1 Samuel 16:6-13

Human and Divine judgments contrasted.

The facts are—

1 . Samuel, being impressed with the appearance of Eliab, concludes that he is the coming king.

2 . An intimation is given that Eliab is not the man, and the reason assigned for the imperfect judgment of Samuel is, that man looks on the outward appearance, but God on the heart.

3 . It being found that the other sons were not chosen of God, inquiry is made concerning the absent one.

4 . On the youngest being brought, Samuel at once recognises him as the chosen of God, and, in obedience to the voice of God, anoints him in the midst of the family.

5 . Henceforth the Spirit of the Lord rests on David. We have here the introduction of an entirely new feature in the development of Israel's mission in the world. The former choice of a king was virtually man's. The initiation of the choice was taken in the desire to have a king to embody their idea of government ( 1 Samuel 8:5 , 1 Samuel 8:19 , 1 Samuel 8:20 ). In this case the people are not consulted or heeded. God selects the man according to his knowledge of what is best. The human device had failed; the Divine choice can now come in with impressiveness. Yet human instrumentality brings to pass God's purpose. Samuel, however, is influenced by the appearance of things, and has to learn that even the judgment of the wise and good is liable to err. The essential imperfection of man s judgment as compared with God's is explained by the fact that man's knowledge does not enter into the realities of things as does God's.

I. LIFE IS A SERIES OF JUDGMENTS . In every act of perception there is involved an intuitive judgment; and in every comparison of different objects, as also in every course of silent reasoning, a decision is arrived at which helps to form the stock of ideas constituting our knowledge. Thus do we acquire opinions respecting the value of men and things. In some persons there is a tendency to criticise human actions and words, and to proceed from what is clear to the senses to a deliberate judgment on the invisible; but in all there is a necessity of nature by which, apart from criticism, some estimate is formed of every one coming under our observation. This necessity of our nature is full of advantage. It is the means of enrichment to the mind; it furnishes a basis for friendship; it preserves from treachery; it facilitates the intercourse of life; and when the series of judgments is formed, under the guidance of such light as Christ gives, it constitutes an imperishable fount of enjoyment when this life is past.

II. GOD ALSO HAS HIS JUDGMENT OF THINGS . It is not correct to speak of God's knowledge in the terms applicable to man; for he does not pass from the small to the great, the obscure to the clear, the sensible to the invisible. Yet it may be said of God that there is in his mind a clear judgment respecting each, as to what it essentially is, and what its value in the great economy of the universe. To say that God knows us altogether is another way of saying that he has a judgment of our character and position. It is a solemn fact for us that the Eternal adjudges our actions and thoughts one by one as they arise ( Revelation 20:12 ), and the day of judgment will be a summary of the judgments passed on our actions one by one as they occur. If men only had more faith in God, and did but let a knowledge of his estimate of actions influence their lives, what wonders we should see!

III. MAN 'S JUDGMENT AND GOD 'S JUDGMENT ARE OFTEN VERY DIFFERENT . Possibly, while the distinction between infinite and finite exists, there can never he a perfect coincidence of the human and Divine judgment, in the strictest sense of the term. But apart from this there are several aspects of the truth affirmed and illustrated in the case of Samuel.

1 . The constitution of things. We know and judge only of the appearance of things. The material universe, even when subjected to the scrutiny of the most correct scientific appliances, and reduced to the last analysis of elements, is only known on the outside. What the ultimate relation of the primary forces to the one almighty Power, and why they work in certain observed lines to which we give the name "laws," we know not. The same is true of mind. It is a vast world, on the outer fringe only of which we at present can gaze. Not so God's. As Author and Upholder of all, he has an estimate of the internal, essential constitution of things more perfect than our estimate of the outward appearance. Hence the folly of men professing to say what cannot be; or that the universe, as seen by us in operation, is to be and has been always thus. Hence the wisdom of submitting to the revealed truth of God when it touches on his relation to the order of things and the mysteries of his own ineffable Being ( Matthew 28:19 ; John 7:28 ).

2 . The worth of lines of action. Man's judgment is freely expressed in reference to certain lines of action pursued by what are called the "great." The heroes of the world have often won admiration for deeds which, had man's judgment been based on a finer perception of what constitutes greatness, would have been buried in oblivion. Have not the most costly monuments been raised to warriors? Is not the world's idea of "glory" that of conquering by force of arms, or the enjoyment of wealth and splendour? The judgment of God is not thus. Be looks on the heart of things. True greatness lies in saving, healing, curing, elevating, purifying, binding in bonds of peace and goodwill. Imagine Jesus Christ raising an Arc de Triomphe! Imagine him conferring highest honours on men of great and bloody victories I Imagine him pointing to wealth as the goal of a youth's ambition! The noblest men are those who best reproduce the spirit and deeds of the Son of God.

3 . Human character. Man's judgment of character is necessarily imperfect; for words are not always a revelation of the inner man, but the reverse, and the seat of motive is not pierced by the human eye. There is often a worse heart than appears on the surface of a man's conduct, and, also, a better heart than a marl sometimes gets credit for, We are too apt to be influenced by prejudice, social considerations, personal interests, and to estimate the principles of others by the narrow standard of our own. Some men are suspicious, or self-righteous, or limited in their area of observation, and therefore they can never be sure of their judgment of other men. Others are easily caught by what is fair and conformable to custom, and, like Samuel, they spring to hasty conclusions. It is better often to fall into the hands of God than of man. On the other hand, God's judgment of us is perfect. The most secret avenue of thought and feeling is naked and open to his eye. He reads us entirely. His knowledge is not inferential from words and actions, but is that of the disposition and hidden motive ( Psalms 139:1-24 .).

4 . Fitness for position. Samuel was in error in supposing that the qualities which might be inferred from his outward appearance to exist in Eliab would enable him to perform the part required of a true king in Israel. God alone knew the high spiritual work to be done by the coming king, and he alone could see the latent qualities in David by which it could be performed. At best our judgment is guess work. We especially feel this in seeking to fill up secular offices, and more so when making appointments to spiritual duties ( Acts 1:24 ; 1 Timothy 5:22 ).

General lessons : —

1 . There is abundant scope in life for caution, patience, charity in our estimate of others.

2 . The best qualities of life are not always those which come to the surface on first acquaintance.

3 . It should be an effort to be inwardly such as God will approve, and then all else will follow in due course.

4 . Reticence in reference to the character of others is the sign of a proper estimate of our powers.

5 . It should be a spring of comfort to the sincere that God knows them and approves when man errs in judgment.