Haiku of choosing
Saul was rejected.
God told Samuel, the Judge,
to choose a new king.
Fill your horn with oil,
go to the house of Jesse;
it’s at Bethlehem.
One of Jesse’s sons
is destined to be made king.
I have chosen him.
If Saul hears of it
I’m dead meat! Take a heifer;
make a sacrifice.
The elders come out
from Bethlehem. They’re trembling.
Have you come in peace?
I make sacrifice
to God. Come, join me. You too,
Jesse; and your sons.
The first, Eliab,
came before him. Surely he
is God’s anointed!
But no; for God looks
not upon a man’s stature,
but upon his heart.
In all, seven sons
are brought before Samuel.
Is there another?
The youngest, David,
is with the sheep. Send for him,
we’ll wait ‘til he comes.
The lad was ruddy.
Take your oil and anoint him;
he’s the one, says God.
© Ken Rookes 2023
