Seminary
Lesson 73: 1 Samuel 16—“The Lord Looketh on the Heart”
Christ healing a man at the Pool of Bethesda

1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16: Lesson 73

1 Samuel 16

“The Lord Looketh on the Heart”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

The Lord revealed to Samuel that He had chosen David to succeed Saul as king of Israel. Through this experience, Samuel learned that the Lord sees us differently than people usually see one another. This lesson can help you feel the importance of seeing yourself and others like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do.

Study the Scriptures

Look at the image below. Based on what you see, what are three things you assume about this person?

an inmate walks around the prison grounds

notebook iconPonder and complete the following prompts in your notebook:

  1. When someone first meets me, I think they are most likely to notice.

  2. I believe Heavenly Father sees the following qualities in me that many others don’t see: .

  3. When I first meet other people, I tend to notice .

  4. If I could see others as Heavenly Father does, it could help me to .

As you study 1 Samuel 16, prayerfully invite the Holy Ghost to help you feel the importance of seeing yourself and others more like God does.

During the prophet Samuel’s day, the Israelites desired a king. Saul was chosen to be the king and ruled for a time. But because of Saul’s disobedience, the Lord rejected him as king of Israel (see 1 Samuel 13:13–14; 15:26–28).

mark iconRead 1 Samuel 16:1–5. Mark the task the Lord sent Samuel to Bethlehem to complete.

Read verses 6–13, looking for the counsel the Lord gave Samuel about identifying the future king.

note icon One of the truths Samuel learned was this: God sees our true potential by looking at our hearts rather than our outward appearance. In a note next to verse 7, record this truth.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.

Option A

How does God see me?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, said:

23:28
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Heavenly Father’s interest in you does not depend on how rich or beautiful or healthy or smart you are. He sees you not as the world sees you; He sees who you really are. He looks on your heart. And He loves you because you are His child. (“Your Wonderful Journey Home,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 128)

Study two or more of the following doctrinal mastery passages, looking for how God feels about us and how perfectly He knows us.

notebook iconIn your notebook, list two or more of the doctrinal mastery passages you studied. Include a brief explanation of how they help you understand how God feels about you.

share icon Share one of the passages that is meaningful to you with a friend or family member you feel could be helped by the passage.

Option B

What can I do to see myself as God does?

Read 1 Samuel 16:14–23, looking for the influence that music had on Saul.

Note: the Joseph Smith Translation of verses 14, 15, 16, and 23 clarifies that the evil spirit that was bothering Saul was not of God.

young man playing guitar

For the Strength of Youth: A Guidebook for Making Choices states:

There are many good and wholesome things in this world. Just as your body is affected by what you eat and drink, your mind and spirit are profoundly affected by what you read, watch, and listen to. (“Walk in God’s light,” For the Strength of Youth, 16–21)

The music you listen to has an influence on your life. Find a favorite verse of a hymn or a song from the Youth Music website that helps you see yourself as God does. Sing or listen to the piece you’ve chosen.

notebook iconRecord in your notebook reasons why the lyrics are meaningful to you. Explain how the lyrics or music help you see yourself as God does.

In your notebook, write another verse to the hymn or additional lyrics to the song you found. Include what you learned from 1 Samuel 16:7.

Now What?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared:

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I believe the Savior Jesus Christ would want you to see, feel, and know that He is your strength. That with His help, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. That your potential is limitless. He would want you to see yourself the way He sees you. And that is very different from the way the world sees you. (“Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth,” Liahona, Oct. 2022, 9)

notebook icon Choose one of the following options and record your thoughts in your notebook. Be sure to include what you have learned about God from the scriptures or Church leaders:

  • Reflect on someone who sees the good in you, despite your weaknesses and mistakes. How does their influence impact your self-perception? Consider how their perspective aligns with how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ see you.

  • Describe someone you’ve grown to love and admire. What qualities do you now recognize in them that others might miss? Note whether you have felt promptings from the Holy Ghost about helping them see themselves as God sees them.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you feel the importance of seeing yourself and others like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

  • Your response from the “Now What?” section of the lesson.

  • The additional lyrics or verse you added to the song or hymn.

  • Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

  • Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?