He arrives at the house of Jesse, father of many sons. Surely, the tallest, strongest, most kingly looking son must be God's choice. That's what Samuel thought when he saw Eliab, Jesse's eldest.
But here's the twist. The text tells us that God allowed Samuel to be deceived! Why? According to Legends of the Jews, as retold by Ginzberg, it was to teach Samuel a lesson in humility. Samuel had been a little too proud of his prophetic abilities – calling himself "the seer." This was a divine reminder that no one, not even a prophet, can foresee everything.
It's a pretty human moment, isn't it? Even those chosen by God are fallible.
Now, here’s something even more fascinating: Initially, God had considered Eliab! But, and this is a big but, Eliab's fiery temper and quickness to anger disqualified him. David, the youngest, seemingly insignificant shepherd, was chosen instead.
So, how did Samuel know it was David? He was taught by a special revelation that the despised youngest son of Jesse was to be king. It’s a beautiful image: God whispering secrets to those who listen. The king wasn't chosen for his strength or stature, but for something deeper, something within his heart.
But what about Eliab? Did he just fade into obscurity, bitter and resentful? The story doesn't leave him empty-handed. His daughter becomes the wife of Rehoboam, ensuring that Eliab, too, would be among the ancestors of the kings of Judah. So, even Samuel's initial vision of Eliab as king wasn't entirely wrong. There’s a kind of cosmic balancing act at play. Everyone gets a piece of the story.
What does this tell us? Perhaps it's about the unexpected paths life takes. Or maybe it's a reminder that even when we're overlooked, our story isn't over. And sometimes, just sometimes, the most unassuming among us are destined for greatness. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What potential lies hidden within each of us, waiting for its moment to shine?