The Lord often chooses those whom we do not expect to be His servants. Think of Saul (Paul), Matthew (a tax collector), Peter (a fisherman)— and you.

BibleGateway: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

ESV Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

KJV Text:

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:25

     1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. 3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. 4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

     6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.(KJV)

Hymn: TLH 483 :
God of the Prophets

Hymnary.org— — Organ Audio

1. God of the prophets, bless the prophet’s sons; 
Elijah’s mantle o’er Elisha cast. 
Each age its solemn task may claim but once; 
Make each one nobler, stronger, than the last. 
 
2. Annoint them prophets. Make their ears attent 
To Thy divinest speech, their hearts awake 
To human need, their lips make eloquent 
To gird the right and every evil break. 
 
3. Annoint them priests. Strong intercessors, they, 
For pardon and for charity and peace. 
Ah, if with them the world might, now astray, 
Find in our Lord from all its woes release! 
 
4. Annoint them kings; aye, kingly kings, O Lord. 
Annoint them with the Spirit of Thy Son. 
Theirs not a jeweled crown, a blood-stained sword; 
Theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a kingdom won. 
 
5. Make them apostles, heralds of Thy Cross; 
Forth may they go to tell all realms Thy grace. 
Inspired of Thee, may they count all but loss 
And stand at last with joy before Thy face. 
 
 

Hymn: LSB 682 :
God of the Prophets, Bless the Prophets’ Sons

Hymnary.org—