuring stick for all other kings to come.
At the Lord’s prompting, Samuel went to the house of Jesse looking for a new king. Jesse had eight sons and he paraded all but the youngest in front of Samuel. Each time, the Lord said “no.” Samuel was baffled by God’s rejection of such strong, capable men. God’s explanation put a magnifying glass over Samuel’s heart.
“But the Lᴏʀᴅ said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lᴏʀᴅ sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lᴏʀᴅ sees the heart.’”
– 1 Samuel 16:7
David didn’t look like a king. His father thought so little of him that he didn’t even bring him in from the field. But God chose him. Beneath an unimpressive exterior, God saw treasures in David’s heart.
We can’t polish ourselves pretty enough to create our own worth. But God mines for value in each of our hearts.
Erin Davis is an author, blogger, and speaker who loves to see women of all ages run to the deep well of God’s Word. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest.
Reading this for the first time in a while, I find myself pitying Saul. When I was younger he was just the villain, the one in the way of the great king David we all knew. But reading this now I see a man who despite his outward power is really insecure. Even when god honors him by making him king, he’s still grappling for approval. I know people like this in my own life. I think we all do. People who are so blessed, but so insecure that they scramble for approval and in that act wreck everything. The scene where Saul falls down grasping at Samuel’s robes… the person who put him in this position of power, probably his only true friend who wouldn’t be fooled by his outward strength, is leaving him behind. The scene just screams of desperation. It really breaks my heart for Saul in a way I haven’t experienced before
So insightful, friend! I relate to this story in a new way, too. Approval is a tough idol, never satisfying and always misleading. I struggle with it in a big way. Praying daily that I will find myself satisfied in the unconditional love and approval of our Lord.
Wow! So true, momandorder!
Great reminders today of how to improve my spiritual walk.
I’m a little confused about the part that says a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul.. Can such a thing exist from God? Was it part of His plan so that Saul and David could meet?
I looked it up online. What I read talks about how God simply allowed satan to have access to Saul because of his disobedience on two occasions. It also spoke to the fact that Saul had David come to be in his presence because he was afflicted with these tormenting spirits. It seems to me that it was all in God’s plan – if Saul wasn’t afflicted and in need of comforting, then David would never have been sent to be with Saul.
Thank you so much for your response! That helps a lot :)
I was also confused about that part as well, but my study Bible pointed out that while God never does evil things, he can allow evil agents to accomplish things for His purposes.
I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one confused. I almost didn’t ask because of that… Thank you for your response! :)
Sometimes it isn’t even necessary to have a third party. God simply withdraws his hand and allows man to act as his sinful self. The longer we go without God..the harder we become. It doesn’t take the devil or demons etc..man will simply be man without God’s calling..sending the Holy Spirit and regenerating our heart, mind and soul. For me it is rather sobering. I don’t need Satan as I am perfectly capable of being wretched on my own and left to my own.
Very true!
You are right on in saying “The longer we go without God…the harder we become. ” So, so true! God gets smaller and less important to us, and eventually our faith just dries up, because we don’t think we need Him anymore.
That’s very true! Thanks for responding :)
Wow that really good insight ans very sobering for me too. Thank you.
Thankful He chooses His people when we wouldn’t have ever chosen Him on our own. Thankful He sets His heart on His children because of his good pleasure, mercy, and kindness! And He sustains us to the end. Otherwise we’d all wander away for good. :)
Hallelujah and thank You, Lord!!
Thanks for asking this question Lehua!! I was right along with you. I guess it goes to show…if one of us needs a little clarification,probably a few of us are thinking the same thing. Thank you for all the responses, they helped me as well. So thankful for this SRT community!
17 And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel.
I struggle with imposter syndrome just like Saul. I actually wrote in my journal this morning “God is in control. He has called you to this work and uniquely equipped you to carry it out.” But I can’t do it on my own! I have to give it to Him every single day. Without Him I will certainly fail, especially if I listen to the voice of the people the way Saul did.
And isn’t that the hard part? People are loud and demand immediate responses while God is quiet and speaks to us in the whispers of our hearts while looking loooooong term. I struggle with this too. Fortunately for us God doesn’t give up.
God knows the heart. It was a rough day yesterday, turns out I have an ear infection, as well as some blemish scars on my face. And it’s my fault. They’re a result of my carelessness and lack of self control. My mom got all upset with me since I was getting on concealer to cover up the scars. Frustrating. She thinks it’s a morale issue of putting on makeup, but that’s not why I put it on. I don’t put a ton, but I like having some. But I guess I need the reminder that my worth is not in the perfection of how I look or having perfect skin. I always have worth in Christ, wounds and all. Christ heals the scars and uses them for good. Mom is jut looking out for me, out of love. Lord help me to not worry about my outward appearance. Help me take care of my body and honor you throughout everything I do. Help me remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that you see my heart amidst the messiness. Thank you for seeing me. Help me to have uplifting thoughts towards myself and my body. Help me remember that even though I fall, and I need to get right back up. Help me stop listening to Satan’s lies and start breathing in Your TRUTH.
My thoughts, think about what is true, your heart is it surrendered to the love of God in Christ and able to love others? What you put on means nothing really, if your heart is right. Search your heart, if you find anything inconsistent ask for forgiveness -God readily forgives. Walk in the truth and freedom. Be truth on the inside. Beautiful prayer. You are beautiful-that is truth.
Sarah, your post … wow! I’ve been on the same journey the past few years. Yes! Our worth is not in how we look, how people see us, etc. that’s so hard living in the world we live in. But God!!! He’s the lifter of our head. The one who holds us close. The Lord brought Revelation Wellness into my life to help me in this journey to freedom. Changed my life in Him. The chains are still breaking away. Please check it out. Revelationwellness.org
We can’t polish ourselves pretty enough to create our own worth. But God mines for value in each of our hearts. ❤️
To obey is better than sacrifice. Total obedience, not partial. Chapter 15 is a good reminder to me. God doesn’t want my excuses. He wants me to trust and obey Him. Even when I may not understand or even totally agree with His plan, He wants my obedience. The Lord is full of mercy and grace, but I also have to understand that I must live with the consequences of my disobedience, not matter how big or small. God sees the whole picture when I can just see a small portion. He loved me enough to send His son to die for me, I should have enough faith to trust Him, and obey Him.
“God doesn’t want my excuses. He wants me to trust and obey Him.” Yes! That. Father forgive me for giving you my excuses instead of simply trusting you and obeying.
I love this so much. I just wrote a post on this very topic. God is after our heart. He wants a deeper relationship with us and although he wants to heal all areas of our life, what he really wants to hear is our heart <3
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