This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 1 Samuel 16:1-13, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, there was a man named Saul who was the king of Israel. But God was not happy with Saul because he had not been a good king. So God told a man named Samuel to go to the town of Bethlehem and find a new king from among the sons of a man named Jesse.
Samuel was scared to go because he was afraid that Saul would try to hurt him, but God told him to take a heifer with him and say that he had come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem, he invited Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice.
When Jesse’s sons came before Samuel, he thought that the oldest son, Eliab, was surely the one that God had chosen. The Lord instructed Samuel, “Do not base your judgment on his appearance or his height, for I have refused him. The Lord does not see things as humans do; people judge by outward appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Jesse presented Abinadab to Samuel, but he was not chosen. The same happened with Shammah and seven other sons. Samuel informed Jesse, “The Lord has not selected any of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons, and Jesse said that he had one more son, but he was out taking care of the sheep. So Samuel asked Jesse to bring that son to him, and when he arrived, God told Samuel that this was the one he had chosen. This son’s name was David.
So Samuel anointed David with oil, which means he put oil on David’s head to show that he was chosen by God. And from that day on, God’s Spirit was with David.
Biblical Lessons
- God chooses people based on what’s in their heart, not just on what they look like on the outside.
- Sometimes the person we least expect can be the one that God chooses.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
Desiring God
Piper unpacks "Christian Hedonism": that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, grounded in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Cost of Discipleship
A penetrating look at Jesus' call to follow Him, contrasting cheap grace with true, costly discipleship.
View on Amazon
Finally Alive
A biblical exploration of the new birth and why regeneration is at the heart of the Christian life.
View on Amazon
The Discipline of Grace
Shows how God's grace and our disciplined effort work together in sanctification.
View on Amazon
The Enemy Within
A modern, accessible summary of John Owen's teaching on indwelling sin and the believer's battle.
View on Amazon
According to Plan
An introduction to biblical theology that shows how all Scripture points to Christ.
View on Amazon
Biblical Theology
A classic work tracing the progressive revelation of God's redemptive plan in Scripture.
View on Amazon
Just Do Something
A wise, biblical approach to knowing God's will without paralysis or mysticism.
View on Amazon
The Attributes of God
Devotional meditations on God's character that stir reverence and worship.
View on Amazon
A Body of Divinity
A warm, devotional exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism's doctrines.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Summarizes key doctrines of Scripture in concise questions and answers.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Confession of Faith
A historic confession that systematically sets forth Reformed theology from Scripture.
View on Amazon
Christian Beliefs
A shorter, accessible overview of 20 basic Christian doctrines for everyday believers.
View on Amazon
Worship Matters
Helps worship leaders and churches keep the gospel central in congregational worship.
View on Amazon
God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment
Argues that God's glory in salvation through judgment is the central theme of Scripture.
View on Amazon
Gentle and Lowly
Meditates on Christ's heart for sinners and sufferers from key biblical texts.
View on Amazon
Religious Affections
Examines the nature of true spiritual experience and the marks of genuine conversion.
View on Amazon