Anointing of the Hidden Shepherd

The Bible parades kings in golden palaces, crowned amid cheers and trumpets.

But David’s story begins in silence— where no eyes watched, no songs were sung. In the humble house

of Jesse in Bethlehem, eight sons shared one roof. Seven stood tall, broad-shouldered,

war-hardened. Seven were summoned first. Seven lined up before the aged prophet

Samuel. God had rejected Saul, the towering king. Now the Lord whispered

to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil. Go. I have chosen one

from Jesse’s line.” One by one, Jesse paraded his eldest sons. Impressive.

Commanding. Battle-ready. Samuel’s heart stirred at the first: “Surely this is