Lessons from a King (v9a)
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Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
INTRODUCTION
When I read the Old Testament stories about David, I cannot help but think of a man who rose from Shepherd to King. A great warrior—powerful, alert, poised, strategically smart, politically savvy!
David began the glory days of Israel that developed into a Golden Age of prosperity and power.
We remember him for his victory over Goliath, his terrible fall into sin with Bathsheba, his failures as a Father, and then his change of heart which finally made him into a real man when he confessed his sins to God.
But David was not without certain limitations...
He was a man who achieved great success; yet, he started on the bottom, the least of all his brothers, and made it to the top. He became a great warrior and the greatest of Israel’s kings.
But there were many who never saw his potential…
As a young man, he was an outcast from his family—the black sheep. He was the youngest in his family, and he was shunned by those who saw a flaw they could not overlook. As a boy he did not receive affirmation from those around him.
David’s greatest battles in his early years were not against the bear or the lion he slew while protecting his father’s sheep.
His greatest battles were created by the people who tried to put limitations on him...
David’s Father was the grandson of Boaz and Ruth...
Jesse was the leading Torah authority of his day, but his grandmother Ruth was a convert from the nation of Moab which put a blemish on his heritage.
During Ruth’s lifetime, many individuals were doubtful about the legitimacy of her marriage to Boaz. The Torah specifically forbids an Israelite to marry a Moabite convert, since this is the nation that refused Jewish people passage through their land, and refused to provide food and drink to purchase, when they wandered in the desert after being freed from Egypt.
Boaz understood this law as the classic interpretation transmitted in the “Oral Torah”—forbidding intermarriage with converted male Moabites, while exempting female Moabite converts. With his marriage to Ruth, Boaz hoped to clarify and publicize this Torah law, which was still unknown to the masses.
Boaz and the sages understood this law—as per the classic interpretation transmitted in the “Oral Torah”—as forbidding intermarriage with converted male Moabites (who were the ones responsible for the cruel conduct), while exempting female Moabite converts. With his marriage to Ruth, Boaz hoped to clarify and publicize this Torah law, which was still unknown to the masses.
HOWEVER, Boaz died the night after his marriage to Ruth. Ruth had conceived and later gave birth to their son Oved, the father of Jesse. But some claimed Boaz’s death verified that his marriage to Ruth the Moabite had been forbidden.
Boaz died the night after his marriage with Ruth. Ruth had conceived and subsequently gave birth to their son Oved, the father of Yishai. Some rabble-rousers at the time claimed that Boaz’s death verified that his marriage to Ruth the Moabite had indeed been forbidden.As a keeper of the Torah, this was a constant problem for Jesse.
As a keeper of the Torah, this was a constant problem for Jesse.
As a keeper of the Torah, this was a constant problem for Jesse.
According to The Talmud (which is ancient Jewish discussions and commentary on Jewish history, law, customs and culture), there was a question about David’s conception.
which is a Hebrew word meaning “learning, instruction.” The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism and consists primarily of discussions and commentary on Jewish history, law (especially its practical application to life), customs and culture.
which is an ancient Jewish commentary had a different take on this. First based on where David said he was conceived in sin, they had no doubt that David was conceived through an illicit relationship.
The Talmud discusses which shed light on David’s birth:
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
David was aware he was conceived in sin through an illicit relationship.
which is an ancient Jewish commentary had a different take on this. First based on where David said he was conceived in sin, they had no doubt that David was conceived through an illicit relationship.
, where David said he was conceived in sin, they had no doubt that David was conceived through an illicit relationship.
However, one story out of the Talmud stated that Jessee had divorced his wife, probably because of an illicit affair. Later after the divorce, his former wife briefly came back to Jessee, which was forbidden under the Law (), and David was conceived at this time.
The Talmud provides some background: Jesse had divorced his wife, because of an illicit affair. Jesse then had another relationship with a Caananite woman. Then after the divorce, his former wife briefly came back to Jesse, which was forbidden under the Law (), and David was conceived at this time. Though David had the same Mother and Father as his brothers, his birth was considered sinful.
IS NOT a proclamation acknowledging the original sin of all humanity; it is specific, personal description by David of his beginning! David is speaking of own sinful conception!
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
But if the second husband also turns against her, writes a document of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away, or if he dies, the first husband may not marry her again, for she has been defiled. That would be detestable to the Lord. You must not bring guilt upon the land the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession.
the first husband may not marry her again, for she has been defiled. That would be detestable to the Lord. You must not bring guilt upon the land the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession.
David is speaking of own sinful conception! He is telling his birth was a punishment for sin.
His choice of words are specific meaning he believed his birth was a punishment for sin.
—The verse IS NOT a proclamation acknowledging the original sin of all humanity; it is specific, personal!
—David is speaking of own sinful conception! He is telling his birth was a punishment for sin.
De
As a result, David was an outcast! The Jewish ancient literature says:
As a result, David was an outcast! He was not allowed to eat at the same table with his brothers and sisters. Even though he had the same Mother, he was considered to have been conceived in sin—therefore he was only suited to be a servant and nothing more.
