As a young man, David was humble.
A trait the ancient world despised, humility.
They opted for assertiveness, pride, power!
The day Samuel came to Jesse’s house to ordain Israel’s next king … our little hero was nowhere to be found. All seven of Jesse’s older boys were examined for the royal position … and vetoed.
Here’s how it happened. 1 Samuel 16:11 … “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.”
Notice where David was … watching the family’s flock, their sheep!
But, as God’s Will dictated, David was the one! The next King of Israel!
The next verse adds … 1 Samuel 16:12-13 … “And he (Jesse) sent, and brought him (David) in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.”
David the shepherd boy is now to be king.
About the same time David was anointed, King Saul needed a musician!
The Story as recorded by the inspired historian … “And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. 18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. 19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. 20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. 21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. 23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” 1 Samuel 16:17-23
David, not only a king-to-be, but now a beloved musician in the royal court of Israel!
Did you notice where King-Elect David was when Saul summoned him? Verse 19 above says he was back “with the sheep!”
No matter what “higher” job he worked … David always went back to his duties assigned him by his father.
Even before fighting the giant Goliath, David had spent the days prior to that epic battle … (you know where) … with the sheep!
1 Samuel 17:14-15 … “And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul (in the army). But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.”
Seems like Jesus said something about being “faithful in the little things.”
“Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Luke 19:17
David has sure left us a sterling example of such faithfulness!
My we follow in his steps.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Even Paul agrees … “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2
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