1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and with of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said… The aged Samuel and the youthful David contrasted present a touching subject, for contemplation. Samuel had weathered the storms of life for many weary years; David had scarcely commenced to fight his life battles. Samuel was about to enter into rest; David had to live and work and fight. Samuel had one important duty to perform, and then he could lay down his weapons — that duty had reference to the youthful David. 1. The despised of man is in this case the chosen of God. It seems that David was not thought much of at home, but God valued him highly. How often has it happened that boys who have been the subjects of special care, being regarded as geniuses, have repaid the care taken with them by running wild, and thus piercing a tender mother's and a loving father's heart. Whereas, on the other hand, some who have been comparatively neglected, can account of their seeming stupidity, have turned out, real heroes, the props of parents' declining years. "Many a gem" that shall sparkle brightly in the place of happiness is here unseen, and "many a flower" that shall bloom in the soil of Paradise hides its head on earth, like the "modest" violet. Poor Christians, never heed if you are slighted by purse-proud brethren. Jesus will say to you by and by, "Come up higher;" while He will say to those, "Go down lower." Everyone, sooner or later, will find his proper level. Merit will be rewarded, if not in this world, in the next. As Christians, we can well afford to wait for our exaltation. 2. What sort, of a youth was this David? David was a true child of nature. As "a blithesome shepherd-boy." he was always reading in her wide-extended book, which told him of the glories of the God of the Hebrews. As nature's child, he could sing with all artlessness unto nature's God. He glorified God in his own shepherd language, as the shepherd of Israel. David's personal appearance was but the reflex of his inward beauty! where it exists ii; stamps its image upon the plainest countenance, and makes it lovely. David, ruddy and beautiful, was called by God; hence let us learn that God requires the young, the beautiful, to be His servants. Now, I take this picture of David to be a good type of the Church of Christ. It is certain that the ideal Christ, of which we love to think, will be "ruddy, beautiful, and goodly to look to" it, all completeness, but this is in measure the appearance of the real Church of today. "Ruddy, and beautiful, and goodly to look to" — oh. yes! for she is baptised with the Redeemer's blood; His own image impressed upon her makes her exceedingly lovely. Do you ask "Where is the proof of her vigour?" Ten thousand proofs are at hand. On the icy plains of the far North some are found who delight in calling upon the name of the Lord Down at the extreme South are those who worship the Father in spirit and in truth. Thank God, the church can never lose its youthful vigour whilst young recruits are stepping up in the ranks to supply vacancies caused by the removal of hoary warriors whose warfare is ended. 3. Let us make one or two other practical remarks on this passage. The Lord's people form a family; but there are many who, like David in the next, are not now in the family circle: many are keeping sheep for Satan, and refuse to attend the family meal. God says, "Send and fetch them, for we will not sit down till they come hither." A great feast day is approaching, when all true worshippers shall sit down in the banqueting house, and feast with Jesus. God wants to have a full house then. Shall Satan's dram shops, and public houses, and dancing saloons be filled on earth, and the Lord's table empty in heaven? No. "Send and fetch" them in the name of God. Ages have rolled by since David departed from earth; but do no sweet sounds of David's harp still linger on the ear. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." (A. H. Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. |
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