Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him. We won’t sit down to eat until he gets here.” – 1 Samuel 16:11
There many stories within the larger story that is the life of King David and the first is his selection by Samuel. Before the prophet and judge anointed David, it is clear that God had already selected the young shepherd to be the next king of His chosen people. God just had to help Samuel see it.
Choosing leaders is not easy. It is often done by those who feel painfully inadequate to accomplish the task. In this case, God (who looks on the heart) was working through a man (Samuel) who was looking elsewhere. On Jesse’s (David’s father’s) list there were seven names, but God’s list only had one name on it … and this name was the last … the eighth.
Sometimes we need to look beyond the “obvious” to see God’s choice … God’s best for our lives and ministry. Beyond the seven choices in front of us, there is an “eighth” … and it is this choice that is His desire and plan for our future.
God’s providence is not blind, but full of eyes. – John Greenleaf Whittier
