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1 Samuel 16 · Grade 5

Chosen From the Sheepfold

Name Date

Read and Think

The Lord gently rebuked Samuel for mourning over Saul and sent him to Bethlehem with a horn of oil. Samuel feared Saul's anger, so God provided a heifer and the setting of a sacrifice. Jesse and his sons were sanctified and invited.

As Jesse's sons passed by, Samuel was impressed by Eliab, much as Israel had been impressed by Saul's height. The Lord corrected him: Don't look on his face, or on the height of his stature. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart. Seven sons were passed over. Only when Samuel asked did Jesse mention the youngest, who was keeping the sheep. Even his father had not thought to call him.

David was brought in, and the Lord said, Arise! Anoint him, for this is he. Samuel anointed him in the middle of his brothers, and Yahweh's Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. At the same time, the Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him. In God's providence, Saul's servants recommended David, a skillful harpist of whom they said, Yahweh is with him. The anointed shepherd now served in the court of the rejected king.

Show What You Know

  1. Why was Samuel impressed by Eliab?

  2. What does the fact that Jesse did not call David show?

  3. What happened to Saul when the Spirit came on David?

  4. Where did the anointed shepherd end up serving?

Crossword

4321

Across

  1. David's father from Bethlehem (16:1)
  2. David played the ____ for Saul (16:23).
  3. Yahweh looks at the ____ (16:7).

Down

  1. David was keeping the ____ (16:11).
  2. Samuel took the ____ of oil (16:13).

Think About It

  1. Have you ever felt overlooked? How does David's story encourage you?

  2. How can you practice looking at others' hearts instead of their appearance?

Memory Verse

But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for looking at my heart. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What is ironic about David serving in Saul's court?
  • Why does God often choose people others overlook?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.