#11 From Shepherd to King David’s Early years 1 Samuel 17-31

Review

Plot Points  The Lord does not look at the outward appearance but at the heart.  Military might, represented in the giant Goliath, means nothing if you fight for the Lord.  David, though anointed for the kingship, was willing to wait for God’s perfect timing and was unwilling to dishonor God’s anointed one.  David and Jonathan’s friendship presents a timeless picture of covenantal love.

David’s royal line would one day produce a Son to sin on an eternal throne.

 Our world judges on externals, by how we look on the outside.  God looks at the heart.  God also wants his people to resist judging on externals.

I. The Lord’s anointed 1 Samuel Samuel’s judgment based on sight Looked at the sons of Jesse Handsome and buff is not the requirement God looks at the heart David’s heart was perfectly aligned with God’s He was a man after God’s own heart Jesus was the perfect man-descendent of David

God saw David with the potential of a king. Psalm 78: He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. 72 With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. David was fully engaged in caring for his sheep David protected and rescued his sheep from a bear and a lion. David, most importantly, was a man after God’s own heart.

Others did not see David with the potential of a king. Jesse, David’s father, did not even summon David when Samuel came to anoint a new king. David’s older brother scolded David for leaving his sheep to come and watch the battle with the Philistines. King Saul viewed David as mere boy and not king material. Goliath called David “a stick” just before David killed him.

II. David and Goliath 1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 17:45–47 (ESV) 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

III. David and Jonathan 1 Samuel 18 Friendship was powerful and unique Exchange of weapons Jonathan gave his robe to David-sign of friendship Leaving a robe is an example of relinquishing a relationship

IV.David goes into “boot camp” to be trained as a king. David and Saul 1 Samuel 18, 24, Psalm 59 Saul is obsessed with David, and God is using his jealousy to train David. David is the Captain of the Army Women—Men sure to get messed up by women David’s innocence Saul, who is hostile to David, is God’s tool to train David in godly, kingly character. Valley of Engedi Corner of Saul’s robe is cut off David is again vindicated David is tired of running but will not hurt God’s anointed

Psalm 59:1–5 (ESV) Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; 2 deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, 4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see! 5 You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah After 14 years of training, David is ready to represent God and God’s character and he is inaugurated as king over Israel.

V. A Tragic End 1 Samuel 31, 2 Samuel 22 Saul dies in battle—Suicide David still protects Saul’s family

VI. Established as king Ark is still at edge of land David final brings the Ark to Jerusalem Worship of God Unashamed 2 Samuel 6 Dancing before the Lord Not concerned about others – focus on God David danced to an audience of one

VII. A House for the Lord 1 Chronicles 17 Desire to build a house for God-Temple You are a man of war You son will build a house for Me God said-“I will build your house.” David as king points to “the One” Who will come as the Messiah (Jesus). David and Jesus are of the same tribe and city. David was anointed with oil; Jesus was anointed with the Spirit. (“anointed one” is the same as “messiah”)

Other parallels to Jesus in The Story so far. Jesus is the Passover Lamb (Exodus) Jesus and Joshua mean the same: Savior Jesus is the ultimate “deliverer” (Judges) Jesus is the Redeemer (Ruth)

Upper Story/Lower Story Review the other stories we have covered that point to Jesus:  Jesus is the Passover Lamb (Exodus)  Jesus and Joshua mean the same: Savior  Jesus is the ultimate “deliverer” (Judges)  Jesus is the Redeemer (Ruth)

Application  God wants to use us like he did David. He wants to use us to point others to Jesus.  Don’t underestimate the younger folks in our congregation. Remember, David was only 16 years old when God first came to him.  God doesn’t choose us by our outward appearance, but he looks at our heart.  We need at least one Jonathan in our lives, who sees God’s good plan for us and believes in us.  If God is going to use us, it will certainly involve a season or two of testing and equipping.  We must keep pointing people to God no matter what season we’re in.  We all need just one person in our lives (a Jonathan) who will see us with great potential to be what God wants us to be.  Just as both David and Jesus were underestimated by others (judged on externals), so we can expect to be underestimated, too. We often underestimate ourselves.  Just as David and Jesus went through a season of testing, so God will test us as well so that we can develop character and integrity to represent God to our world.