1 Samuel 16:11 BSB
And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There’s still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
When Samuel saw Eliab, the firstborn son of Jesse, he immediately believed that this young man would be king. He stood tall and handsome, and he carried himself with the confidence that comes with the prized position of being the oldest. His future was secure, for by nature of birth, he would be responsible for managing all his father’s affairs, thus seeing to it that the wellbeing of his family would remain intact for generations to come.
While many would choose the tall, handsome soldier over the scrawny little shepherd boy, it turned out the herder of sheep had learned many things out in the wilderness. The solitude had taught him creativity, for he was a talented musician. Always having to find green pastures for his sheep had taught him how to plan and to think forward. Fighting to keeping his sheep safe from lions, bears, and the evils of the wilderness had taught him to be fearless.
When the time came to stand up for the future of a nation, the shepherd boy had all the credentials he needed. The lessons of a rugged wilderness were better preparation than being tall and handsome. May you learn from the adversities of this life; may you not allow your face and body to define you; may you have the courage to face the giants, and in the name of God, bring them all down.
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