The old man, staff in hand, wearily strolled into the town square and looked around. He was obviously a man of great importance, judging by the way everyone was treating him. In the middle of the open arena he saw the hastily built altar and stepped forward to inspect it. He stared at it for a few minutes as the wind blew his thin hair on his face. “This will do”, he whispered to a younger man who stood by his side. The second man looked at him suspiciously as his long white beard moved as he spoke. “Please bring the heifer I came with. And call all the guests I’ve invited, it’s time for the afternoon sacrifice. “
With those instructions, the other man sped off. Other invited guests started streaming into the town square while speaking in hushed tones. Prophet Samuel had told the Bethlehem residents that he had come all the way from Ramah to their city just for a sacrifice. Nobody was buying that line. They knew that God had sent him here for something big. They just hoped that it was a good big thing. Samuel keenly looked at the surprised guests trooping into the square. A thin smile broke across his face when he saw one of the old men coming flanked by seven young, tall, strong and handsome men. “Yes Lord. The main event”, Samuel whispered to himself.
When all the men had gathered in the open square he walked directly to the old man he had spotted earlier. “You must be Jesse the son of Obed”, he said. “Yes I am, highly distinguished prophet of the Lord. Your servant has come with his seven sons, just as you had commanded”, Jesse replied while bowing down in respect. “Let’s proceed then. We have something to do before we continue with the sacrifice.” Samuel opened the leather pouch he was carrying and took out his horn, which was filled with oil. At this point it dawned on Jesse what was happening. One of his sons was being anointed today! This sacrifice could be just a façade, a smoke screen to cover up the main event! Nevertheless, he composed himself and let Samuel continue with the ceremony.
Samuel asked for Jesse’s sons to be presented to him. Eliab, the oldest stepped forth. He was tall and handsome and his hands looked like those of one who was experienced in battle. His confident demeanor sealed the deal in Samuel’s eyes. “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed”, Samuel muttered under his breath as he proceeded to pour the oil in his horn on top of his head. “Stop”, he heard The Voice telling him. I have not chosen him. I’m not moved by people’s physical appearance as you are. Proceed with the inspection. I’ll let you know when he comes.” “No, that’s not who the Lord wants”, he said to Jesse as Abinadab stepped aside. He repeated a firm no as the rest of Jesse’s sons were paraded one by one before him. “Are these all your sons?” A disappointed Samuel asked Jesse. “All of them?” “Well”, Jesse replied, “technically there’s another one son, but he’s just tending our sheep. We figured out his presence is not going to be necessary here because important matters are taking place”. Samuel, now visibly angry barked at him, “Send him here. I’m not proceeding with this ceremony until he comes.”
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