God's Promise Rests on David

1 Samuel 16:12-13 So Samuel sent and had David brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” 13 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 upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
 
THE scene shifts from Obed and Ruth to the home of their grandson Jesse, who had eight sons. At this point, Israel is under Saul’s kingship. He is of the tribe of Benjamin. God is displeased with Saul’s lack of devotion to his commands. So he instructs Samuel, the head priest and first prophet of 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)
   What do you do when God chooses you? Try to put yourself in David’s place. You are tending to your father’s sheep because you are the youngest in the family. You have no standing among your father and brothers. You do the work they don’t want to do. And the general culture considered shepherding as the lowest of occupations. Then suddenly a brother or servant comes to tell you, “Come home! Samuel wants to see you.” Maybe David was afraid. Samuel’s reputation in Israel is that he demands absolute obedience to God’s law. When Samuel arrived in a town as he did in Bethlehem that day, people want to know, “Do you come in peace?”
   What is a shepherd boy to do? He is to do what he has been doing – obey the authority in the house. He submits to Samuel, who anointed him with a full horn of oil – an extravagant demonstration of God’s plan for David. And then Samuel went home. That was it. There was no physical crown for David that day. It’s likely he returned to his sheep.
   But from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. The Bible is very clear. God’s choosing is the beginning of a new pathway into your future. And as with Abraham and others, it would be a difficult pathway for David.
   The remainder of 1 Samuel is the slow, challenging progression of David’s life into Israel’s kingship. He’s a gifted musician who soothes Saul’s anguish with his harp. David demonstrates a love and devotion for God in his victory over Goliath. He honors Saul as God’s servant even as Saul was determined to kill him. David gains a reputation for military success and develops a loyal band of followers. The Spirit’s power is apparent as God protects his anointed one, and he becomes a well-known leader in Israel. It was a long journey from the sheep fold to Israel’s throne.
   When you read the Bible, know you are reading about real people with real life challenges. Distress and doubt tempted their hearts to turn from God. But those who trusted in the real God of heaven and earth found victory through the trials. Several psalms express David’s faith and joy in the LORD through that time. This is God’s promise to you, too. “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46)