Chapter Eleven

The week of April 1


From Shepherd to King

Israel had gone from Moses, a strong leader but not a king…to Joshua, a general but not a king…to the various regional judges, definitely not kings…to Saul, a not so godly king. As the prophet Samuel assessed the situation he heard God telling him to anoint another king. So, there were dueling possibilities to the kingdom God is forming: one was a man a head taller than all others, the other was a young boy with a ruddy complexion, who had a heart after God.

P145 When the Lord told Samuel that "People look at outward appearances but God looks at the heart", did this mean that Samuel originally had chosen the wrong king when he had chosen Saul?

P146 How might David's seven older brothers felt about his being anointed king, while they were not chosen? Here is another situation of a younger brother being chosen over the older ones. God sees a boy-man with His own heart and chooses him to grow into the position of King of Israel.

P147-50 Talk about a tall man. Goliath was head and shoulders over Saul and all of the men of Israel. But David was offended by Goliath's boast and said a pagan should not be allowed to defy God's army (King Saul & the other men were dismayed and terrified, p 147). David's brother was derisive and thought David was conceited to come watch the battle. Saul allowed David to be a sacrificial lamb for slaughter and gave him his own armor. But David chose his own armament, the slingshot he had used to protect his flock. David was verbally derided by Goliath but David need only one stone to fell the Philistine. He had come in the name of the Lord Almighty and realized the battle was the Lord's. David's valor empowered Israel and dispirited the Philistines. How has God stepped into your life to give you success beyond your own strength or gifting?

P150-1 David was now a rock star. Saul became 'insanely' jealous that David was more popular than Saul. And Saul's son Jonathan formed a friendship bond with David that would also irritate Saul. All of Israel applauded David. How do we respond when a young upstart in our expertise gets more attention than we do?

P152 The context of Psalm 59 is that David is relentlessly being pursued by King Saul. David relies on God for his strength and refuge. He spends more time calling on God than developing battle plans. Why is it good to have a leader who is transparent about his struggles and his need for God? Why do most people see this as weakness?

P153 Though Saul pursued David with five times as many men, David still got the upper hand. On two occasions he snuck up next to Saul yet did not take his life. David would not "lift his hand against the Lord's anointed". Why was this important that David would wait for God's timing for when he was to become king? David would not become king until age thirty; it was a long wait.

P155-6 David lived with the very Philistines he fought against by feigning mental illness. Eventually, Saul along with three of his sons including Jonathan, were killed by the Philistines. David moved through his grief and ultimately consolidated the kingly throne of the twelve tribes. Why can waiting on God bring both tribulation and triumph?

P157-60 In David's zeal to please God he desired to build a house for Him. But God does not dwell in houses made by men; He owns and lives in all creation. This task would be left to a future son. David would need patience during his forty-year reign. Has God shown you something that will not be accomplished in your lifetime? How do you wait?