God’s standards are different from those of man’s
The story of King David offers a profound exploration of how God’s judgement and choices transcend human expectations of what “presidential material” should look like. Even though David’s family thought he was an unlikely king, God chose him because of his character rather than his looks. His transformation from a young shepherd to Israel’s greatest king emphasises that God has greater wisdom and leadership standards than humans. From Samuel’s anointing of David to his unorthodox acts of faith, we witness how divine insight unveils potentials frequently hidden from ordinary men’s view.
King David’s story exemplifies how God’s judgement and choices diverge significantly from human expectations and standards for “presidential material.” David, a young shepherd leading a pastoral life, might not have appeared as a likely candidate for kingship in the eyes of his family or society. Yet God recognised qualities in David that others, including his family, overlooked. The Lord’s statement, “I have found my servant David; with my sacred oil I have anointed him,” emphasises the divine understanding of David’s potential and the idea that God’s standards are very different from those of humans. God’s wisdom is greater than ours because He reminds us that His ways are not ours and that sometimes what seems foolish to us is wiser.
This theme of divine preference over human expectations is illustrated in the story of Samuel’s mission to anoint a new king from Jesse’s sons. Samuel, a prophet, initially mistook outward appearances for kingly qualities, assuming Eliab was chosen based on his physical stature. However, God corrected Samuel, emphasising that He values the heart over physical appearances. This incident reveals a critical lesson: God evaluates individuals based on internal virtues rather than external attributes, a concept also reflected in the judgement from Michal, David’s wife, who scorned David for his unkingly behaviour during his dance before the Ark of God. Michal’s disdain for David’s apparent lack of dignity and royal decorum underscores the societal expectations of leadership, which David defied.
Despite lacking the conventional markers of “presidential material” that King Saul had, such as style, looks, refinement, or noble lineage, David distinguished himself through his deeds. His leadership and military prowess led Israel to victory over its enemies, cementing his legacy as Israel’s greatest king. David’s life story is a powerful testament to the idea that God’s selection and approval are not contingent on human standards of nobility, appearance, or conventional wisdom but on deeper, intrinsic values and the capacity to fulfil God’s will.
