When God Looks at the Heart (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

INTRO

Israel demanded a king like the nations (1 Sam. 8:5).
Saul was chosen and anointed as Israel’s first king (1 Sam. 10:1).
Early success marked his reign, but cracks appeared quickly (1 Sam. 11–13).
Saul acted impatiently and presumptuously at Gilgal (1 Sam. 13:8–14).
He disobeyed the Lord’s clear command regarding Amalek (1 Sam. 15:9).
“The LORD has rejected you from being king” (1 Sam. 15:26).
Chapter 16 plays it our in more detail as the hearts are exposed.

God Rejects Saul – v. 1

“I have rejected him from being king over Israel.”
The rejection is settled
- Not God’s weakness—Saul’s refusal to yield to God’s Word
God’s blessings and judgment
Covenant framework: blessings/curses (Deut. 11:26–28; 28:1–18)
- OT: Israel as a national covenant people
- NT: the church is not geo-political… it is a gathered people in covenant through Christ. We are spiritual covenant people. Personal relationships with Christ.
Obedience still matters under the New Covenant
- Keeping Christ’s words (John 14:23)
- Walk as He walked (1 John 2:3–6)
- Fatherly discipline (Hebrews 12:5–11)
- Warning to churches: lampstand removed (Rev. 2:5)
Saul looked right outwardly
Saul’s heart showed what he loved most
- Selective obedience
- Fear of man
- Impatience/self-rule

Bethlehem; Jesse’s house… ordinary place, surprising choice (v. 1, 4)
Samuel’s eyes vs. God’s eyes (vv. 6–7)
- God evaluates the heart (v. 7)
- “Heart” = inner direction of worship, trust, humility, and desire
David is overlooked at first (v. 11)
Private faithfulness precedes public usefulness
- David tends sheep faithfully (v. v11)
- God is preparing him to shepherd His people (cf. 2 Sam. 5:2; Ps. 78:70–72)

“The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David…” (v. 13)
God sets David apart and marks him as His chosen servant and future king
“Rushed upon”… God-given enablement for the assignment
- Strength for obedience
- Strength for leadership/service
- Endurance through suffering on the path ahead
OT to NT clarity on the Spirit
- OT: empowerment for role/task. God would give and take.
- NT: indwelling/sealing of believers. Permanent at conversion.
  - Anointed / set apart (1 John 2:20; 2 Cor. 1:21)
  - Sealed / confirmed (Eph. 1:13)
  - Empowered for mission and life (Acts 1:8)
    - Personal holiness (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:16)
    - Witness and discipleship (Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8)
    - Endurance in suffering (2 Tim. 1:7–8)