Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

and more nearly resembled Saul in height and good looks than the
others. As Samuel looked at his princely bearing, he thought, "This
is indeed the man whom God has chosen as successor to Saul," and
waited for the divine permission to anoint him.
But Eliab did not fear the Lord. He would have been a proud,
demanding ruler. The Lord's word to Samuel was, "Do not look at
his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.
For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." We may learn from the
mistake of Samuel how useless it is to judge people by how
beautiful or how handsome and tall they are. God's thoughts
regarding His creatures are above our finite minds. But if they will
submit their will to God, His children will be brought to fill the
place for which they are qualified, and enabled to accomplish the
work committed to their hands.
The Shepherd Boy Is Called to the Feast
Eliab passed from Samuel's inspection, and the six brothers
who were at the service followed one after another for the prophet to
observe them. But the Lord did not indicate that He had chosen any
one of them. With painful suspense, Samuel had looked at the last of
the young men. Puzzled and perplexed, he asked, "Are all the young
men here?" The father answered, "There remains yet the youngest,
and there he is, keeping the sheep." Samuel directed that he be
called. "We will not sit down until he comes here."
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