1 Samuel 16:18

New International Version (NIV)

One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”

For Meditation

What a time in a young man’s life! Disregarded by his father for the special dinner with the Prophet Samuel, he was rushed out of the sheepfold and anointed heir to the throne of Israel (1 Sam. 16:11-13). Shortly after, another call came. The reigning king was spiritually tormented and David’s special skill on the lyre was urgently needed (16-17). So, into the bedroom of King Saul, David was rushed (21). Twice sought after; twice connected – divinely!

1. So, what made David special? The youngest of his brothers, what marked him out for that divine call (11)? What qualified him for that unique call into the king’s service (22)?
2. Is it not what God seeks in every soul – a yielded heart (13:14)? For how could the Almighty pass up a person whose heart is inclined towards absolute obedience (15:22), and practiced skill (16:18)?
3. Wasn’t David’s heart tried in the opened fields of Bethlehem with his father’s sheep? Probably between ages twelve and fifteen, if David could be trusted with his father’s treasured possession – “those few sheep”, as Eliab called them – does it not reveal his special heart and dedication to the flock (Ps. 23)?
4. Obediently tending the sheep while the family dined with Samuel; does it not reveal the heart of a selfless young man who loved the sheep and cared for them? How could such a heart not be swept away by God’s glory in creation (Ps. 19:1-6)? How could David not enjoy time alone with God in the open field, singing with musical accompaniment? How could such a man not learn to trust God with all his heart?
5. Do you see how God trains people for His special appointments? Is there any wonder why David was picked for the kingship of Israel? And do you see the reason for his divine connection to King Saul – to continue with his training for royal appointment?

I pray we learn to yield our hearts to God as David did, and to take every opportunity God brings our way as training for His future appointment.

So: May our Lord Jesus, “the great Shepherd of the sheep”, train our hearts for His service, and “equip [us] with everything good for doing His will” (Heb. 13:20); and may His divine connections follow us everywhere we go for the Father’s glory, amen!

Shalom