And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” – 1 Samuel 16:11 (NASB)

We are all familiar with the text.  Saul has disobeyed God by sparing King Agag and not utterly destroying the Amalekites.  As Saul rejected God’s command, so God rejected Saul (15:23).  This is one of many examples where God’s plans will not be thwarted.  Either we carry out God’s will, or He will find someone else to do it.  But that is a lesson for another day.

You will remember Saul became king after the people asked to be ruled by a king like all the other nations around them.  God chooses Saul the Benjamite, who was taller and more handsome than anyone around.  In essence, God gives the Israelites what they asked for and what they were looking for in a king.  Our preacher recently used these verses and an egg as a visual aid to illustrate too often we focus on what the present physical appearance of something is (i.e. the egg), instead of what the egg will become, which our preacher illustrated during the sermon with a picture of a beautiful bird.  This is a great lesson in and of itself, but it is not our whole lesson for today.

We are also familiar with what happens next.  Samuel travels to Bethlehem to anoint the son of Jesse that God has chosen to succeed Saul.  At this point God has not revealed to Samuel which one God has chosen.  Jesse has eight sons, seven of whom are invited to accompany Jesse and join Samuel for “the sacrifice”.  Samuel is impressed by the physical appearance of Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab.  However, God points out “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (16:7).  It is as if God is telling Samuel, and by extension the Israelites, “We tried it your way once and see what happened.  I gave you what you wanted, now I am going to give you what you need.”

The procession continues.  Each of Jesse’s sons is presented to Samuel, each is rejected by God.  It would be interesting to know what Samuel is thinking as he believes the last of Jesse’s sons fails to gain God’s approval.  But Samuel is faithful and so he asks if there is another son.  Then we learn the youngest son is out tending the sheep.  I have to believe this was one of those “AHA!” moments for Samuel.

It was probably normal in David’s time and place for the youngest son to tend the sheep while the older sons were with their father.  Each son probably took their turn at tending their father’s sheep when they reached a certain age, and now it was David’s turn.  I am the younger of two sons, and the same thing happened to me (only we had goats, not sheep).

The real lesson for me is found when you consider verse 7 and verse 11 together.  I do not think the recorded text mentions David was tending the sheep just to move the story along.  Rather, we have this recorded for a reason.  We shouldn’t miss the significance of God’s choosing a king because of his heart, and at the time he was chosen Saul’s successor was tending his father’s sheep.

While I don’t want to read too much into this, I think it is worth pondering.  Possibly you have heard the phrase “Shepherd’s Heart”.  I have heard it, sometimes even in half-hearted jest.  Nevertheless, I believe in this case it warrants further discussion.

What exactly is meant by having a “Shepherd’s Heart”?  I believe it is a phrase with many applications.  However, to me the application with regard to our text is it means a man of Godly character.  By tending his father’s sheep David demonstrated he was faithful to God and to do his father’s bidding, he was courageous, and he was responsible, all characteristics which manifested themselves later in life.  He also demonstrated self-control (how many times could he have killed Saul?), humility (he waited years to become king instead of trying to seize power), was faithful to God and His word, and was loyal to others as well.  That is not to say he was perfect, and when he sinned with Bathsheba and against Uriah he demonstrated the exact opposite of every Godly characteristic known (although he was quick to accept responsibility for his sin when confronted – 2 Samuel 12).  Yet, he is remembered as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13;14).

So what is the application for today’s shepherds?  First, our actions demonstrate our heart (i.e. character).  David consistently demonstrated his character throughout his life even though he was fallible (a friend of mine pointed out David’s adultery and murder plot were not his only sins, just the ones recorded).  Second, David demonstrated his character by tending his father’s sheep and later by being faithful to God.  Shepherds of today get to do the same, at least with figurative sheep.  Third, David was tending his father’s sheep already, before God chose him.  When considering future shepherds we should ask ourselves who is already tending our Father’s sheep.  Fourth, David’s character closely matches what are sometimes referred to as an elder’s “qualifications” as found in 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1.  We would do well to consider these qualifications as not just a checklist, but also insight into a person’s heart and character.  We would also do well to remember everyone will fall short in demonstrating one or more of these “qualifications” and we should give them the benefit of the doubt.  That doesn’t mean not to bring it to their attention as Nathan did in 2 Samuel 12 or as Jesus tells us in Matthew 18.  However, let us not forget as we approach them the goal is to win a brother and not drive them away.

May your blessings exceed mine today and all your days. – DEM