The people of Israel wanted a king just like all the other nations had, and that is what they got in Saul. God chose Saul to fulfil the criteria that he knew his people were seeking in a king. He gave them Saul, it seems, so as to make a contrast clear. That is the contrast between what man looks for in a leader and what God looks for in a leader. It is the contrast between a man who has the strength in himself to fulfil his own ambitions and a man who has the faith to fulfil the plans of God. The contrast is emphasised here in 1 Samuel 16 when Samuel was sent by God to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be king. Samuel was immediately drawn to those who seemed impressive in his sight. But God was not looking for someone impressive. He was looking for someone who would effectively fulfil his plans. This would require very different characteristics than that which people usually sought in a king. David was a man of faith. While Saul was making compromises in small things David was showing faithfulness in small things as he tended his father’s sheep. God calls us to be the kind of people that he can use to fulfil his plans. Those who live by their own ingenuity and prowess inevitably miss this opportunity. God calls us to yield all our abilities to him in dependence and live a life that will be effective not just impressive.
What small things can you show faithfulness in today?
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13
