Lesson 87

1 Samuel 16

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. One way you can prepare to be taught by the Holy Ghost is by showing reverence for God and the scriptures.

Begin your study with prayer.

Take a minute to think about how much the Lord loves you. He loves you perfectly and consequently has high expectations for you. Have you ever wondered if you measure up to His expectations? As you watch this video, look for how Elder J. Devn Cornish of the Seventy answers the question “Am I good enough?”

Which Would You Choose?

Imagine someone gave you a choice between two gifts. One gift was large and wrapped perfectly, and the other gift was small, misshapen, and not wrapped well. Which gift would you choose to open? Why would you make that choice?

Sometimes we may judge other people based on outward appearances. As you study 1 Samuel 16:1–13, look for a principle that will help you avoid judging others based on outward appearances.

The Next King of Israel

Remember that the Lord rejected Saul as the king of Israel (see 1 Samuel 15:26). In 1 Samuel 16:1–2 we read that the Lord commanded the prophet Samuel to seek out Saul’s successor. A successor is someone that takes the place or role that was held by another.

This was a difficult task for Samuel because he feared Saul would kill him if Saul found out Samuel had anointed a new king. The Lord told Samuel to go to Bethlehem to meet with a man named Jesse. Jesse had eight sons, one of whom would be anointed king.

Read 1 Samuel 16:3, looking for how the Lord would let Samuel know which of Jesse’s sons to anoint as the next king of Israel. The word shew is an old English spelling of the word show. In this verse, we read that the Lord showed Samuel which son should be king.

What Samuel Saw

In 1 Samuel 16:4–6 we read that Samuel went to Bethlehem and called Jesse and his family to come with him to offer a sacrifice. While there, Jesse presented his sons to Samuel. Impressed by the physical appearance of Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab, Samuel said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him” (1 Samuel 16:6).

Read 1 Samuel 16:7, looking for what the Lord told Samuel after Samuel remarked that Eliab should be the next king.

How the Lord Sees Us

One truth we can identify from 1 Samuel 16:7 is that God judges us by our hearts rather than our outward appearance.

Watch the following video or read the statement by Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915–94) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Look for insights into what it means to be judged by our hearts.

Read the following statement by Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915–94) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Look for insights into what it means to be judged by our hearts.

“When the Lord measures an individual, … He measures the heart as an indicator of his capacity and potential to bless others.

“Why the heart? Because the heart is a synonym for one’s entire makeup. …

“The measure of our hearts is the measure of our total performance. As used by the Lord, the ‘heart’ of a person describes his effort to better self, or others, or the conditions he confronts” (Marvin J. Ashton, “The Measure of Our Hearts,” Ensign, Nov. 1988, 15).

1. Answer the following questions:

• According to Elder Ashton, what does the Lord measure when He judges us by our hearts?

• Why is it important for you to know that God judges you by your heart and not by your physical appearance?

• How can knowing this help you feel the Lord’s love for you or increase your love for the Lord?

Our Physical Appearance

Although God judges us by our hearts, He still expects us to take care of our bodies and be neat and clean in our physical appearance. Being neat and clean in appearance helps us visibly express our inward covenant of taking upon us the name of Christ.

If you wish to learn more about this topic, you can read the “Dress and Appearance” section from For the Strength of Youth.

Outward Appearances and God’s Perspective—“The Lord Looketh on the Heart”

Remember the two gifts mentioned at the beginning of this lesson? This object lesson assumes that we will misjudge or think less of the contents of the less-appealing package. But it is also possible for us to think too highly of things that look appealing. Recall that 1 Samuel 16:6 records that Samuel honored Eliab based on his good appearance. The Lord helped Samuel know that one of Eliab’s brothers, and not Eliab, should be the next king despite his younger age.

2. Answer the following questions:

• Why is it important for you to understand that God judges all His children by more than just their physical appearance?

• When have you or someone you know been blessed by looking beyond another’s outward appearance? Please describe your experience.

Saul’s Successor

Let’s return to the account in 1 Samuel 16. Read 1 Samuel 16:8–13, looking for what happened as Samuel continued seeking for the new king among Jesse’s sons.

Quiz 1

1. Who did the Lord tell Samuel to anoint as the new king of Israel?

   1. Abinadab

   2. Jesse

   3. David

2. What did he look like? Choose all that apply.

   1. Ruddy (meaning having a red complexion or red hair)

   2. “Of a beautiful countenance”

   3. Large in stature

3. What happened when he was anointed?

   1. He began to prophesy.

   2. The Spirit came upon him.

   3. His brothers hated him.

Saul’s Troubled Spirit

After Samuel anointed David to be the next king, “the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit which was not of the Lord troubled him” (Joseph Smith Translation, 1 Samuel 16:14, footnote c). If your Bible includes the Joseph Smith Translation, you might also want to refer to verses 15, 16, and 23, where it clarifies that the evil spirit that troubled Saul was not of the Lord.

Saul had seriously offended God by disobeying His commandments. Sin is one of the things that can trouble our spirits, and Saul was likely feeling the consequences of his sins. When his servants saw him in his troubled state, they suggested bringing in someone to play music to calm his soul (see 1 Samuel 16:15–16).

Read 1 Samuel 16:17–18, looking for how one of Saul’s servants described David.

Saul’s Armor-Bearer

We learn in 1 Samuel 16:19–22 that Saul sent messengers to Jesse and requested that David be sent to the king. David went with the king’s servants and was presented before the king. Saul loved David and made him his armor-bearer, which was a person selected by the king to carry his armor and to stand by the king in times of danger. In this way, David was introduced into the palace and the future seat of power he had been ordained to inherit (see 1 Samuel 16:13). David was following God’s plan. As a result, God’s design for him was unfolding according to the divine timetable.

David and His Harp

David was talented. Read 1 Samuel 16:23, looking for the effect that David’s harp playing had on Saul. Remember that the Joseph Smith Translation of verse 14 states that Saul was troubled by an evil spirit “which was not of the Lord”(in verse 14, footnote c).

How did Saul feel when David played for him?

The Condition of Our Hearts

Although Saul may have temporarily felt better by listening to spiritually uplifting music, the only way Saul could have found lasting peace was by repenting. The same is true for us.

The verses in 1 Samuel 16 teach many truths, but the one we focused on today is this:

• God judges us by our hearts rather than our outward appearance.

When you are tempted to judge others by their outward appearance, ask yourself how God sees them. Remember that everyone you meet is a child of God and that He sent Jesus Christ to save all of us.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) c; (2) a, b; (3) b