THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID
The Significance of Insignificance
1 Samuel 16:1-13
#kingdavid
INTRODUCTION 1 … goodreads.com/quotes/tag/identity?page=2
Brennan Manning (1934-2013) was an American theologian and author and in his book ‘Abba’s Child’ (1994) says: “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.”
INTRODUCTION 2…merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/8-words-of-belittlement-insignificant
Today we will be talking about identity and significance and insignificance. The English language has some fun words for us to learn when it comes to talking about ‘insignificance.’ So here we have the top 8 words we have available to us to talk about insignificance!
* Nugatory: ‘of little or no consequence.’ For example: ‘I will not concern myself with the nugatory matters of which is better… Purdue or IU.”
* Pettifogger: ‘someone who quibbles over insignificant things.’ For example: “You are such a pettifogger for arguing about the kind of toilet paper we buy.” May I suggest saying that one slowly and annunciating because if you hurry you may end up saying something else.
* Fiddling: ‘To do something of no consequence.’ For example: “I’m just fiddling around in the garage.”
* Trivial: A word from the Latin ‘trivialis’ which means ‘commonplace’ and means ‘of little worth or consequence.’ For example: “My wounds from wrestling with the lion are trivial.”
* Ablach: [with accent] This is a Scottish word that comes from the Gaelic word for ‘mangled carcass’ and means ‘an insignificant person.’ For example: “You are an ablach, get out of my way!”
* Small-Fry: ‘minor or unimportant and unworthy of attention.’ It originally meant ‘a newly hatched fish’ and then came to mean ‘a young child.’ For example: “The hungry man pushed the small fry out of the way so he could order his food from the counter.”
* Chopped liver: ‘someone or something that is not worth considering.’ I think this is one of my mom’s favorite phrases: “What am I, chopped liver?”
* Dandiprat: [with accent] This is a British word that comes from a small coin that is ‘no longer in use’ and means ‘an insignificant person.’ For example: ‘Everyone but the Queen is a dandiprat.’
TRANSITION
I mention all of those words because I plan on trying to work them into my sermon as much as possible today as we talk about ‘insignificance’ as it relates to ‘identity’ and I want you to know what I am talking about. We begin by talking about the significance of identity.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IDENTITY
What is identity? ‘Identity’ is a group of attributes, qualities, and values that define how we view ourselves and, in many ways, how we think other people see us. It is the picture of us. It is the picture we think other people see. Identity is ‘the core of who we are.’ Identity is not a nugatory thing. Our identity is the core sense of who we are and I hope you will agree with me that the ‘core sense of who we are’ is very significant.
How is our identity formed? ‘Identity’ can be formed from the labels we place upon ourselves, the roles we undertake, and even the activities we like. I happen to think identity also comes from the color of our skin, our language, our gender, religion, moral decisions we make, and so much more. All of those things are added to the mixer and out comes our identity and our core sense of self.
The problem with identity is that so many different things: people, events, societal pressures, and even entertainment can impact who we think we are. A change in the workplace or the loss of a job or profession can make us think significantly different about ourselves… not just a little bit, but deeply. Growing up and entering a new stage in life can change how we think people see us. We read a book and it changes us on the inside. We go through a world-wide pandemic and life is flipped on its head for a while and we aren’t sure how to relate to ourselves or others anymore.
A loss of identity is not a trivial matter because that gap inside us can lead to increased levels of generalized anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, a loss of self-confidence, social anxiety, isolation, and chronic loneliness. We can end up with a sense of feeling lost. Identity is significant.
In the Bible, this sense of self, this core of who we are, this identity that shapes us is often called ‘the heart.’ The Bible talks often about our hearts and how our hearts shape our attitudes, actions, and words. Our heart matters and is significant. Our identity matters and is significant.
For example:
READ Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
King Solomon says to us to guard our heart… our identity… because from it flows the rest of our lives.
READ Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV)
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
God promises to the people of Israel through the prophet Ezekiel that their identity matters to Him. He promises to change them from an identity fashioned by the world and sin to an identity fashioned by Him.
I also could not help but think of 1 Peter 2:9 because in that passage the Apostle Peter is reminding his readers of their identity. He is reminding them of the picture of who they are in Christ and they aren’t chopped liver.
