The Book of 1 Samuel: David and Youth

Man, this book is so supremely cool. Starting at 1 Samuel 16. I wanted to share with you the best things that I've gleaned from David's life, starting right at the beginning (before you even KNEW HIM)

In 1 Samuel 16 it describes the calling and anointing of David
In 1 Samuel 17 it describes a man fearless in courage
In 1 Samuel 18 it describes the man with greater wisdom than anyone in Israel
In 1 Samuel 19 it describes the man who fled from the face of death
In 1 Samuel 20 it describes the man who was intouch with God's heart of justice.

I also want to say that the King James Version is the COOLEST As translation. Especially when you hear it spoken by an english man. So in 1 Samuel 16 we read about a certain characteristic of David, namely, Him being after God's own heart. Starting from verse 6

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed [is] before him. 7 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.8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all [thy] children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. 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 brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

What a shaming experience for all of his brothers, they don't have what Samuel is looking for! But David does. The answer is in the second verse of the passage, "The Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" He was a man not known by anyone. In the 17th chapter we read:

"[As] thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell." (55)

The irony behind this statement. No one knew who David was, not even His own Father. On the most important day of his existance, His son was no where to be found. This Shepherd boy had been doing what was the most important thing in the world. He was getting in touch with His God.

In the next chapter we read that the nation of Israel were in trepidation over the THREAT of the enemy. everyone of the strong men of Israel were melting in their hearts and not able to move. None was willing, because so much rided on this confrontation. But we find out David's first statement as he walks onto the Battlefield:

"What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (26)

In the face of fear David's response is one of absolute courage. And a second time, in front of the King

"Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine." (32)

He was so removed from the fear that He said "I'm going to fight and slay this Philistine"

When the King retorts, David's response is absolutely classic. Saul is only thinking of his servants, and the odds that it would take to defeat this man. David does not even speak in that vein and says:

"And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee." (34-37)

The last verse shows where David's confidence was lying. What he is saying is "this is my rest: I know that the Lord is my deliverer"

I want to examine the statement that Saul makes. We read later in the chapter what was going on in Saul's heart as he sent away this Young Man.

"And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son [is] this youth? And Abner said, [As] thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell." (55)

Saul, the King of Israel watches in absolute wonder at this man. I want to show what he meant by His question.

In the song of Songs the phrase "Who is this?" is mentioned twice. The first time it appears is in Chapter 3 when the Holy Spirit reveals to the bride who Jesus is. The phrase means "absolute wonder and amazement" the second time is in Chapter 8, when it refers to the Bride herself. What was going through Saul's mind is absolute wonder at this man. He has just defeated the Philistine in his mind. We read the fate of the Philistine earlier in the chapter. Like I said before, the irony of Abner's statement! No one in Israel knew who this youth was! he was on the hills of Bethlehem absolutely unknown until the day when all Israel would know His name. It would be wrong to not put him over everything that He owns. We read that he does this, straight after the defeat.

I want to look at a phrase in the 18th chapter.

"Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, [that] David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by." (30)

It is the last verse in the chapter. What would it look like to be called the man "more wise than all the servants of the King" imagine Daniel being the only one to give council to the King of Babylon, or Joseph in charge of all of Pharaoh's house. It was so great this is the result: "his name was much set by" or greater than any man's name. There is also a verse that I like to quote earlier in the chapter:

"And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD [was] with him.
Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them." (14-16)
the effect of this wisdom is two fold: fear in your enemies, and love from all your friends

In the next chapter I would like to summarize the chapter as this: David runs from the threat of death. I cannot remember the number of times that "Saul sought David's life" and "Saul threw spears at David" - These are not cute phrases, Every day he was in a position where David's life was in jeopardy. We know that as christians the promise is that we will be persecuted, as the Master suffers so do His servants.

In Chapter 20 we find a side of David that is very revealing. He begins in a state of shock, and not knowing what to do, blurts out the only thing that comes to mind. "I have sinned, and I am being pursued for my iniquity" It's the classic "I'm in the wrong! It's me!" We find out that the situation is totally out of control. Jonathan doesn't know what is happening, but, just like in the previous chapter, Saul is seeking David's life. They decide to plan something because they do not know what is going on. But then the next response is kind of strange and kind of warming. They make a covenant together. I imagine that we (just as He) maybe tempted to wait until things had settled down before making plans for our life. But this is when He decides to put confidence in God's ability, and to show it, makes a covenant. I do not think this is done lightly. I do not think it is in the mind of David to simply be rid of His enemies. I think that He is pulling all the stops out and flinging himself before God's mercy. In saying this I want to paint the picture. If I was in the situation I would wait until things had simmered down, I would be in a place of rest and in which in my mind I have peace. I would not make RASH DECISIONS. That's what I think is happening here. It's actually a gamble on David's part. He was making a plan for his life, saying, This is what my family, friends and relatives will say about me. One that I will not erase or turn back from, "THIS IS WHO I AM" he is saying. when you write a will, you normally try to factor in every kind of council, The ones you trust to maintain the family name, putting a vast amount of thought to who is worthy, and who gets the small items.

For God, these things are all the same. Since He has given us the Holy Spirit, we are right to trust in Him, he is our will writer, who in fact rewrites part of our history that were not nice. It strikes me that David flinging himself into God's arms at this time looks like the most natural thing to do. Yet it was also the deepest and most profound thing He could do in light of truly important and consequential questions. He could very well have been taking a stroll down the boulevard and been thinking these things. Our confidence is in a God who is able to give us exactly what we need in any circumstance.

There are a few statements in this chapter that lead me to these conclusions. Firstly,

"notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?" (20)

that means that He had a sense of God's justice as he was saying these things, both of them did. Iniquity is a reason for you to be pursued by speedy justice. (It matters not to me! I do not treasure iniquity but God is sovereign!)

"The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father [to do] thee evil," (13)

This is a statement of Jonathan, where in he agrees with David's previous statement

This all proves David was willing to Go anywhere for God. He was flinging himself before God's mercy. - THIS IS WHO I AM. We read of God's acceptance of this declaration in the psalms, and in the seasons that would follow in David's life.

Jonathan becomes aware of Saul's real face later in the chapter, it is of absolute disgust "That he would sell out David" this is seen in His wrath towards Him, "doing David shame" This is because His father cared more about what people thought.

I get so much courage and faith looking at David and reading the psalms - and it reveals so much of Jesus own life and ministry.