Samuel Anoints David as King

Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-23

Theme: God chooses leaders who seek after Him with their whole heart.

Date: 06/06/21 File name: King_David_01 ID Number: OT09-16

This evening we being looking at the life of David, son of Jesse. As I looked at year’s worth of old sermons, I discovered that I’d never preached much about the life of David. I’ve preached from his psalms, and I’ve repeatedly referred to him in other sermons, but I’ve never preached on his life and the lessons we can learn from his life. Tonight I’ll begin to rectify that glaring omission in my preaching.

David’s life can be summed up under six headings ...

• The Shepherd Boy

• The King

• The Man

• The Warrior

• The Friend

• The Sinner

Most of you know the essentials of his life. He is Jesse’s youngest son and tends the family’s sheep and goat herds. As a teenager, he is secretly anointed as Israel’s next king by the Prophet Samuel and enters King Saul’s service. He slays Goliath. David and Jonathan, King Saul’s oldest son and heir to the throne, become fast friends. The women of Jerusalem sing David’s praises after Israel’s battle with the Philistines and Saul becomes insanely jealous. David flees from Saul’s presence and becomes a fugitive. When Saul and Jonathan are both killed in battle, David becomes king at Hebron. He later captures Jerusalem and become king over all of Israel. After years on the throne he has to flee a coup-de-ta by his own son, Absalom. Absalom is eventually killed and David returns to Jerusalem where he dies of old age after reigning over Israel forty years. On his death bed he tells his son Solomon to keep his heart set on God.

In this series on David, we will look at the major events of his life and discover the lessons they have for us. Tonight we begin with David’s anointing as Israel’s next king.

I. SEARCHING FOR A NEW KING (16:1-5)

1. the story of David’s life begins with God’s rejection os King Saul

A. SAUL AS A STUDY IN CONTRASTS

1. although he was Israel’s first king, he was ultimately rejected

a. his dark, fitful personality suffers by contrast with the two legendary figures between whom he seems wedged — Samuel the faithful prophet-priest and David, Saul’s giant-killing, hero-successor

2. the Bible describes Saul rising to the throne in the face of the Philistine military threat

a. at some point before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and began their conquest of the promised land, waves of seafaring people called the Philistines landed on the southwestern shores of Canaan

b. as Israel moved into the land, they would ultimately meet the Philistines who militarily and technically more advanced than the Israelites

c. facing these dire circumstances, the Israelite tribes determined that they must have a king

1) the Philistines would remain a thorn in Israel’s side for centuries

2) the author of 1 Samuel points out that Israel’s “ ... conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul’s days” (1 Sam. 14:52)

3. in addition to the external threat from the Philistines, Israel’s experiment with human kingship was taking a bad turn

a. King Saul, did indeed, lead Israel to a number of important military victories

b. however, God knew — and revealed the sad news to His prophet Samuel — that Saul lacked the most important quality for an Israelite king

1) Saul was not wholehearted in his faith in the Lord

2) time and again the king refused to be fully obedient to the Lord’s commands

ILLUS. The last straw came when God tells King Saul to “ ... strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them ... “ But Saul disobeys. In 1 Samuel 15 we read “And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.”

When the Prophet Samuel confronts Saul, his comment is, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” And, do you remember Saul’s justification? “Oh, we brought these critters home to offer them as a sacrifice to God. Really. Cross my heart and hope to die.”

4. God’s response is the reject Saul

“The word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandment.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night.” (1 Samuel 15:10, ESV)

1. 1 Samuel 16 reveals that Israel’s true King, the Lord God, was neither despondent nor thrown off course by Saul’s failure

a. He already had chosen a new king and was ready to send His prophet to Bethlehem to anoint the him

B. DAVID AS A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART

1. 1 Samuel 16:1-5 tell us of Samuel’s search for Israel’s next king — God knows who it is, but the Prophet does not

a. 1 Samuel 15 ends with the Prophet Samuel deeply grieved by the turn of events

“Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. ... ” (1 Samuel 15:34–35, NIV84)

b. as the chapter opens God chides His prophet for mourning over someone who He has rejected — it’s time for him to get up, get out and find Israel’s new king who God has already chosen

