1 Samuel 16:1-13 – When God Looks at the Heart

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These are my sermon notes for Sunday morning, February 22. They’re not a full manuscript—just a listening guide to help our Tabernacle Church family to follow along. I encourage you to add your own notes as you listen each week. The service will be available on YouTube by Sunday afternoon. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, our Prayer List, and more on our church website.

1 Samuel 16:1–13

INTRO

  • Israel demanded a king like the nations (1 Sam. 8:5).
  • Saul was chosen and anointed as Israel’s first king (1 Sam. 10:1).
  • Early success marked his reign, but cracks appeared quickly (1 Sam. 11–13).
  • Saul acted impatiently and presumptuously at Gilgal (1 Sam. 13:8–14).
  • He disobeyed the Lord’s clear command regarding Amalek (1 Sam. 15:9).
  • “The LORD has rejected you from being king” (1 Sam. 15:26).
  • Chapter 16 plays it our in more detail as the hearts are exposed.

God Rejects Saul – v. 1

  • “I have rejected him from being king over Israel.”
  • The rejection is settled
    • Not God’s weakness—Saul’s refusal to yield to God’s Word
  • God’s blessings and judgment
  • Covenant framework: blessings/curses (Deut. 11:26–28; 28:1–18)
    • OT: Israel as a national covenant people
    • NT: the church is not geo-political… it is a gathered people in covenant through Christ. We are spiritual covenant people. Personal relationships with Christ.
  • Obedience still matters under the New Covenant
    • Keeping Christ’s words (John 14:23)
    • Walk as He walked (1 John 2:3–6)
    • Fatherly discipline (Hebrews 12:5–11)
    • Warning to churches: lampstand removed (Rev. 2:5)
  • Saul looked right outwardly
  • Saul’s heart showed what he loved most
    • Selective obedience
    • Fear of man
    • Impatience/self-rule

God Chooses David – vv. 2–12

  • Bethlehem; Jesse’s house… ordinary place, surprising choice (v. 1, 4)
  • Samuel’s eyes vs. God’s eyes (vv. 6–7)
    • God evaluates the heart (v. 7)
    • “Heart” = inner direction of worship, trust, humility, and desire
  • David is overlooked at first (v. 11)
  • Private faithfulness precedes public usefulness
    • David tends sheep faithfully (v. v11)
    • God is preparing him to shepherd His people (cf. 2 Sam. 5:2; Ps. 78:70–72)

God Empowers David – v. 13

  • “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David…” (v. 13)
  • God sets David apart and marks him as His chosen servant and future king
  • “Rushed upon”… God-given enablement for the assignment
    • Strength for obedience
    • Strength for leadership/service
    • Endurance through suffering on the path ahead
  • OT to NT clarity on the Spirit
    • OT: empowerment for role/task. God would give and take.
    • NT: indwelling/sealing of believers. Permanent at conversion.
      • Anointed / set apart (1 John 2:20; 2 Cor. 1:21)
      • Sealed / confirmed (Eph. 1:13)
      • Empowered for mission and life (Acts 1:8)
        • Personal holiness (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:16)
        • Witness and discipleship (Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8)
        • Endurance in suffering (2 Tim. 1:7–8)

The What Now

  • Check your heart. What does your obedience reveal?
  • Trust God’s sovereign hand. He sees what you cannot see
  • Live Spirit-filled. Walk in dependence on Christ for obedience and mission

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