Series: David - A Man After God¡¦s Own Heart:
Part 3: Something¡¦s Rotten In Jesse¡¦s Family (2)
1 SAMUEL 16:1 1 And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. 4 And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. 7 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 seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these. 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. 12 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. 13 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. 14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. 15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. 16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. 17 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 armor bearer. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favor 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.
INTRO 1: A Man After God¡¦s Own Heart: Pt. 3 Something¡¦s Rotten In Jesse¡¦s Family (2)
Topics Covered: Give Us A King: The People¡¦s Choice V/S The Almighty¡¦s Choice, God Can Make A Nobody Into A Somebody, Something¡¦s Rotten In Jesse¡¦s Family (Pt. 1), Something¡¦s Rotten In Jesse¡¦s House (Pt. 2), etc.
INTRO 2: WHAT DRAWS ME TO DAVID?
What Draws Me To David Is He Didn¡¦t Start Great, isn¡¦t a polished personality but mere human who shares my struggles of spirit, soul, body. A man of glorious triumphs but also a man of great tragedies. He wrestles with success, rejection, discouragement, sexual temptation, parenting, betrayal, etc. Like Joseph and Moses, he is also likened to Jesus but as King. Both Are Described As Coming Kings, Crucified Kings, Crowned Kings, Conquering Kings.
UNRULY CHILDREN ARE NOTHING NEW
How Old Was David When Anointed: Estimate is 13-15 (get kids this age). Hard to find focused kids at this age. Rotten & Troublesome Kids Are Nothing New. Regarding children, we often say our days were better. Well, Bible days go beyond our days & children were always a menace to their parents. Cain & Abel. Ishmael & Isaac. Esau & Jacob. Joseph & brethren. Elisha & Wayward Kids. Sons of David. Son of Solomon. The Prodigal Son. Mothers brought their children to Jesus to bless them. Why? Bible verses dealing with wayward kids: Pro. 22:15 ¡§Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.¡¨ Pro. 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. Pro. 19:18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.
REVIEW FROM LAST WEEKS: PREREQUISITES FOR KING SAUL - THE PEOPLE¡¦S CHOICE.
1. Saul Was Chosen On The Basis Of His Looks - Physical Stature. Not David.
2. Saul Was Chosen On The Basis Of His Charisma. David¡¦s Brothers Had ¡V Not David.
3. Saul Chosen On The Basis Of His Right Youthfulness - David Was A Kid.
4. Saul Chosen On The Basis Of Popular Opinion - Not David The Forgotten One.
SAUL DISQUALIFIED ¡V 3 ACTS OF DISOBEDIENCE (3 STRIKES THAT OUTED HIM)
1. Presumptuously Offered Sacrifice ¡V Philistines At Gilgal (I Samuel 13:5-14).
2. Made An Egoistical Vow At Gibeah Not To Eat During Battle (I Samuel 14:24-46)
3. Refused To Destroy The Amalekites, King, Cattle (I Samuel 15:17-11)
SAMUEL CAME TO DELIVER GOD¡¦S VERDICT TO SAUL (1 SAM. 15:12-23).
Saul Fulfilled All Bad Things God Said A King Would Fulfill (I Sam. 8). So Samuel mourned. God rebuked Samuel (1 Sam. 16). That day was ordinary but things would never be the same again. Samuel fears anointing a rival king (I Sam. 16:2-3). God has a simple plan (1 Sam. 16). The Country Is In Trouble And That Is Felt When A Prophet came to town ¡V the people are afraid. There is a parade of candidates. God chooses none. 1 Sam. 16:6-10 tells us the principle of God¡¦s choice - God does not see as men who see the face. God sees the heart.
IN THE BIBLE, GOD SELECTS PEOPLE WE WOULD DISQUALIFY.
