March 11, 2026

Journeying to Discernment

Donna K. Whitney | Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13

(Image by: Pixabay)

Lectionary Week

March 9–15, 2026

Scripture Overview

All four scriptures for this week explore the importance of discernment. The Gospel reading uses images of vision and blindness to engage deeper reflection about ethical and spiritual awareness and the ways in which we are to respond to what we discern. The reading from 1 Samuel illustrates Samuel’s journey into discernment and invites us to consider the degree to which we see ourselves and others as God sees. The Twenty-third Psalm suggests that in our deepest darkness, there remains the possibility of an encounter with God. In Ephesians, the writer uses images of sleep and death as foils for the truth of Christ. Embedded in the epistle is an apparent contradiction that invites discernment regarding silence and speech.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read John 9:1-41. How do you understand healing as distinct from curing? What practices does your spiritual tradition offer for engaging your own inner capacity for healing and wholeness?
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Who do we as individuals and communities fail to see as God sees them, maybe even failing to see them at all?
Read Psalm 23. Recall a difficult time in which you encountered God in a particularly deep way. How do your inevitable experiences with suffering and evil challenge and/or strengthen your faith?
Read Ephesians 5:8-14. What do you as an individual want to wake up from? What do you want to wake up for?

Respond by posting a prayer.

¹ The LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to grieve over Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and get going. I’m sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have found my next king among his sons.” ² “How can I do that?” Samuel asked. “When Saul hears of it he’ll kill me!” “Take a heifer with you,” the LORD replied, “and say, ‘I have come to make a sacrifice to the LORD.’ ³ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will make clear to you what you should do. You will anoint for me the person I point out to you.” ⁴ Samuel did what the LORD instructed. When he came to Bethlehem, the city elders came to meet him. They were shaking with fear. “Do you come in peace?” they asked. ⁵ “Yes,” Samuel answered. “I’ve come to make a sacrifice to the LORD. Now make yourselves holy, then come with me to the sacrifice.” Samuel made Jesse and his sons holy and invited them to the sacrifice as well. ⁶ When they arrived, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, That must be the LORD’s anointed right in front. ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven’t selected him. God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the LORD sees into the heart.” ⁸ Next Jesse called for Abinadab, who presented himself to Samuel, but he said, “The LORD hasn’t chosen this one either.” ⁹ So Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “No, the LORD hasn’t chosen this one.” ¹⁰ Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD hasn’t picked any of these.” ¹¹ Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Is that all of your boys?” “There is still the youngest one,” Jesse answered, “but he’s out keeping the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel told Jesse, “because we can’t proceed until he gets here.” ¹² So Jesse sent and brought him in. He was reddish brown, had beautiful eyes, and was good-looking. The LORD said, “That’s the one. Go anoint him.” ¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him right there in front of his brothers. The LORD’s spirit came over David from that point forward. Then Samuel left and went to Ramah.

Notice the development in Samuel’s capacity for discernment. The first son of Jesse that he sees seems like a perfectly good candidate to be king. But the Lord tells Samuel that Eliab is not the one, and he gives Samuel some guidance as to the matter of discernment: “Do not...

Subscribe to Continue Reading

All-seeing God, we pray for the gift of discernment. We pray for open, wise, and compassionate hearts and minds, so that we might see ourselves and see one another as you see us. Amen.

2 Comments