Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Samuel 16:11 (New Living Translation)

Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

The prophet Samuel was looking for the next king of God’s people. God sent Samuel to Jesse to look at Jesse’s sons. There was one more son—David. He was doing what a king should be doing: he was watching the sheep and goats.

Consider the act of watching the sheep and goats. Consider what a leader, King, or representative should be doing.

Watching.

Observe. Notice. Note. Consider. These are acts of a leader. They are more difficult to see than prancing about kissing babies and glad-handing the populace.

Perhaps God is showing us something that we could learn and do.