Seeing with God's Eyes
1 Samuel 16: 1 – 13 Today we continue to follow the story of Samuel, a transitional leader in Israel’s history tucked in between the tribal judges and the kings. He’s a prophet of sorts – tuned into God, recognized by his community for his relationship with God. Throughout the text of 1 Samuel he listens to the people and listens to God, acting on God’s behalf and following God’s lead. In our text for today, Samuel listens closely to God as he anoints Israel’s second king, a young shepherd boy named David. He does this while the current king, Saul, is still on the throne, making his action at God’s direction treasonous. Up to this point in the text of 1 Samuel, the people of Israel have clamored for leadership that is different – leadership that feels more tangible, more visible, more in line with their neighbor’s lives, more worldly perhaps, than is their covenant agreement that they will love God, live with God’s commandments, and occupy the promised l...