A Man After God's Own Heart (Part 2)

So David is anointed to be king of Israel by the Lord at the hands of Samuel the prophet...
 
This happens in front of all of his older brothers, so I could conceive there might have been some interesting dynamics between them... of course I'd have to go extra-biblical to say that there were, but at some point some anger shows through with at least one of his brothers (more on that later).

What is interesting to me is that David does not get "puffed up" at all.  In fact, he simply goes back to what he was doing before all of the excitement. He seems to be content to take care of his father's flocks. He does not try to make something happen.  He could have become boastful and proud – after all, he was anointed king by none other than Samuel himself!  But pride does not show itself strong in David.


But something has changed. Deep in David's heart, a seed of greatness was planted that would never be diminished; a seed sown by God Himself.

David continues on as if nothing had changed, but I can imagine that his relationship with the Lord deepened and grew. He became even more skillful on the harp, and God began to breathe songs in him... songs that he later wrote down and taught others to play. Some of those same songs we still sing today.

At some point, the Spirit of the Lord departs from King Saul, and he becomes troubled by an evil spirit. His people suggest that he allow them to seek out a skillful harp player, and let him play when the king is troubled, and he would "be well."

Then one of his servants tells him about the son of Jesse who is, “…skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.” 1 Samuel 16:18. How did this man know all this about a shepherd boy? 

Perhaps David’s reputation had grown.  Perhaps the rumor mill from Bethlehem had gotten around that people should watch this young man that Samuel visited; there was just something about him.

David had grown in the Lord, he had become skillful in playing, and brave.  He is called a “man of war” although he had never been in a battle (that is, with the exception of a lion and a bear!)  David was disciplined and healthy.  He was wise in his speech – he would have had to be wise with his words, especially with, I repeat myself, seven older brothers!  He was good looking and most of all – the Lord was with him.

So the king sends for David, who comes with gifts from his father, Jesse, for the king.  The bible says that Saul loved David greatly and David became his armor bearer.  An armor bearer was a trusted position and that position was for someone who would be right with the king in battle or whatever he was doing. David also  

Saul then sends a message to Jesse to ask for him to allow David to stand before him, for he “has found favor in my sight.” 1 Samuel 16: 22

“And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23

I’m curious to know if David ever wondered how God was going to make him king.  Did that question cross his mind when he was called up minister to King Saul? Perhaps something would happen, and the king would step down and let David sit on the throne?  Not likely...

Who knows what he was thinking, but the next chapter in his life changed everything again!

Stay tuned...