READ 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
TRANSITION
Our identity is a significant part of who we are. It’s complicated. Being so complicated, I happen to think that sometimes our identity is fragile or up-for-grabs when it should not be. The loss of identity or the thought that we are some kind of dandiprat or small fry impacts our lives in many areas. Feeling insignificant is not nice or fun, but it is something we all deal with.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INSIGNIFICANCE
There are almost 8 billion people on our planet (2022 count). Not all of those 8 billion people are famous actresses or professional athletes or a welding wizard or a millionaire or a published author or go viral with a video or make some lasting impact on our world. Not all of those 8 billion people have a famous name or will invent a lifesaving gadget or will revolutionize modern medicine. In our society, we have the pressure to be known and to be seen and to be affirmed. That is why social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are so popular. Those social media platforms feed our need for significance. And yet, we are insignificant when compared with a world stage of 8 billion people.
ILLUSTRATION… divethru.com/feeling-insignificant-a-guide-to-your-emotions/ [adapted]
Ouch! Thanks a lot preacher! The truth is, all of us at one time or another feel insignificant. We feel a little lost. We wonder about our purpose or where our life is headed. We feel like somehow who we are doesn’t quite fit.
I think we all have this feeling now and again and none of us talk about it. We keep this feeling or this identity crisis to ourselves because we don’t want to sound weird or like we are a pettifogger, but sooner or later it comes out. This feeling of insignificance is important because it impacts us in many ways.
Feeling insignificant and having a loss of identity can mess with your head. Low self-esteem, Fear of failure, Feelings of guilt or worthlessness, Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy, and Lack of motivation are all part of this.
Feeling insignificant is not just something we deal with mentally or emotionally or spiritually, but we deal with it physically as well. Heavy, dull pain in the body, Panic attacks, Difficulty sleeping, Becoming lethargic, and Restlessness are all part of this complicated issue of insignificance.
There are passages that describe this feeling of insignificance, but none better than in the Book of Job in the Old Testament. Job 3 opens up with Job feeling absolutely insignificant and hates himself and his life and he curses the day he was born. We see feelings of worthlessness and depression in each word. We need not forget that Job feels so insignificant that he is literally sitting on an ash heap day after day wallowing in sorrow.
READ JOB 3:1-4 (ESV)
After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 And Job said: 3 “Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night that said, ‘A man is conceived.’ 4 Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it.
A little later in that same chapter he adds:
READ JOB 3:11 (ESV)
Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?
Wow. I hope you can see from these verses that feeling insignificant in the core of your being is a tragedy. It is hurtful. It is damaging. The Book of Job is 42 chapters of a Godly man dealing with a tragedy in his life that made him feel absolutely insignificant.
TRANSITION
I mention identity and insignificance because in the passage that is to be our focus today these two ideas are extremely important. We are beginning a sermon series on the life of David in the Bible. We are going to look at David because we get to see his life with its ups and downs unlike anyone else in all of Scripture. His life is very relatable and teaches us much about life, spiritual truths, relationships, and so much more. You can find his story in 1 & 2 Samuel in the Old Testament in the Bible. David’s story technically begins in the Book of Ruth, but his story really begins in 1 Samuel 16 with a passage that centers on identity and insignificance.
Let’s read from 1 Samuel 16:
READ 1 SAMUEL 16:1-13 (ESV)
The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for Myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for Me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD's anointed is before Him.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
THE INSIGNIFICANT DAVID
This passage introduces us to David. David comes into the story of Samuel midway through Samuel’s life. In verse 1, God is speaking to the last judge of Israel who also in God’s providence is a priest and a prophet and God instructs Samuel to go and find the next king of Israel. Samuel is the anointer of kings. Samuel is the one who points out for the people who God has chosen as their king.
In the time of 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel has ordained the first king, Saul, and he was a complete disappointment. Saul was disobedient to God. Saul was unhinged in many ways. Saul did not fare well as a king and God told him that the kingdom of Israel would be taken away from him and given to someone else. 1 Samuel 16 is the portion of Scripture where the next king is pointed out (the someone else) and the beginning of the end happens for King Saul.
The next king of Israel is not someone who was heads taller than anyone else. He was not a body builder. He was not a mighty warrior with many campaigns and victories under his belt. He was not of royal blood. He was not distinguished or important or significant in any way. He was an ablach and his life was trivial.
The scene is a bit like a reality show. The prophet Samuel shows up and everyone is afraid. They don’t know what his agenda is… he says it is to worship. He sets up the sacrifice and asks all of Jesse of Bethehem’s family to join him. They all do but one. God tells Samuel that the next king is in Jesse’s family. The firstborn of Jesse arrives, Eliab, and he is awesome, but God says ‘no.’ God tells Samuel ‘no’ to every single son of Jesse he sees. Samuel is completely confused. He’s met all the sons of Jesse and God said ‘no’ to each one.
