Saturday's Scripture Story
Samuel Anoints David
1 Samuel 16:10-13
10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Pondering Point
If you take in this story through a lens of judgment, you can see it all over the place: a judgment made by Samuel based on outer appearance; a judgment made by Samuel regarding Saul's vindictive history. Then of course there is a judgment made by God in the rejection of Saul, in a directive to Samuel, and for an anointing of David. There is also David's father making a judgment to exclude David when gathering his sons.
But for today, let's dwell on how God judges -- from the heart: What does He see in your heart? How do you think He wants to help you with what He sees in your heart? Deal with this in some time of meditation with the Lord. Now if possible.
Prayer
[Insert your own prayer about judgement.]
Hook Questions
Use these questions with your group when you are using Bible stories as central piece to your time together:
- Share a time when you were misjudged. Share how you reacted.
Bible Storying’s Core Questions
- What did you like (or learn new) about the story?
- What did you not like (or not understand) about it?
- What are the various people doing in the story? With whom do you identify within the story?
- What is God doing in the story?
- What might God be asking of you triggered by this
story? How is he challenging you?
A great way to get God’s stories to stick with you is telling them to other people.