But the Lord said to Samuel, “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.”
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 1 Sa 16:7.
The Heart. It is the biological component that drives our bodies to live. It pumps life giving blood to the rest of the body. Metaphorically however, it’s the storehouse of our true desire. It houses the intent that drives our actions. It can be hidden from man with false words and deception but not God. He sees through the facade to our most inner core.
Samuel was looking for a manly king who fit his expectation of what a king should look like. God had already picked out His man by looking into his heart which is why God had to be very clear with Samuel. I have chosen a man that at his core has what I am looking for in a leader that will honor me and lead my people. You will not find that in the men at which you are looking. You judge by appearance, God told him.
We learn eventually that even through his faults and sin that David came back to God every time. God even made the statement that David was a man “after His own heart”. Because God is omniscient and time is no barrier, He knew David would honor Him in his service as king.
As for you and me, we must come to realize that God sees through our facade which may be a shield to other people, but not God. It will be judgement day for some when that reality emerges. Unfortunately, that will be too late.