CENTRAL THOUGHT
Anointing is an inward consecration for service.
HYMN: ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER.
TEXT: 1 Sam. 16:11-23, 17:15-37
INTRODUCTION:
David was the youngest son (8th) of Jesse, a Bethlehemite. He later became the second King of Israel. The name David means BELOVED. In his immediate family, David was assigned the job of attending to the flock of their father.
He was a shepherd boy. But against human judgement, he was preferred by God above his brethren who were more physically well-built and more militant. His pastoral/shepherd life may have provided him the opportunity of meditation, contemplation and communion with God and endowed him with compassion for the less privileged.
David certainly had his personal weakness and failures, but in the old testament, he left a footprint in relating with God and in relating with humans. He was anointed by prophet Samuel while King Saul was still in power. This anointing first of all brought troubles in full measure. But most importantly, it brought enough grace to overcome all the troubles, and unimaginable empowerment for the fulfillment of a divine destiny.
In this study, we shall take a careful look at the early life of David, his anointing and the lessons we can learn from them.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1.To examine the family background and childhood experiences of David.
2.To discuss the implications of David’s anointing by Prophet Samuel.
3.To discuss the experiences of David between the time he was anointed and the time he actually became King.
4.To list some godly attitudes exhibited by David in the period of trial.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES AND HIGHLIGHT THE FAMILY BACKGROUND AND CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES OF DAVID. 1 Sam. 16:11, 12,18, 21, 17:15, 20, 32-37
David was the last son in a family of eight boys. His father’s name was Jesse, a Bethlehemite of the tribe of Judah. He was the keeper of the family flock, spending night and day out in the field, all alone. He developed in strength, courage, and attractiveness while caring for his father’s sheep (1 Sam. 16:12, 17:34-36).
He developed intimate communion with God, became independent minded and thoughtful, very courageous and daring. No wonder he became a thoughtful poet and a very skilled musician with great inspiration.
Q2. WHAT WERE THE IMPLICATIONS OF DAVID’S ANNOINTING BY PROPHET SAMUEL?
When king Saul disobeyed God, he was rejected and Prophet Samuel was instructed to anoint another leader for Israel. This was where David came in, chosen by God and anointed by prophet Samuel- when there was a sitting King (Saul) and waiting prince (Jonathan). He was anointed into an office that was not vacant! From the day he was anointed the Spirit of God (for good governance and courageous leadership) came on David.
Spiritually, the anointing brought to David the following:-
a.) A divine mandate to advance the cause of God.
b.) A divinely instituted concern for God’s people.
c.) A divine impartation of grace and gifts for Service.
d.) An inward advancement in wisdom and courage needed for leadership.
e.) A divine seal of protection.
All these were the divine blessings communicated with the anointing. Saul was however jealous of David’s achievements and favor.
He passed a death sentence on him, and many indeed were killed for David’s sake (1 Sam. 22:11-18). For a great part of Saul’s last years as king, David and his whole family were on the run, either in exile of in the forests because of the terror of king Saul.
The anointing carried with it great responsibilities and afterwards great rewards.
Q3. LIST SOME EXPERIENCES OF DAVID BETWEEN THE TIME HE WAS ANNOINTED AND THE TIME HE WAS ACTUALLY KING.
From the time of his anointing to the time he got crowned, there were many significant events that David experienced. Many of them apparently contradicted the expectation. Some prominent experiences in this period are:-
a.) He served as a “music maker” in the palace to soothe King Saul’s periodic tension. 1 Sam. 16:23.
b.) He saved Israel from national disgrace by killing the giant Goliath when he was still a boy. 1 Sam. 17:32-33, 50.
c.) He was made a ranking officer in Saul’s army and he served meritoriously. 1 Sam. 18:4, 13-14.
d.) Twice he escaped assassination by Saul in the palace. 1 Sam. 18:10, 1 Sam. 19:9.
e.) He was promised the king’s daughter (Merab) for a wife, due to his loyalty, but was disappointed ( 1 Sam. 18:17-19).
f.) A death sentence was passed on him by King Saul, and soldiers were
sent to execute him. 1 Sam. 19:1, 11.
g.) 85 ranking priests were killed because of David (1 Sam. 22:18-19) while men, women, and children of the town of Nob were annihilated by Saul.
h.) He was forced to take refuge with the Philistines, the arch-enemy of Israel (1 Sam. 21:10).
i.) His extended family also fled to exile (1 Sam. 22:1-4).
j.) Despite the distress he still fought on the side of God’s people. 1 Sam. 23:1-3
k.) Twice he had opportunity for vengeance against Saul, but he refrained from harming the LORD’s anointed. 1 Sam. 24:3-7
Q4. WHAT ARE THE ATTITUDES WE CAN EMULATE FROM DAVID?
There were many traits found in David which eventually contributed to his success in life despite difficult upheavals. So many of them are worthy of emulation. These include:-
a.) His personal relationship with and devotion to God.
b.) His life of service to his family, to king Saul and to the nation of Israel.
c.) His patience based on a strong faith in God. d.) His knowledge of the word of God and regard for them, which made him to refrain from killing Saul.
e.) His loyalty to the king as God’s anointed and his love for God’s people.
f.) His courage and daring nature (1 Sam. 17:32-37).
g.) His leadership qualities that made the people to like him and flock around him
These were the outstanding qualities of the youthful David, that endeared him to God and to God’s people.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
David was a man of humble origin, whom God exalted. In him we see an example of true devotion to God and service to mankind. After his anointing by prophet Samuel, he still waited for God to fulfill what He had planned.
He did not jump into kingship as some of us would have done today. He did not take advantage of situations if he felt it contradicted God’s word.
Today God is looking for courageous, humble and yielded people like David in the present generation that will fulfill His will and purpose. Are you ready to yield yourself to Him?
MEMORY VERSE
Acts 13:22
“…. I have found David Son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; which shall fulfil all my will”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: David son of Jesse.
1 Sam. 16:1
Tuesday: David servant of Saul.
1 Sam. 16:21-23
Wednesday: Man of courage and faith.
1 Sam. 17:32-33, 45-46
Thursday: A man after God’s heart.
Acts 13:22, 1 Sam. 13:14
Friday: Peace in troubled waters.
Ps. 23:5
Saturday: The Blessed Man.
Ps. 1:1-3