1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
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Bible Commentary
1 Samuel 16:7 is a Bible verse in the Old Testament where Samuel is looking for the new king the Lord called him to anoint, in the wake of Saul’s unwillingness to follow God.
1 Samuel 16 is a very important chapter in the Bible because it is where we first meet David, a man after God’s own heart.
After Saul proved himself unwilling to follow God’s commands, Samuel went to him and said, “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” (1 Samuel 13:14)
In essence, when Saul became unwilling in his heart, God began seeking a man who was willing, and not only that but a man after His Own heart!
We can learn a HUGE lesson from this statement alone. God looks upon not only the surface—our work, studies or service, but He looks upon the attitudes of our hearts.
What is the truth inside there?
How do we really feel?
What do we really think?
Truth of the Heart
What looks good on the surface may have rottenness at the core. Do we perform the expected duties of a spouse or an employee, but inside we’re seething with resentment?
David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons and he had what was considered the lowliest job of all—tending sheep, and yet the attitude of his heart was pleasing to God.
It’s important to note that David’s anointing came after his calling.
He didn’t have a great attitude because he was anointed. He was called and anointed because he had a great attitude and walked closely with God.
Unlocking the Truth – God or Men
Don’t misunderstand. God is merciful to us when we fail and make mistakes. His mercy presents a new opportunity in every new day. But note Saul’s immediate reaction after Samuel rebuked him for disobeying God.
1 Samuel 13:15, “…And Saul numbered the people present with him, about six hundred men.”
Saul displayed absolutely no remorse at the rebuke of the Lord. The Bible records no words from him at all. He simply counted the number of people who were with him. He took comfort in people and not in God. He justified his actions because of the multitude who followed him.
If you fear and respect God, you will feel remorse at the hand of His discipline upon your life. You can take comfort in the people around you for a time, but what if those people go away? We must ask ourselves: Am I following people, or do I follow God?
We Have a Choice
God says in 1 Samuel 16:7, “…I have refused him…” Those words sound harsh, but God gives us a command and then gives us the choice to obey it or not.
2 Timothy 2:12 says, “…if we deny him, he also will deny us.” This doesn’t mean He doesn’t love us. He always will, but a loving father expects his children to obey him, for their own good and for their own protection.
We must continually seek the truth in our hearts and ask for His help to live in truth, so that we can be regarded like David, a person after God’s Own heart.
This journey will not only be pleasing to God, but you will like yourself better, and others will be drawn to the heart of God in you.
Study the Bible verse of 1 Samuel 16:7, and begin the journey of molding your heart after God’s.