David was not allowed to eat at the same table with his brothers and sisters.
He was pushed aside and ate his meals alone, and he was not allowed to interact with his family.
Even though he had the same Mother, he was considered to have been conceived in sin—therefore he was only suited to be a servant and nothing more.
The Jewish background writings helps us to see how...
The leaders who sat at the Gate mocked him. The musicians of the day wrote dirges about his sinful beginning. When something was stolen, David was accused and found guilt and often paid debts he did not owe.
We see his cries in :
More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore?
ps 69:
I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children;
When I cry and fast, they make fun of me. When I wear clothes of sadness, they joke about me. They make fun of me in public places, and the drunkards make up songs about me.
ps 69:
ps 69:10-12
All of this helps us to see how...
How others saw and treated David...
How others saw and treated David...
David’s Father thought he lacked king-potential…
David’s Father thought he lacked king-potential…
Why would God want an outcast child to be a king? Did you have a parent who did not believe in you? Siblings who treated you badly?
When Jesse received the message that Samuel was going to select one of his sons as king—he was probably very excited, so he gathered all his sons; except David! Because David had no king-potential!
David was not just the youngest, he was an insignificant, unimportant, outcast child! Even the Prophet Samuel thought like Jesse and expected one of Jesse’s other sons to be king!
David was the youngest, an insignificant, unimportant child.
Even the Prophet Samuel thought like Jesse and expected one of Jesse’s other sons to be king!
Because David had no king-potential!
All of them thought David had no potential—even David had doubts about his future!
give us insight into David’s thoughts: It is RECOLLECTION FROM DAVID, of his early struggles and estrangement from his family...
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
—The verse IS NOT a proclamation acknowledging the original sin of all humanity; it is specific, personal!
The Jewish Midrash explains David’s problem as one of heritage. It seems Jesse struggled with his grandmother Ruth’s connection to the Moabites. So for a period of time, he
—David is speaking of own sinful conception! He is telling his birth was a punishment for sin.
David’s early struggles and estrangement from his family...
describes David’s early struggles and estrangement from his family.
In the Psalm he records how he was not welcome by his Father’s children, nor was he welcome among the children his Mother has later on.
—The leaders who sat at the Gate mocked him. The musicians of the day wrote dirges about his sinful beginning. When something was stolen, David was accused and found guilt and often paid debts he did not owe.
The leaders who sat at the Gate mocked him. The musicians of the day wrote dirges about his sinful beginning. When something was stolen, David was accused and assumed guilty and often paid debts he did not owe.
We see his cries throughout the Psalm...
More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore?
I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children;
When I cry and fast, they make fun of me. When I wear clothes of sadness, they joke about me. They make fun of me in public places, and the drunkards make up songs about me.
But God WAS NOT interested in appearance, GOD DID NOT CARE THAT DAVID WAS AN OUTCAST! BECAUSE God saw David’s heart!
But God WAS NOT interested in appearance—He was looking at the heart!
When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
God NEVER determines our potential from how we look on the outside! He ALWAYS looks at the heart!
Those words were written for misfits and outcasts! For the Island of misfit toys. For the Roi Rats. For misplaced and forgotten! SCripture is filled will heroes of the faith that were outcasts!
—Moses ran from justice, but God used him.
—Jonah ran from God, but God used him.
So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
—Rahab ran a brothel, but used her.
—Sarah ran out of hope, and God used her.
—Lot ran with the wrong crowd, and God used him.
God used people over and over again that others had given up on—just like He used the outcast David!
Human eyes saw a boy, cast into the wilderness to tend sheep.
God NEVER determines our potential from how we look on the outside! He ALWAYS looks at the heart!
Yet the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is the one!” God NEVER determines our potential from how we look on the outside! He ALWAYS looks at the heart!
aims it.
God saw potential NO ONE else saw—so He nurtured David to become the man He needed to lead a nation!
Everyone else missed it… no one saw David’s potential...
Yet in the midst of his misery; we see a reflection of the heart that made God select him as he prays for others:
Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves. The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people. Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them. For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and settle in their own land. The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land, and those who love him will live there in safety.
Ps 69:3-
As an outcast...
David’s brothers also did NOT believe he had any potential—even after he was anointed as King. It would take 3 more years until David kills Goliath that his brothers begin to accept him.
David’s brothers also did NOT believe he had any potential—even after he was anointed as King. It would take 3 more years until David kills Goliath that his brothers begin to accept him.
When Israel was at war with the Philistines, three of David’s brothers became soldiers in Israel’s army while David was left behind to care for his father’s flocks.
And when Jesse did send David down to the battle lines to take his brothers food and to bring back news, his brothers abused him— especially when David expressed interest in doing battle with Goliath, even when all the soldiers feared the giant.
The Bible says his brother Eliab became angry and said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle” ().
His brothers saw David as nothing more than an errand boy! Even though he had been anointed by God...
Did you grow up under your brother or sister’s shadow? Did your siblings not believe in you?
When David went out to face Goliath, even the Giant mocked him!
