The Rise of David

GOLDEN TEXT: “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.” —I Samuel 16:7

I SAMUEL 18:5-16

AFTER God withdrew his favor from Saul he instructed Samuel to anoint one of the sons of Jesse, a resident of Bethlehem, to be king. The Lord’s choice fell on David. Samuel’s choice would have been otherwise, for as the Golden Text implies, his decision would have been based upon outward appearance. This, to him, would seem logical; for in the case of Saul, had not God chosen a man to be king who was head and shoulders above his fellows?

But God was concerned with the heart condition, rather than the outward appearance; and as great in stature as Saul was, he was “little” in his own eyes. He had humility of heart, but failed to maintain that proper appraisal of himself. David, as we know, throughout his reign as king of Israel committed many sins, but his heart was right before the Lord. Indeed, the Lord acknowledged him as being a man after his own heart.—Acts 13:22

David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons, and a handsome boy—“withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.” (I Sam. 16:12) We are told that after his anointing by Samuel the Spirit of the Lord came upon David. We are also informed that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul. (vss. 13,14) Thus the Lord was preparing for the change of rulership, although he did not forcibly remove Saul from being king.

David was very young when anointed by Samuel, but he was a brilliant young man, and in the Lord’s providence Saul’s attention was called to him. This was through one of Saul’s servants who, when requested to provide him with a skilful harp player, said to the king, “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 [margin, speech], and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.”—I Sam. 16:18

Saul sent for David, and when he saw him he loved him, and made him his armor bearer. All went well until David accepted the challenge to fight the mighty giant of the Philistine army, and slew him. This led to a signal victory over the Philistine army for which the Israelites were most grateful, and for which the women gave David the glory, joyfully singing, dancing, and shouting that while Saul had slain his “thousands,” David had slain his “ten thousands.”—I Sam. 18:7

This at once stirred up a spirit of jealousy in Saul, “and Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” (vs. 9) He attempted to kill David with a javelin, or spear, but failed. “And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.” (vs. 12) Evidently Saul was beginning to recognize the change that was taking place, but instead of being reconciled to the inevitable, he carried on a continuous campaign against David, seeking by any and every means possible to destroy him.

David exercised commendable restraint. Saul’s opposition at first was not open. In fact, he appointed David to be “his captain over a thousand.” (vs. 13) Perhaps this was in order to watch him more carefully, hoping thereby to find some excuse against him. But “David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.”—vs. 14

God’s favor was no longer upon Saul. He was now caring for and blessing David, and there was nothing that Saul could do that could harm David. On the other hand, there was nothing that David needed to do against Saul. His part now was to wait on the Lord, and this he did with patience and dignity. When jealousy against another enters the heart it leads to evil thoughts and efforts to injure him. But, like David, the one being attacked, if he has the right spirit, leaves all in the Lord’s hands. He sees no need for returning evil for evil, but is willing to wait on the Lord to reveal the right.

If the Lord is not blessing us as we think we deserve, let us not become jealous of others, but examine our own hearts to make sure that we are fully obedient to his will so that the Lord might use us. It is so easy to stand in our own way.

QUESTIONS

What important qualification does God look for in those he chooses to serve him?

What evil spirit entered Saul’s heart because of David’s popularity?

Do those whom the Lord is blessing need to promote their own interests to the detriment of others?

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