Moses Stuttered. Jacob Deceiver. Abraham old. Naomi widow. Jonah ran from God. Miriam gossiper. Thomas doubted. Paul unattractive. Martha worry rat. Peter rash. Rahab prostitute. Moses murderer, speech impediment. Mary poor girl. Israel, land of rocks. 3 closest to Jesus (Peter, James, John) fishermen. 3 wrote Bible were murderers: Moses, David, Paul. Not the kind of people we would have expected God to pick for His purposes - He did. So God gets the glory (1 Cor 1). Such were us.
THREE MAJOR ANOINTINGS OF DAVID
1. First Anointing In Bethlehem And David Was Persecuted By Saul (1 Samuel 16). One does not have to literally abdicate the throne in order to be demoted.
2. Second Anointing In Hebron Over The House Of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). David was notified that king Saul was buried. Here is an anointing of {Judah} praise when we acknowledge that Saul {the flesh} has been put to death.
3. Third Anointing Is As King Over All Of Israel (2 Samuel 5:17). His greatest anointing. Risen from childhood, processed in youth to ascend the throne. In this anointing, there is no divided kingdom. Israel became exalted before the Lord, and the Philistines knew that David was anointed as king over Israel. Even in David's 3rd anointing, the Philistines still carried out attacks amidst defeat - new level of anointing will bring new level of confrontation.
WHAT DOES GOD LOOK FOR IN A PERSON? WHAT JESSE DID NOT SEE THAT GOD SAW.
God Knew What Samuel Or Others Did Not See. Moses thought the same about Aaron. How old was David when God chose him? 13-15 Years old. Any youth can make a difference.
1. David Possessed The Heart Of A Servant. Psalm 89:20 "I have found my servant David; I appointed him by pouring holy oil on him." Servanthood is humility in practice. To be a servant means to perform menial tasks; to not care who gets the credit. You have one goal: the success of your superior. Mk 9:35 "Anyone wanting to be greatest must be the least - servant of all!"
2. David Possessed A Heart Of Integrity. Psalm 78:70 "He chose David his servant, from tending the sheep¡K he brought him to be the shepherd of his people. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart." Integrity is what you are when no one is looking. Proverbs 18:16 A man¡¦s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. Your gift may bring you before great men, but it is character that enables you to stay there. Joseph¡¦s gift brought him before pharaoh, but his character made him prime minister. Greatness is not a one-time event: David killed the giant and we think that was when he became great. No. Greatness is doing every little thing in a great way. True greatness is specifically seen in the little things we do in a great way. A crown doesn¡¦t make a man a king, it only identifies the king in the man.
3. David Possessed The Heart Of A Shepherd: You drive cattle but you must lead sheep. They follow example. The shepherd must know his sheep individually, love them and take care of their needs accordingly. Sheep are defenseless, don¡¦t see well so they depend on the shepherd to lead and guide them. David was exactly the leader Israel needed to right the wrongs Saul had brought to Israel. In 1 Sam. 16, there was fear in the nation ¡V David had to calm them.
4. God Chose David Because He Was Ready (Already Redeemed). When Jesse and David¡¦s brothers are brought in before Samuel, they are ¡§sanctified¡¨ (v. 5) - their sins are dealt with and made ready for worship. When David is brought, there is no sanctification - he is already ready. He had seen the power of God written in the heavens (Psalm 19). He had witnessed God¡¦s tender care for His people in his own relationship to his flocks (Psalm 23). He walked onto the public stage in 1 Sam. 16, but David had been walking with God for some time (1 Sam. 17). He had honored God openly, now God was rewarding Him openly.
5. God Chose David Because He Was Reliable. When God calls David, we find him faithfully doing what he has been told to do - keeping sheep. He is doing a dirty, lonely job; but he does it because that¡¦s his assignment. After he is anointed, he goes back to his flock. Why? Because that is what he does! Even after he is called to Jerusalem to play for King Saul (v. 23), he returns to keep his father¡¦s sheep (17:5). Why? Because David is faithful. God calls people who are busy & faithful, not those avoiding responsibilities.
