March 23, 2026 - 1 Samuel 16-18

“The LORD said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?  Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons” (16:1).  Of course, that son was David.  Have you ever had the experience of someone apologizing for something, apology being accepted by you, and the apology repeated several more times.  A good response seems to be, “We’ve already taken care of that matter.  It’s done.  Quit belaboring the point.  Move on!”  Mom has often quoted Elizabeth Elliot who counsels the person frozen in place, maybe overwhelmed with circumstances, and too uncertain to move ahead, “Just do the next thing!”  That is, it’s not necessary to take on all the world’s problems, or even your own, all at once.  That would be overwhelming.  Just get on with things.  Do the next thing.  Here, with Samuel, his response, or lack of movement, is even more problematic.  God has spoken.  He has rejected Saul as king.  Samuel does not need to continue to dwell on that matter.  It’s time for a new king, one after his own heart and who will rule wisely and well.  And the story continues . . .

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,

great David’s greater Son!

Hail in the time appointed,

his reign on earth begun!

He comes to break oppression,

to set the captive free;

to take away transgression,

and rule in equity.   -- James Montgomery (1821)