When David went out to face Goliath, even the Giant mocked him!
Goliath did not see David as a worthy adversary—his underestimation cost him his life.
No one really expected David to survive—after no one really believed in him because they only looked at the outer man.
They failed to see what God saw—a man with a true heart!
But God WAS NOT interested in appearance, GOD DID NOT CARE THAT DAVID WAS AN OUTCAST! BECAUSE God saw David’s heart!
Look again at David’s anointing (age: 15-22)
When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Those words were written for misfits and outcasts! Perhaps for the Island of misfit toys. And for the Roi Rats. And for the misplaced and forgotten! Scripture is filled will heroes of the faith that were outcasts!
—Moses ran from justice, but God used him.
—Jonah ran from God, but God used him.
—Rahab ran a brothel, but used her.
—Sarah ran out of hope, and God used her.
—Lot ran with the wrong crowd, and God used him.
God used people over and over again that others had given up on—just like He used the outcast David!
God used people over and over again that others had given up on—just like He used the outcast David!
Human eyes saw a boy, cast into the wilderness to tend sheep. Yet the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is the one!” God NEVER determines our potential from how we look on the outside! He ALWAYS looks at the heart!
God NEVER determines our potential from how we look on the outside! He ALWAYS looks at the heart!
Yet the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is the one!” God NEVER determines our potential from how we look on the outside! He ALWAYS looks at the heart!
God NEVER determines our potential from how we look on the outside! He ALWAYS looks at the heart!
God saw potential NO ONE else saw—so He nurtured David to become the man He needed to lead a nation!
You may not see any potential in your life. You may think because your are not big enough, strong enough, smart enough, handsome or pretty enough that God cannot use you—YOU ARE WRONG!
David threw off everyone’s limitations and became a MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART!
David threw off everyone’s limitations and became a MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART!
David threw off everyone’s limitations and became a MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART!
1. A man who exceeded all his and his family’s expectations.
2. We see a man whose success went beyond anything others had accomplished.
3. We see, despite David’s skill with a sword and his inability to wear someone else’s armor—a man who surpassed everyone’s expectations as a warrior.
4. We see a flawed man who struggles with his past, and at times fell into sin because he failed to deal with it!
YET! David threw off everyone’s limitations and became a MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART!
He reminds us that limitations don’t limit us, unless we let them!
He was spiritually sensitive enough to know he could only succeed if he leaned on God!
David learned he had to be the man God shaped him to be!
How has God shaped you? What is your purpose? Why are you here?
NEXT WEEK we’re starting a series to discover the life God created each of us to live, a life of eternal meaning and significance!
Through this powerful fi ve-week series, your community will be invited to journey from a life
centered on themselves, to the life God created each of us to live, a life of eternal meaning and
inalienable signifi cance.
What about you? Does you life have meaning and significance? Have you surrendered to the limitations others placed on you, or have you thrown off the limitations pressed upon you by others?
ILLUSTRATION
Remember the Rubix Cube? Came out about 1976.
My daughter had a rubix cube, and none of us could figure it out.
One day Amy came in and showed Billie and I a completed cube.
We would mess it up and a little while she would come back with it solved again.
She amazed us! After all, she was just 3 years old!
We had guests over one night and we messed up her cube, then a few minutes later she came back and amazed us again. The she did it again, and again—everyone was amazed!
Later that evening, I asked her to show me how she solved it—she then began to peel off all the stickers off and stick them her arm. Then she put them back on in the right order.
Technically it was not right—but she was not limited to doing it the conventional way!
When the limitations are taken off, we often find solutions to otherwise unsolvable problems!
CONCLUSION
God made you, shaped you, surrounded you with challenges to make you into the man or women He desires. A person whose heart leans on Him. A warrior He can use!
"The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it." --Theodore Roosevelt
When Saul realized David was going to fight Goliath, he tried to make David wear his armor, carry his sword, fight as he would. But David had the sense to realize, God had not called him to fight like Saul—God wanted David to fight as HE was designed!
All of us have limitations we were born with that we need to identify. But we should never surrender to the limitations pressed upon us by others!
That day on the battlefield David learned a lesson that would guide him the rest of his life:
“People follow the example of their leader. And a good leader ALWAYS wants their followers to exceed what they accomplished.”
Real help others exceed their own success. They want life for their children to be better than their own. The long for their children to build on their foundation—not necessarily they physical foundation, because they understand the physical world changes and one day will pass away. But the spiritual world—they long for their children to be better people, to gain wisdom by learning from their mistakes so their children will have to suffer as they did. They want their children to raise the bar and be more successful than them in every area of life.
Prayer: Lord God, help us to see ourselves as You see us, not as others do, to focus on what can be accomplished with You and not what can’t be accomplished without You. Lead us to rise above the limitations placed on us by others, so that they might help others rise above their limitations.
Lord God, help us to see ourselves as You see us, not as others do, to focus on what can be accomplished with You and not what can’t be accomplished without You, and to rise above the limitations placed on us by others, so that they might help others rise above their limitations.