“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.”” (1 Samuel 16:1, NIV84)

c. Samuel is deeply concerned about this command knowing that if Saul finds out he will have Samuel executed

1) the prophet obviously knows Saul’s character pretty well

2) even though God had rejected him, Saul was still the most powerful man in Israelite society

2. God, in his mercy, provide His prophet a “cover story”

“ ... The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 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?” 5 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.” (1 Samuel 16:2–5, NIV84)

a. so as not to raise suspicion, Samuel is to go to Bethlehem and offer sacrifice unto the Lord

3. Samuel did what the Lord directed and went to Bethlehem

II. SELECTING A NEW KING (16:6-13)

1. God’s selection of David as King reminds us that God doesn’t judge things by their outward appearance, but what is on the inside

ILLUS. When browsing a garage sale nearly two decades ago, commercial artist Rick Norsigian bought two boxes of glass-plate photography negatives for $45, simply because he was drawn to the images of Yosemite, where he once worked. After researching, Norsigian realized that the negatives might be the work of famed landscape photographer Ansel Adams. They were, and the box of photographic plates he bought for $45 are estimated to be worth $200 million.

a. sometimes real treasure comes in unassuming forms

b. David is an example of that

2. in vs. 6-10 we see that Jesse and his sons arrived at the sacrifice, and Samuel is ready to anoint the new king of Israel — the man after the Lord’s own heart

a. Jesse’s sons must have all been strapping examples of Hebrew manhood

1) as each son is presented Samuel seems convinced that “this one must be the man”

“When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.”” (1 Samuel 16:6–10, NIV84)

b. I’ve always loved vs. 11 “Is this it? Are these all yours sons?”

1) Samuel is a prophet of God, but by this times he’s got to be wondering why God is so picky

c. no, according to Jesse there is one more son, the youngest, but he’s out tending the sheep

A. DAVID’S SELECTION

1. we know the story — God chooses the youngest son, the insignificant son, the son who will inherit virtually nothing from his father’s estate

a. even in the Old Testament we find God’s principle that the last shall be first, and the first shall be servant of all

“And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. 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 brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.” (1 Samuel 16:12–13, ESV)

2. Samuel was faced with a perplexing situation

a. had he misunderstood God’s guidance?

b. had he failed to perceive God’s “yes” with regard to any of Jesse’s sons?

3. when David shows up God essentially tells Samuel, “He’s the one — anoint him!”

a. the text describes David as ruddy (glowing with health NIV), with beautiful eyes, and with a handsome appearance — literally goodly to look at

b. but most importantly, David is wholeheartedly for God

1) the bible tells us that God searches for men like David

“For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His. ... ”” (2 Chronicles 16:9, HCSB)

2) God’s choice of David tell us much about the character of the man

c. the evidence of God’s approval is found in vs. 16:13b And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward

d. from the day of David’s anointing by Samuel to his ascent to the throne it will be fifteen years

III. SOOTHING THE TROUBLED SPIRIT OF A REJECTED KING (16:14-23)

1. in these verses God’s providential will is evident

a. he provides for Israel’s new anointed king to come into Saul’s palace

1) there he will “learn the ropes” so to speak

2) he will learn both the good and the bad of kingship

b. David’s new status before the Lord stood in sharp contrast to Saul’s

2. Saul is going to quickly degenerate emotionally and spiritually

a. 1 Samuel 16:14 has been a difficult passage for generations of believers

“Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him.” (1 Samuel 16:14, ESV)

b. two things are going on here

1) 1st, the Spirit of the Lord departed Saul

a) Saul had lost the empowering reality behind the anointing that had marked his selection for divine service earlier in 1 Samuel 10

b) the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament appears different than in the New Testament

c) the indwelling was selective and temporary

d) one of the primary roles of the Spirit’s work in the Old Testament is the granting of ability for service — much like the way the spiritual gifts operate in the New Testament, the Spirit would gift certain individuals for service

