The Eighth Son of Jesse (1 Sam. 16)

The story of 1 Samuel 16 is a story of two strange visitations at Bethlehem – the first being the coming of the Prophet Samuel to anoint David; the second being the messengers of King Saul to take David to the king.

And at the heart of the chapter – at the heart of the two visits – is the movement of the Holy Spirit – rushing upon David, even as he departs from Saul.

We saw last time that the LORD rejected Saul as king because Saul does not fear God. Saul fears the people. A king who fears the people will not – in the end – lead them to do what is right in God's eyes.

Oh, he may do a few things right! And our author is a faithful author who points out many things that Saul does right. But if your central failing is that you fear the people rather than God – then you will not lead well.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom...