David was born in the city of Bethlehem, much like Jesus. He was also a servant to his father, much like Jesus was a servant to the people. His heart was for God at a young age, and therefore, God was with him. He may not have been the kind of person that his father Jesse and others may have thought would be anointed by God to be king, however the Lord knew differently. God acts and sees differently than us humans and we must realize this, in order for Him to work through us. This is because 1“the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) And so it was that 1“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. 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. 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.” (1 Samuel 16:11-13) Surely, God has a mission for each of His faithful followers. We may not look like the kind of person that is suited to be an evangelist or pastor, but if it is God’s calling for that person, He is able to mold their lives with His hands. Then, are they able to proclaim the gospel to congregations and people with boldness and great courage.
It was after David got the calling from God to be King, that God’s anointing was removed from Saul. So the Spirit of God left him and an evil spirit found rout in Saul’s heart instead. It was then that Saul became restless and needed comfort. So his servants came to Saul and said, 1“behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. 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.” (1 Samuel 16:15,16) So they saught after David and he 1“came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. 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. (1 Samuel 16:21-23) This was just the beginning of David’s journey, but his future looked positive. It is interesting that he had a love for harp music. I mention this because harp music is soothing and really helps me focus more on God also. So if you love the Lord, then seek Him in prayer often, by reading the bible daily, and through listening to good music (Christian, Classical, harp, piano and other music like this). This will really help you focus on God and start leaning on Him. God wants to anoint you with the Holy Spirit, but you must give your life to follow Him first.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, thank You for anointing Your people and myself with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are so lost without You and are truly grateful to have true direction in this life. Every time we come to You, we find counsel and wisdom and are so humbled to receive it. Thank You for giving us knowledge and leading us on your path of righteousness. This is what we need to be happy. There is hope, because You have us by the hand and are leading us now. Apart from You, there is no joy, but only guilt and shame. We can find joy for a time, but it never lasts and are always back trying to find something better in life that will fulfil our lusts. These types of feelings are so destructive and never lead me to happiness, Lord. I am only more desirous of things that I don’t have and need and covetousness enters my wicked heart. So Lord, I pray that I may never be ruled over by the flesh again. Instead, I pray that You will lead me and guide me. My desire is to have you build me up with Your strength and not my own any longer. From this day forward, will follow You and not just say I believe. It is my true desire to make You Lord of my life and have You remove anything that is causing a right in our relationship. So may there be less of me and more of You in my life. Only by abiding in You can I ever experience what true joy is like. You are my King and I come to You now in honor and praise. I exalt Your holy Name, Jesus. Please help me know what to do now and I will do more than listen, but follow Your every footsteps. It is with great pleasure to do whatsoever You command me. I love You Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
11 Samuel 16 (KJV)
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 armourbearer.
22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour 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.
