David as a Youth
The LORD does not choose workers because they are beautiful, smart, or even rich. The most important lesson we can learn from David as a Youth is that when the LORD choices a person to be in His service He does so by looking within the heart. 1 Samuel 16:1-23
Samuel was a prophet of the LORD who was used to speak to all Israel. Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. The elders of Israel went to Samuel and told him to go to the LORD and tell Him to give them a king to judge over them. (1 Samuel 8:6-22).
Saul became the first king of Israel. It was on that day the LORD called together of Israel and told them because they had rejected Him and wanted a king to rule them and that king is Saul from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe of Israel.
The tribes of Israel were warned if they would fear the LORD, and serve Him, and obey His voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both them and also the king that reigns over them shall continue following the LORD your God: (1 Samuel 12:12-16)
But if they will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against them, as it was against your fathers. If they shall still do wickedly, they shall be consumed, both them and their king. (1 Samuel 12: 25).
Saul rejected the word of the LORD and sinned against the LORD. The LORD rejected Saul and tore the kingdom of Israel from him. The LORD mourned that He had made Saul king over Israel.
And the LORD sent Samuel to fill his horn with oil, and go to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for the LORD had provided a king among his sons. Samuel went to Jesse as the LORD instructed him to do. Samuel went to Bethlehem.
Jesse had eight sons and one by one the LORD looked upon then but He did not anoint him to be the next king. The LORD was not looking at age, or outward looks but He looks on the inside of the man. All seven of Jesse’s older sons pass by but the LORD did not choose them.
Jesse was told to fetch his youngest son, David who was out keeping the sheep. David was red and of a beautiful mentally and spiritually, and looked goodly and kind. The LORD said for David to be anointed for he was the one. David was anointed in the middle of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.
The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled Saul. Because Saul was troubled his servants sought out a man who could play the harp. When the evil spirit from God is upon Saul, that he shall play the harp and then Saul should be well.
One of the servants knew that a son of Jesse was skillful in playing the harp, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. Saul sent for David who was with the sheep. David came to Saul, and stood before him. Saul loved him greatly; and David became his armor bearer. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
What Can This Story Teach Us?
It does not matter if you are beautiful, smart or even rich you are not chosen for these characteristics. You are chosen for your good righteous heart. The most important lesson we can learn from David as a Youth is that when the LORD choices a person to be in His service He does so by looking within the heart.
When Jesus was taking to Pharisees in Luke 16:15 she said they are those which justify themselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
You do not want to be one of those people who think so highly of yourself that you lose what is really important to the LORD. You do not have to tell people how special you are the LORD knows how special you are and how He is going to use you when you are ready.
David as a Youth David was a sheep herder, a boy who played the harp. It does not say that David was the best harp player or the biggest and strongest sheep herder. David allowed the LORD to use him as the LORD saw fit. That is exactly what you should be doing in your life. Using the gift that the LORD has given you and growing to your full potential.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “David as a Youth:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1959,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “David as a Youth:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1959,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “David as a Youth:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1959, (accessed).
