Days 82&83: 1 Samuel 13-20

There are some memorable verses in these chapters. Such as:

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
   as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
   and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (15:22)

And:

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (16:7)

Both are saying of Samuel the priest at a specific time for a specific purpose but they also contain many levels of insight into God and our relationship with Him.

Even though by all outward appearances Saul has been a successful king he has pretty much a disappointment to God. Saul's actions have grieved God to the point that He plans to remove Saul from the throne and choose another king.

Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel. (15:35)

David is chosen by God as the next king and the way the whole thing plays out is like a soap opera with all the twists and turns, the jealousy and complex web of relationships.

David is an interesting character. He seems to have supreme confidence and complete humility at the same time. Because of his victory over Goliath David is granted the king's daughter in marriage...but he's not so sure he wants to accept:

But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” (18:23)

This is David's perception of himself even though only a few verses earlier we read:

But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. (18:16)

David seems to be a great example of a person whose confidence is based on God and God alone and has a very clear understanding that he is nothing but a tool in God's hand.

Confidence and humility...a rare and powerful combination.