2) 2nd, a harmful spirit from the Lord was sent to torment Saul

a) there are a number of ways to interpret what is happening here, but the one that makes sense to me is that God sent an angel of judgment against Saul that caused him constant misery

b) it was a supernatural assault by a being sent at the Lord’s command, and it was brought on by Saul’s disobedience

c. this is the only time in the Old Testament that an individual is noted as being tormented by a troubling/evil spirit

1) Saul’s condition is so unique and so unusual that the verb that describes Saul’s condition is used nowhere else

3. the change in Saul is so evident that even the broader court begin to perceive the change in the King

“And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.”” (1 Samuel 16:15–16, ESV)

a. enter David into the Royal Court of King Saul

1) Saul say, “Good idea. Find someone who plays well and bring them to me”

b. one of Saul’s servants says, “I just happen to know just the guy ... “

“One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.”” (1 Samuel 16:18, ESV)

c. I think it’s interesting to read in vs. 19 that David is back with the sheep

1) he’s just been secretly anointed as Israel’s next king, and what does he do? ... he goes back to tending the family’s sheep

a) that says much about David’s character

4. and with that David enter’s into Israelite Royal Court life

ILLUS. Someone could make an on-going TV series about this. They might call it Game of Thrones.

a. the chapter ends with David using his God-given skills to serve Saul

“And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.” (1 Samuel 16:23, ESV)

IV. LESSONS

1. David’s Anointing as Israel’s next King Reminds Us That God’s Ways Are Not Our Ways

a. God does not value or judge the same things that man does

b. we are often shallow and fickle; we judge by outward appearances

ILLUS. In digital age in which we live, I wonder if some of our Founding Fathers would be electable in our age. I think of John Adams. He was intelligent, patriotic, opinionated and often blunt to a fault. Writing to his friend Thomas Jefferson, Adams said of himself, “I am obnoxious and disliked.” He was 5 feet 6 inches and portly in middle age. He was consistently sick, suffering from chest pains; headaches, and heartburn. He was balding. By the time he became president, his hands shook with palsy, and most of his teeth had fallen out. He talked with a lisp.

If he were running today for political office today, he’d probably never be elected. His “image” would be unsuitable in the age of video.

ILLUS. Consider the Nixon/Kennedy Presidential debate. In 1960, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon squared off in the first televised presidential debates in American history. The debate not only had a major impact on the election’s outcome, but ushered in a new era in which crafting a public image and taking advantage of media exposure became essential ingredients of a successful political campaign.

Virtually everyone that listened to the debate over the radio believed that Nixon won the debate. Virtually everyone of the 70 million TV viewers overwhelmingly though Kennedy won the debate. Why the difference?

When answering the questions, Kennedy looked directly at the camera connecting with the audience. Nixon looked off to the side address the moderators and audience. On TV it appeared that Nixon was shifting his gaze to avoid eye contact. Nixon refused to wear makeup, while Kennedy did. Nixon, had a notoriously heavy beard, and by the evening of the debate it was obvious. People commented that he looked like a gangster. Nixon also sweated profusely under the studio lights, and in the camera close-ups the audience could see rivulets of perspiration running down his face.

How bad was it? Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley reportedly said of Nixon, “My God, they’ve embalmed him before he even died.”

c. in America, public figures especially “live or die” by their media persona

d. God, however, looks deeper — He wants servants with the right kind of heart

1) Eliab was the oldest, and Samuel was immediately impressed by his physical appearance — “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord”

2) God does not look at what man looks at. God says in Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

2. You Cannot Mock God Through Disobedience and Expect God to Remain Quiet

a. Saul began with so much promise

b. did the power go to his head?

1) probably

c. it appears that Saul gave only “lip-service” to his relationship with God

3. God Was at Work in Ways No One Could See

a. it seems plain to us from our distant perspective, but at the time, perhaps only Samuel knew what was going on