Excessive worry over self-image can derail us. From all indications, David the shepherd boy was not worried about self-image. He was the eighth son of Jesse and growing up he was assigned to watch sheep out in the wilderness. Because his chore of shepherding isolated him, young David spent a great deal of time alone. We know his rank of importance in sonship was minimal in the home because when the Lord sent Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint the new king of Israel, Jesse did not bother sending for his youngest son, David. Jesse presented all the older seven sons before the Lord’s prophet.
Samuel was impressed by all of Jesse’s good-looking sons. As they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, ‘Surely this is the LORD’S anointed.’ But the LORD told Samuel not to judge by outer appearance.’ In the same way, all seven sons came before Samuel. Finally, when Samuel realized the LORD had not chosen any of these sons, Samuel asked if this was all of Jesse’s sons. “’There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.’ ‘Send for him at once,’ Samuel said. ‘We will not sit down to eat until he arrives’” (see 1 Samuel 16:1-13).