Havasu Christian Church
Series in I Samuel
July 28, 2024
1 Samuel 16:1–23
David, the “dog robber.”
INTRO: There’s a lot going on in today’s text. Saul has been rejected by God as King. He’s not going to be replaced anytime soon, but his kingship will not pass on to any of his sons.
A successor will be chosen, but Samuel is grieving over Saul. After all, Saul did do SOME things right.
Samuel had anointed him and was sad that he was in trouble with the Lord.
1 Samuel 16:1–23 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
3 “You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you.”
4 So Samuel did what the LORD said, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?”
5 He said, “In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before Him.”
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
9 Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. 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 brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.
15 Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.
16 “Let our lord now command your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.”
17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me.”
18 Then one of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.”
19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David who is with the flock.”
20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by David his son.
21 Then David came to Saul and attended him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer.
22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”
23 So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.
- Saul knows he’s on his way out and he isn’t happy about it.
- Samuel knows this too. He also knows that if he publicly anoints someone else to be King that Saul will most likely kill him.
- But what God wants must come first.
- Samuel follows the Lord’s instructions.
- He goes to Bethlehem.
- The elders of the city are worried.
- “Do you come in peace?”
- After all, hacking people to pieces IS something that Samuel has been known to do.
- They are concerned that they are in trouble.
- Samuel doesn’t get around much anymore because of his age.
- Maybe we did something wrong???
- Samuel invites the Elders of the city to the sacrifice/feast.
- He also invites the men of Jesse’s family.
- Looks can be deceiving.
- At least one of Jesse’s sons is tall and handsome.
- Eliab LOOKS like “king material” to Samuel.
- Maybe his name is part of it, since he shares much of it with Samuel’s mentor, Eli.
- Eli – God is exalted.
- Eliab – God is Father
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
- Samuel meets 7 sons, and God says “no” to all of them.
- “Is anyone missing?” “Well, now that you mention it…..”
- David is brought in from the field.
- He’s been watching over the family sheep.
- He’s “Ruddy.”
- Healthy, maybe a bit of red in his tan from being out in the sun so much.
- We might say he had a “healthy glow.”
- He has beautiful eyes, and he’s handsome.
- This is a bonus!
- Good heart should trump good looks every time!
- God tells Samuel, “This is the one!”
- David is anointed the next king!
- Saul is NOT informed!
- David’s brothers are all there to witness the event.
- Do they know what Samuel is anointing him for? Maybe… maybe not.
- Are they supportive or jealous?
- God’s Spirit “comes upon” David.
- The Spirit comes on him “mightily!”
- The Spirit comes on him from then on.
- Perhaps this is when he begins to write Psalms?
- Perhaps this is why he can defeat a lion and a bear that attack his flock!
- God’s Spirit leaves Saul, never to return!!
- In the Spirit’s place, an evil spirit comes.
- God sends it.
- This seems problematic.
- God used many evil kings and nations to punish Israel.
- Jesus ordered demons around throughout His earthly Ministry.
- God could certainly send a demon to Saul as punishment.
- God puts David in the perfect places to learn how to be a king.
- We find David the field as a shepherd.
- He cared for his sheep.
- He learned patience.
- He learned to put his flock ahead of his own comfort.
- He was willing to put his life on the line to protect his flock.
- We see David later recount fighting a lion.
- We see David also recount fighting a bear.
- We don’t know how long this continues before David’s situation changes.
- By now he has become well known.
I Samuel 16:15-18 Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you. “Let our lord now command your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.” So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me.” Then one of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.”
- David is sent for.
- His virtues have been noticed.
- Skillful musician.
- A man of valor.
- A warrior.
- Maybe the guy talking had seen the lion and bear skins tacked up on the barn door?
- Prudent in speech.
- He’s handsome.
- Last but not least, the Lord is with him!
- Not only does David provide musical comfort for the king, but he becomes his armor bearer as well.
- He becomes a trusted aid and confidant of Saul.
In some circles of the U.S. military, an aide-de-camp is known as a dog-robber, because the aide is expected to rob anyone including the family dog, to get his general what he wants.
- Saul may have sent for David, but it was a part of God’s plan.
- David is in the palace.
- He meets people
- He sees how government works (or doesn’t)
- He learns from Saul’s successes.
- He learns from Saul’s mistakes.
- God uses this time to continue David’s preparation so he can be a capable king.
Conclusion: What is there to learn and apply to my life in today’s text?
- It’s always wise and right to do what God wants us to do.
- Even when it may get us in trouble!
- God knows what’s going on. We need to give Him our trust!
- In EVERY situation!
- Even if God doesn’t “bail us out” He is there with us.
- Even if the worst happens and we are killed, God is waiting on the other side of Death!
- Looks can be, and often are, deceiving!
- “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Martin Luther King Jr.
- This is not just a platitude from a dead man, it is also scriptural!
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
- Be the man or woman that God wants you to be.
- David is already living the way God wants him to live.
“Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.”
- David does his best at whatever he is called to do.
- He’s a musician.
- He’s brave.
- He’s a warrior.
- He speaks in a prudent way.
- He is living a Godly life!
- David accepts the challenges and opportunities that are placed before Him!
- Whether in the field with the sheep…
- Or in the palace with the king.
- David is doing his best;
- To Learn
- To Serve
- To be ready to do even more when called upon.
- David had the Spirit “upon him.” We have the Holy Spirit who LIVES IN US!
- He’s not external, He’s internal!
- Studying about David, should point us toward his descendant… JESUS!
- David was a Shepherd. Jesus is “the good shepherd who gives up His life for His sheep.”
- David was a “man after God’s own heart. Jesus lived His earthly life in a way that ALWAYS glorified The Father.