6. David Respected God¡¦s Covenant Of Genuine Faith: Young David¡¦s words to Saul as he prepares to face Goliath: ¡¥Your servant used to keep his father¡¦s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came out and took a lamb out the flock, I went out after it¡K And when it rose against me, I caught it by its beard and struck and killed it.¡¦ ¡¥The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.¡¦ 1 Samuel 17: For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? Have that faith to meet Satan on his own ground.
7. David Had A Truly Grateful Heart: Psalm 116:12 What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits¡K David was grateful to God for all He did in His life. He never let it go to his head.
8. David Quick To Confess & Repent When Confronted: This Is Spirituality: David knew what kind of person could walk with God - a person who walked uprightly and spoke the truth in his heart. He would never repeat such sin again in his life. 1 Samuel 13:14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord¡¦s command.¡¨ When God says go, he goes. When God says stop, you stop. You are sensitive to God. 2 Chron. 16:9 The Lord is looking for people whose hearts are his. They acknowledge wrong, correct it and move on.
9. David Had A Transparent Life: Psalm 26:2 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. David even prayed that God would examine his life.
10. David Was Also Cunning In Playing: He had a talent or an ability to play this instrument and he developed it. Develop your talents. Everyone has been given certain talents and abilities that others don¡¦t have. Practice and use it for the glory of God!
11. David Was Courageous. We are afraid to fail so we don¡¦t try. God is looking for those who will fear not what men can do to them. Only fear God and be of good courage.
12. David Was A Comely Person (Not Painful To Look At): David was fine looking and took good care of himself. Now everyone has been blessed with good looks, but everyone can take pride in his or her appearance. Don¡¦t be a slob. Keep the little you have clean.
13. David Was Anointed With The Holy Ghost ¡V God Was With Him. How did Saul¡¦s servants know that God was with David? Can people tell the Lord is with you? David was youngest of 8 = the # of new beginnings. God wants to do something fresh. There are some lions and bears that need to be slain in this hour, and You are God¡¦s choice for the job.
SO THERE¡¦S A SCHOOL OF PREPARATION THRU WHICH GOD WANTS US TO WALK.
1. Joseph Was Born To The Large & Wealthy Family Of Jacob, a privileged and preferred son, only to be sold into slavery, forgotten before finally ascending to greatness in Egypt.
2. Moses Was Reared In The Home Of Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world at the time. He was trained in the finest schools, had access to the wealth and power of the world, but spent 40 years raising sheep in the desert before leading God¡¦s people to freedom.
3. Saul Studied At The Feet Of Gamaliel, was trained as a Pharisee, a keeper of the law in every point, born to Roman citizenship and was ascending to power when Jesus blinded him. From then on, he counted all of his past privileges loss for the excellency of knowing Christ.
4. David Was Anointed Early By Samuel, spent his teen years leading great military campaigns and living in the palace with his best friend, Jonathan. He even married King Saul¡¦s daughter and became a part of the royal family. Then, he lost it all and hid in a cave for his life.
DAVID SUFFERED 5 SIGNIFICANT LOSSES FROM 1 SAMUEL 19 THROUGH 22.
God Prepares The Heart For Greatness in mysterious ways ¡V the process involves pain, loss, and suffering. This is the tough side of spiritual growth - God¡¦s way of getting us ready.
