to make him sit with nobles.”​—Ps. 113:5-8.

One who appreciated this was David. In recognition of what God had done in his behalf, he said: “It is your humility that makes me great.” (2 Sam. 22:36) Being the youngest boy, David seemed the least likely of Jesse’s sons to be chosen for the kingship over all Israel. His father did not even call him in from pasturing the sheep to introduce him to the prophet Samuel, but presented his seven other sons. Only upon Samuel’s urging did Jesse call David from his shepherding. Thereafter Samuel anointed David “in the midst of his brothers.” (1 Sam. 16:6-13) So it was Jehovah’s humility in taking notice of young David that made that shepherd boy great.

Similarly, Jehovah’s choosing of those to be associate rulers with his Son Jesus Christ has been from among those looked down upon in the world. Calling attention to this, the Christian apostle Paul wrote: “Not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many of noble birth; but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame; and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon.”​—1 Cor. 1:26-28.