David was the youngest son of Jesse. He had 7 older brothers, and the eldest Eliab must have been a strong good-looking man, because in I Samuel 16:6, Samuel was convinced by Eliab’s looks that this was the one! I’m sure he was thinking, this was not so hard. The first one I see fits the description of a king. However, in verse 7, God says no. He instructs Samuel not to decide based on the outward appearance of man because God is looking at the heart. As each son marched before Samuel his heart sank because each time God said no. Jesse must have thought Samuel was confused after he refused each one because Jesse instructed them to walk before Samuel one more time for inspection. Finally, Samuel asks the question is this all of your children? Jesse responds that the youngest is out tending sheep.
I Samuel 16:6-7 “And it came to pass when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
I Samuel 16:10-11 “Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he keeps the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.”
Jesse sent for David to walk before Samuel just as the other sons had done. I can only imagine how this young man felt. He was the youngest of 8 brothers, and he had been given a job that kept him away from the family. He was tending sheep while his brothers were eating a feast with God’s anointed. Now, life was about to change. He was the one that God had chosen to be the next king of Israel. Samuel anointed him, but scholars say it was around 15 years later when David became king.
I Samuel 16:12-13 “And he sent, and brought him 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. So, Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”
Let’s look at the events of David’s young life and how God was preparing him to be the King of His chosen people. While in the wilderness tending sheep, he was learning how to be a servant. The greatest leaders are those who have first learned to serve. To be like Jesus we must learn to serve with a humble spirit. While protecting his sheep he killed a lion and a bear. David was diligent in the responsibilities God had given him as a shepherd. He was to protect the sheep and he put his life on the line to do so. Being a faithful servant also gave him the confidence in God that he needed when he was faced with defending Israel by killing Goliath. Notice, in I Samuel 17:34, David refers to himself as a servant. He believed being a servant, a faithful servant was vital to his relationship with his God. He saw his job as a shepherd as important. Why? Because God put him there. Any job God gives us is just as important as anyone else’s position and should be done with great care and diligence. Colossians 3:23 tells us, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” It was this determination to follow God and do it with his whole heart that gave David the confidence to trust God when facing Goliath.
I Samuel 17:34-37” And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”
David was also a skilled musician. After being anointed as the next king, David continued his job as a shepherd. He was waiting and being faithful to do his job until God’s timing brought him to his anointed position. Even though he had a future as the king of Israel there was much training and learning to be done to prepare him to be what God intended for him to be. We see in chapter 16 of I Samuel Saul becoming very disturbed and seeking someone who could play a stringed instrument, presumed to be a harp of sorts, to calm him down. One of Saul’s servants had heard about the talent of David, and they sent for him.
I Samuel 16:18 “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.”
As a young man, David was learning all he could. He was serving wherever needed. He was growing in his confidence in God. He was doing what we should do to grow in wisdom, skill, and knowledge. He was being an obedient servant.
