This time God's choice was not a king for the people according to their desires, but a king for Himself (v. 1) who would put Yahweh first (13:14; cf. Gal. 4:4-5). Saul would have perceived Samuel's anointing another man as king as an act of treason (v. 2). He showed more concern for his own interests than for the will of God. Evidently Samuel had gained a reputation as an executioner when he had killed Agag (v. 4; cf. 15:33).
Samuel judged Jesse's sons by their external qualities just as the Israelites judged Saul acceptable because of those characteristics (v. 6). Verse 7 clarifies how God evaluates people, namely, on the basis of their hearts (affections), not their appearance or abilities (cf. Matt. 3:17; Mark 10:31; 1 Cor. 1:27). As He had done earlier in Scriptural history, God chose the son that was not the natural choice showing that He does not bind Himself to what is traditional. It is unusual that Jesse did not have David present for Samuel's inspection since he too was one of his sons. This may suggest that Jesse did not think as highly of David as he did of his other sons (cf. Ps. 27:10, where David wrote of his parents forsaking him). Was David a neglected or even an abused child that his father viewed more as hired help than as a son?
"It's remarkable, isn't it, how Jesse reveals two very common mistakes parents make. Number one, he didn't have an equal appreciation for all of his children. And number two, he failed to cultivate a mutual self-respect among them. Jesse saw his youngest as nothing more than the one who tended the sheep."173
"The shepherd/flock image is a kind of Leitmotiffor David from this point on. . . . The book's last story shows David deeply concerned for the flock [2 Sam. 24:17]."174
David (probably meaning "beloved of the Lord") was physically attractive (v. 12; cf. Isa. 53:2). Nevertheless God did not choose him for that reason but because of God's sovereign election and because of David's heart attitude.175
"What does it mean to be a person after God's own heart? Seems to me, it means that you are a person whose life is in harmony with the Lord. What is important to Him is important to you. What burdens Him burdens you. When He says, God to the right,' you go to the right. When He says, Stop that in your life,' you stop it. When He says, This is wrong and I want you to change,' you come to terms with it because you have a heart for God."176
David and his family were the first after Samuel to learn that he would be the next king. In time all Israel would learn this as David became the instrument through whom God blessed the nation. He became successful because God's Spirit came on David, remained with him from then on, and empowered him for service (cf. Matt. 3:16-17).177
Verse 13 records Samuel's departure for his home in Ramah. At this point in the book he becomes a minor figure who no longer plays an active role in the progress of events. His anointing of David, therefore, was the climax and capstone of his career.