Not all. He has not yet met all the sons. In verse 11, Jesse tells Samuel that ‘the youngest’ is in the fields with the sheep. The English words here are not offensive in any way. And yet, the Hebrew word (haqqaton) to which this description of David is based on is not very nice. The word literally means he is the ‘insignificant runt.’ The very first description we ever get of David is his own father calling him an insignificant runt that is not worth calling in from the fields. He is so insignificant, if you notice, his name isn’t even mentioned until verse 13.
Not only is he the ‘insignificant runt,’ but he is doing the least appreciated job on the farm. He is out tending sheep which is looked down on as a dirty job that even the simplest of people can do. Basically, in their culture, any dumb person can watch the dumb sheep.
Are you catching yet, how David was seen by his family?
The best part about this entire passage is that yes! we see how David is treated by his father and his brothers, but in the end that does not define him. This is so important. Don’t miss this. The label of ‘runt’ does not define David. The sentiment of ‘insignificant shepherd’ is not the core of David’s identity.
1 Samuel 16:7 says very very clearly: “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
What does that mean?
What does that say?
That verse says that it is not a label or an experience or a job or a sin or a stage of life or another person that defines David’s core significance and identity. It is not. God Almighty defines identity. God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, claims the divine right to tell us who we are and to define our heart. The core truth of David’s existence was that God defines his identity and God deemed him significant.
It was a lie from the pit of Hell for David to believe that he was nothing. It was a lie for David to think to himself that he was an insignificant runt. We might think to ourselves, well obviously David wasn’t a nobody because the prophet Samuel arrived on the scene and anointed him as the next king of Israel. We might think to ourselves, well obviously David wasn’t a nobody since today the symbol of the Jewish people is literally ‘the star of David.’ I would say that if that is what you believe, you have missed the point of the passage.
It is so very important for us to see in David, as his whole life story begins to unfold for us, that God defined David’s core. God defined David as his beloved. God is where David will find strength and meaning and grace and power and forgiveness and the core of who he is as a person. David drew his identity from his relationship from God. How do we know that? We know that because we have his life in detail with ups and downs and we will dig into it in coming weeks! We also know because the New Testament confirms this for us in the Book of Acts. The Apostle Paul is in Antioch giving a little history lesson that eventually points to Jesus Christ and he says:
READ ACTS 13:22 (ESV)
And when He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, of whom He testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after My heart, who will do all My will.
God defines who we are in the core of our being.
TRANSITION… Quote from Henri JM Nouwen, from You are the Beloved
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian and he said:
“Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection. When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, "Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody." ... [My dark side says,] I am no good... I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the "Beloved." Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.”
APPLICATION: THE SIGNIFICANT TRUTH ABOUT IDENTITY
What does this mean for us? What does this mean for you and me?
One of the things I have noticed about the life of David is that even though he lived so many generations ago and in another part of the world and his life is so different than most of ours… he is completely relatable. We see ourselves in his life. We see our life matching his. As his life story begins to unfold for us in 1 Samuel 16, he is a nobody. But not really.
He is not a nobody because God defines his identity. God is the only One Who has the authority to define us. It is exactly the same for you and me. When you and I draw our identity and our core and our purpose and our sense of self from God, then so many of the issues of insignificance and emotional issues that plague folks in our culture go away. They literally go away because God defines who we are. God’s definition of our core identity is all that matters. We must accept who we are in the core of our being as defined by God.
1 Samuel 16:7 is a gift for us. That verse says that it is not a label or an experience or a job or a sin or a skin color or a sexual orientation or how you vote or how much money you have that defines your core significance. Those things can define you. If they do, you will feel insignificant. You will feel like a small fry dandiprat fiddling away at your trivial life with pettifoggery and all you eat is chopped liver.
1 Samuel 16:7 and our introduction to David is a gift. God Almighty defines identity. God the Father, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, has crafted each person to reflect Him and gain significance and purpose in Him. Every single person. The core truth of David’s existence was that God defines his identity and God deems him significant. It is the same for you and me.
Keeping the New Testament in mind, we find that accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and abiding in Him anchors our identity to God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit and we know who we are only when we are in Christ.
READ GALATIANS 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
CHALLENGE
I leave you with a significant challenge: ‘draw your identity from God’
PRAYER
INVITATION
