## Life of David - Part 1

## I Samuel 13:13-14

Read I Sa. 13:13-14; 16:1; Psalm 78:70-72

Introduction: Such a description as 'a man after God's own heart' can only refer to one man in Scripture: David. We see him so many different ways in the Bible: as the youngest son of Jesse, the youthful shepherd of Bethlehem, the giant killer, composer of psalms, Saul's personal musician Jonathan's closest friend, a hunted fugitive, a king of Israel, father of Solomon. Unlike characters, such as Enoch or Melchizedek who, although important, we know very little about, we see David's life in such vast detail that we seem to almost know him personally. This was God's choice servant, but we must observe, some contrasts in his life. He was a man of glorious triumph ' h, yet great tragedy found its way into his life. He was uniquely gifted, but there can be no doubt to the fact that he was human lie was strong in battle, but weak at home. To begin our study of the life of David we must go back in time to when David was a nobody that nobody noticed.

I. Man panics ... God provides. (I Sam. 16:1?3)

A. Failure of Saul

1. This king with so much potential failed both God and his people.

2. His true characteristics had surfaced, and the nation was in worse shape than before he assumed the throne.

3. Samuel had to announce to Saul that God had rejected, him and that the kingdom had been torn from him to be given unto a neighbor.

4. National panic set in; they thought To king meant no protection.

5. They were sure that defeat was inevitable. note their thinking cf. 1 Sam. 8:19?22

B. Facts that were forgotten

1. When a man of God fails, nothing of God fails.

2. When a man of God changes, nothing of God changes.

C. Fear of Samuel

1. God said, 'How long wilt thou mourn over Saul'

2. Just as the people panicked so did tie prophet.

3. As God informed Samuel of the task of anointing a new king, Samuel feared Saul.

4. Note: No one had reason to fear, because God was still at work.

a. While Saul was failing, God was searching for a man after His own heart.

b. God had provided the need; He was still in control.

II. Man Chooses?God. Corrects. (I Sam. 16:4?10

A. Samuel went to Bethlehem to anoint the next king.

1. Assuring them that his visit was 'in peace', he called together Jesse and his sons.

2. Samuel was there to scout out God's chosen man.

3. This was a new process for Samuel, the only time he had anointed a king was when he did. Saul.

4. Keep in mind that Saul was man's choice. Notice his qualifications: I Sam. 9 1?2

B. Samuel was looking for a man with similar qualities.

1. When he saw Eliab he was sure that this must be God's chosen replacement.

2. God had to correct Samuels thinking

3. When Samuel began considering the sons in the light of God's criteria, he had to reject seven of Jesse's sons.

4. God told him not to look for the most handsome or the tallest or the most impressive appearance.

5. God looks upon the heart, while men look upon the outward appearance.

III. Man Forgets.. God Remembers. (I Sam. 16:11?13)

A. Jesse was guilty of wrong thinking also.

1. Samuel could have been left with the impression that Jesse had only seven sons.

2. Jesse did not even consider the possibility that God could use his youngest son, David.

3. Samuel knew that God had sent him there to anoint a new king.

4. He was quite sure he would come from the house of Jesse.

5. So it was quite natural for Samuel to ask if there were any more sons.

B. Notice Jesse's description of David.

1. We might wonder why David did not com? to the sacrifice with the rest of the sons.

2. Jesse reveals in his reaction to Samuel what may be the reason.

3. Jesse said, "He's the youngest, just a little shepherd boy."

4. He obviously did not possess the same qualities that his other seven brothers had.

5. Samuel wouldn't accept any excuses, he? told them to fetch him, because his mission would not be accomplished. until he had seen all the sons and anointed one as the new king of Israel.

C. Notice God's description of David.

1. He was ruddy, that means. his complexion was dark and beautiful,

2. He was of a beautiful countenance and goodly to look to.

3. How often we overlook the beauty in someone or something because on the outside it seems to be insignificant.

4. Notice God's declaration:

a. Arise, anoint him: for this is he

b. He did not leave the choice up to Samuel or to Jesse.

c. He chose that which was insignificant to man.

D. Notice David's Anointing

1. Samuel took the oil and anointed him in the midst of his brethren.

2. No private service for David, he was clearly God's choice over and above the other sons.

3. The fact that he was God's choice is seen by the presence of the Spirit of the Lord

4. "The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward "

5. David was not at this time brought to the throne of Israel.

a. He was anointed, for future service.

b. He would not come to the throne until he was about 30 years old.

c. In the mean time he returned to the fields and remained faithful to his insignificant job as a shepherd.

Conclusion: There were three qualities in the life of David that made him the choice of God. Those same three qualities axe still desirous to God in His savants. They are

1) Spirituality: David's life was in complete harmony with what the Lord desires, he was a man after God's own heart.

2) Humility: Servants are successful only because they can graciously accept lower rank and set aside self-dependence.

3) Integrity: cf. Psalm 78:70-72.

David's heart and mind were wholly innocent and unimpaired. God could no longer trust Saul for he had. Been disobedient. God is looking for those same qualities in each of our lives, How often we overlook the beauty in someone or something because on the outside it seems to be insignificant.