A free printable Bible study for your group.

Want everyone to read 1 Samuel 16 during the week, answer privately, and see every answer appear together when you meet? That's Favor. Start your free week or see the 1 Samuel 16 Bible study.

Bible study · 1 Samuel 16:1-23

1 Samuel 16: The LORD looks at the heart

Read 1 Samuel 16:1-23 before you meet.

In a few lines

"I have provided a king for myself" (16:1) is, in Hebrew, I have seen: the verb of "man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (16:7). And "the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward" (16:13) stands one verse from "Now the LORD’s Spirit departed from Saul" (16:14).

The verse to carry

“But the LORD 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 the LORD looks at the heart.””

1 Samuel 16:7

To talk about

  1. 1. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (16:7). Where are you most likely to judge by outward appearance: other people, or yourself?

  2. 2. When his brothers passed before Samuel, the youngest was "keeping the sheep" (16:11). What ordinary, unseen work is in front of you right now, and how could you do it knowing that the LORD sees it?

  3. 3. When David played, "Saul was refreshed and was well" (16:23). Who has God used to bring you relief when you were troubled, and who could you do that for this week?

Prayer requests