Talk Tuesday-Lessons From the Shepherd King: A Journey With King David, Pt. I

The story of King David is fascinating. We are first introduced to him in 1 Samuel 16:1, “The Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.'” Saul was being replaced by David because of his disobedience. When the prophet Samuel arrived in Bethlehem, he told the elders that he came to sacrifice to the Lord and invited Jesse and his sons to join him. He consecrated them all, ready to anoint the new king of Israel. The first son he saw was Eliab. “When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, 'Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord,'” 1 Samuel 16:6.

It is here that I pause and wonder what kind of man did Eliab seem like? He must have been tall, with a stately demeanour. Perhaps he was handsome and strong. Yet the LORD, who knows the heart and thoughts of man, said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:7. Seven of Jesse's sons were paraded before him but Samuel replied, “'The Lord has not chosen these.' 11 So he asked Jesse, 'Are these all the sons you have?' 'There is still the youngest,' Jesse answered. 'He is tending the sheep.' Samuel said, 'Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives,” 1 Samuel 16:10-11. When the shepherd son arrives, the Bible says, “He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.Then the Lord said, 'Rise and anoint him; this is the one.'13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David,” 1 Samuel 16:12-13.

As we begin our journey with King David, we will discover the heart of a true worshiper. At least half of the Psalms in the Bible are written by him. What did GOD see in the heart of David that He chose him to be King? In both the Old and New Testaments he is referred to as a man after GOD's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). When do you think his relationship with GOD started? Click on the comments link below to share your thoughts. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey with Israel's shepherd king. One thing I learned from this passage is that GOD is not impressed with how we look or present ourselves to others; He is impressed by what He sees inside our hearts. What a sobering thought!