Today’s Readings
Context
The selection of David as a king of Israel is a significant moment. Saul was anointed as king because he was tall and handsome - all of the worldly traits that seem to make someone successful. David was none of those things. He may not have been grotesque but neither did his appearance make anyone think, "This kid is going to be a king," He was a shepherd, a song-maker, and a fierce protector of his sheep, but no one thought he would ever sit on Israel's throne.
But God had a different idea in mind. He sent Samuel to Jesse's house to anoint David, then he established David's line as an eternal kingdom, guaranteeing that a descendant of David would sit on the throne forever. One day, one of David's offspring will return and take the reigns of government as King of kings and Lord of lords, "and he shall reign forever and ever."
There are several significant covenants made in the OT. The Noahic covenant was God's promise not to destroy the world. It would last until the end of time. The Abrahamic covenant is an unconditional covenant to bless Israel and to use them to bless the world. The Mosaic covenant is conditional - God will bless obedient Israel and discipline them when they disobey the law. And then there is the Davidic covenant, God's decision to give the reigns of government eternally to Christ. Of course, there is one more covenant, introduced in Jeremiah 31, fleshed out in the New Testament (which actually means "New Covenant") and sealed in the blood of Christ - the New Covenant written on men's hearts.
Devotional
Jesse must have been shocked when Samuel the prophet invited him to take part in the sacrifice. He was not some rich, powerful, prominent Israelite who would expect to be included in something big like this. But he brought his sons, all but the youngest, and he went to join Samuel for this great honor.
That is when the parade started. First up was Eliab, the eldest. Strong and tall, Samuel thought for sure that he was looking at the next king of Israel. God had decided to replace the sinful King Saul with a man who might follow him and walk in his ways and had sent him to Jesse. Immediately, he assumed he'd found his man. God said no! In verse 7, God explained himself.
Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.God doesn't look at the outside like we do, he looks at the heart. Eliab was not the man. Abinadab came by, then Shammah. God said no. Each of the seven sons was rejected by God. Finally, Samuel looked at Jesse and said, "Is this it?" Then Jesse remembered little 'ole number 8 - little Davey out in the pasture. "Well, there's the shepherd boy." Samuel ordered him brought in and as soon as he saw him, he knew immediately that David was the king! He anointed the boy, who was filled with the Spirit from that day forward.
David became the greatest king in Israel's history, the king by which every other king is measured. Yes, he was a sinner who failed miserably, but he was a man after God's own heart as well. But when it came time for the prophet to anoint him, his own dad didn't even think enough of him to bring him out of the fields to show him to Samuel. I think my kids are great and I think my grandkids are spectacular. But David didn't even get the smallest amount of respect from his dad.
"The boy is worthless. He just sits out in the field and strums that harp."
I don't know exactly how the relationship was between Jesse and David. Maybe there was a deep love. Maybe this was just a bad day. But when the prophet showed up to pick a king, Jesse never even considered David worth mentioning!
Have you ever had people doubt you? Disrespect you? Treat you badly? Remember this, it is not what you can do that matters, but what the Spirit of God working in you can do. David, filled with God and his Spirit, did wonderful works from that day forward. Even though he fell into sin his life counted for the kingdom of God. He made a difference.
Don't let the opinions of others define you. Let the power of God be your strength. You are what God says you are, not what people say you aren't. Your life is defined by the work of God in you not the failings of your life.
Thank you, Father, for your grace and power which works in me and defines me. I am grateful that I do not have to live by the opinions of men or define myself by their favor or disfavor. Help me to live in you and you alone.
Think and Pray
Do you define yourself by what others think of you or do you live in the light of God's grace and who you are in him?
Whose opinion of you matters most?
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