Go Beyond

Reflections on doing small tasks well and the selection of a king. | 1 Samuel 16:8-12

God always makes responsible choices that are best for all concerned. When it came time to select a new king for Israel, God sent the prophet Samuel to the home of Jesse. One by one, Samuel met all of Jesse’s sons. The Lord rejected Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son, as a candidate for king but not as an individual. God knows what we are best suited for. God did not see in Eliab’s heart the right stuff to lead a nation. Jesse then called his son “Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel” (1 Samuel 16:8). Abinadab, also a soldier in Saul’s army (17:13), was not chosen by God. Jesse’s third son Shammah, a soldier like his older brothers (17:13), passed in front of the prophet but was not chosen either. Jesse had all of his sons “pass before Samuel,” but none of them were chosen (1 Samuel 16:10).

Samuel, perhaps a little confused, asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” (1 Samuel 16:11). After all, God had told Samuel that He had chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be king (1 Samuel 16:1). Jesse replied that his “youngest” (perhaps smallest) son was “tending the sheep.” No one had thought of calling the youngest family member in from the fields. Perhaps no one thought he possessed any kingly qualities (1 Samuel 17:28). Samuel instructed Jesse to send for the youngest son. “We will not sit down,” said the prophet, “until he arrives.”

Jesse immediately sent for David, his youngest son, “and had him brought in” (1 Samuel 16:12). David had no idea that the journey from the sheep pens to his father’s house would change the course of his life (see Ps. 78:70-72). And, he had no idea that his heart had attracted the attention of God. The Bible describes David as having a reddish complexion, beautiful eyes, and “handsome features” (1 Samuel 16:12). More importantly, God saw in David’s heart the right stuff for the task of ruling a nation. When Samuel saw David, the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one” (1 Samuel 16:12). The young shepherd boy had proven himself faithful in his service to his father. In the solitude of the sheep pens and grazing areas, David had quietly nurtured his relationship with God. When the time came to anoint a new king, David did not promote himself. Instead, God sought out and promoted the young shepherd boy.

God notices our service. I once heard someone say that those who feel they are too big to do a small job are too small to do a big job. Don’t underestimate the value of doing small jobs well. Sometimes God leads us into new kinds of service that involve changes in life direction because we have done small jobs well. Serving God faithfully in little things, perhaps mundane and unnoticed tasks, is a strong indication that God can count on us to serve Him well in new kinds of service. Like David, determine to be faithful in your present work. After all, you never know who is going to take notice or what new doors of opportunity God may open for you!