1. Lost Saul As A Potential Mentor And The Palace As A Home.
2. Lost Jonathan ¡V On the run, they meet once, Never Meet Again until Jonathan¡¦s death.
3. Lost Michal ¡V Her Affection And Devotion.
4. Lost Samuel, Never Getting To See Him Again Either.
5. Lost His Own Dignity And Acted Insane In Gath.
SOMETHING SMELLS IN JESSE¡¦S HOUSE
Character Is Built In Private Before Becoming Public. Be careful what you do in private. What we do in the open is what we have practiced in private. God prepares us in private. The devil prepares us in private. Illustration: Choir rehearsal. Classrooms. A child becomes a thief at home before going public. So, we see Jesse¡¦s home with issues and smells with favoritism, bitterness, hatred, dislike, things from the past, jealousy, trampled gifts, name callings, etc. The Sons Of Jesse By Order Of Birth: 8 Brothers: Eliab, Abinadab, Shimea (Shammah), Nethanel (Nathaniel), Raddai, Ozem, one name is missing and David (1 Samuel 16, 1 Chronicles 2:13-15). 2 Sisters: Zeruiah and Abigail (1 Chronicles 2:16-17). Illustration: Jesse overlooked the gold ring in the dirt.
INHERENT PROBLEMS IN JESSE¡¦S HOME ¡V LATENT BUT MANIFESTED.
1. David Is Never Called To The Consecration. Samuel told Jesse to bring his family together, but he left David out.
2. David Is Forgotten. It is the spirit of God that tells Samuel that there is still one more and we will not rest until he comes.
3. No Excitement For David¡¦s Selection As King. When David is anointed king, what is the behavior of the family? No celebrations, gratitude. Not from the father or brethren. They turn their backs and go home. David turns and goes to the sheep.
4. The Father Has A Problem (1 Samuel 17). While the 3 brothers are out to battle, the father sends young David in such dangerous territory to see how they are doing. Where are the other 4 brothers who were older than David? Or why can¡¦t he send the servants?
5. The Brothers Have A Problem. The hatred of David is revealed when he takes food to them and begins to inquire about Goliath. See how Eliab his brother talks to him ¡V rude, belittling and accusing. And this is the one Samuel wanted to anoint king. Same thing with Moses & Aaron.
6. Why Is The Father Sending Provisions To The Captains Of His Sons¡¦ Ranks? Some say to bribe them to be easy on his sons. (Read 1 Samuel 17:14-20).
7. Those Who Noticed That David Had Some Qualities Were Outsiders And Not Family Members? A servant from the King¡¦s court saw that there was a son of Jesse with some distinction (1 Samuel 16:18) ¡V Not the people in his home.
8. Some Parents Often Do Not Cultivate That Sense Of Mutual Self Respect Among Children Especially Those With Many. Value each child irrespective of their position in the family or their form. His brothers did not respect him. Yet this is the one that God will use to save that family from paying taxes in Israel. Be careful who you despise in your family.
9. His Mother Might Have Been Unique. If this reference is to her, then she was dead by the time he is introduced to her. See Psalm 116 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. 16 Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains. She might have been a woman of God.
10. David Is The Eighth Son: Seven is completion, eight will mark a new beginning for Israel.
CONCLUSION (3 APPLICATIONS)
1. What Do We See About God In This Chapter?
God Rejects The Self-Serving. God Exalts The God-Serving. God Looks Beyond The Outward Appearance & Sees The Heart. God Looks At The Heart & Notices The Nobodies Who Are Really Somebodies After All.
2. So We Leave Young David Where We Met Him:
Tending the sheep. Nothing has changed, yet everything has changed. Now when he looks at his reflection in a pool of water, he does not see a ¡§nobody¡¨ shepherd boy, he sees the person God created him to be. He sees a king. Read Psalms 23 with a new look. Indeed God is our shepherd.
3. Three Applications Even For Us:
ƒæ God¡¦s Solutions Are Strange And Simple - Be Open.
ƒæ God¡¦s Provisions Are Usually Sudden And Surprising - Be Ready.
ƒæ God¡¦s Selections Are Always Sovereign And Sure - Be Calm.
CLOSING PRAYER: HOW MANY WANT TO SERVE? Not you but God will do it thru you.
Is 46:9 ¡§Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ¡¥My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.¡¦ 11 From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill My purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.¡¨ Not about you, but God. He¡¦ll do it thru you.
