“Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons” (1Sam 16:1:1). In Hebrew, the word ‘provide’ is ‘rai’. It means to see, to make it appear, to prophesy. It is part of the compound name of God: Jehovah Jireh. Abraham told Isaac: “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” (Gen 22:8). In the same way, Jehovah Jireh provides a king for Himself. We shall study God’s provision, King David, who is a symbol of King Jesus. Lesson: in God’s Kingdom, men’s choice as their leader or king is rejected by God. Only God chooses the King that can give Him the glory and help humanity! In the Church, all the true leaders are all called by God!

King Saul had great potential. He was tall and handsome. He looked like a king. That is why the people ‘voted’ for him. God agreed with their ‘democratic’ desires. But King Saul’s heart was not good. He openly disobeyed God. Internally, he was not fit to be a king before God and man. Samuel told King Saul: “you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel” (1Sam 15:26). Lesson: obedience to God’s Word is the way to success and greatness!  Surprisingly, God’s choice as king is a teenager, a shepherd, called David, the son of Jesse, from Bethlehem. God says: “I have provided Myself a king”. Samuel, now an old man, so bold in the past, is weeping for Saul, who was one of his disciples in the school of life. But Saul failed both God and Samuel. When God tells Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons, the prophet becomes afraid, that Saul might kill him. Lesson: Mourning for lost opportunities is natural, but it should only be for a short time. When mourning for man combines with fear of the same man, that leads to depression and cowardice and backsliding. It is worldly sorrow. It is sin. It blocks the anointing to ministry! Repent of it! Selah!

Samuel goes to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, to find and anoint the new king of Israel. Jesse has eight sons. He presents the first seven. They are all tall and good looking. Samuel was tempted to choose one of them. They reminded him of young king Saul. But God restrains him saying: “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1Sam 16:7). Like Samuel, we all tend to approve men based on their outward gifts. We tend to lean towards physical beauty, eloquent speakers, academic degrees, or social status. We choose charisma over character. This tendency to choose the visible gifts over the invisible spirituality is idolatry. It is rejecting God’s will. Lesson: in choosing our pastors, marriage partners or friends, we must seek God’s face and never be led by the lust of the eyes! Selah!  

God rejected all the seven sons of Jesse. Samuel asked if there was any other son. Slowly, Jesse admits that there is still the youngest, David, who is taking care of the sheep. He was not even informed about this ‘interview’. That is when Samuel told everyone: “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here” (1Sam 16:11). Spiritually, many people sit down! They have lost the vision of King Jesus in His Kingdom. They are depressed. Lesson: We are to stand to honor and expect the King to come! We are like the wise virgins! We cannot relax or sleep until we see the King of glory! “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed” (Rev 16:15). Selah!

David came into the room. Behold the King of Israel!!! David came straight from tending the flock; sweating, dressed in dirty clothes, smelling like sheep. He was excited as any teenager can be. “He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him” (1Sam16:12;NLT). God’s command to Samuel was clear: ‘This is the One!’ David looked healthy and physically fit. His beauty came from within, from a kind and humble spirit. David was the 8th son. Number 8 is the number of a new beginning. God’s choice as king for His people has entered the pages of history. Later, the same David said: “Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter” (Ps 24:9; NLT). Lesson: God allows the flesh to manifest and fail before He brings His choice. That is why Ishmael is born before Isaac; Esau is born before Jacob; Herod is born before Jesus! God’s ways are not our ways! Be patient!

King Saul was the first king. He was chosen by people. God approved their choice. Samuel anointed him with oil from a flask. King Saul was a tall handsome man, looking like a king. At the beginning he looked humble and zealous for God. But King Saul disobeyed God’s commands. God removed His Spirit and anointing from him. Lesson: in God’s Kingdom unrepentant rebellion is punished. Samuel anointed David with oil from an animal horn. This ceremony was held in the presence of his father and his brothers. Lesson: Both Saul and David were anointed with the same olive oil and by the same prophet Samuel. The difference was in the containers of oil. In the case of Saul, the oil was poured from a man-made flask (1 Sam10:1). But Samuel poured the oil on David from an animal’s horn (1Sam16:13). That speaks of sacrifice. The bull must be killed to remove the horn. Blood must shed for the oil to flow. This is a symbol of the Cross, strength coming out of death. We are called to be royal priesthood in God’s Kingdom by the power of the Cross! Oh, the Blood of Jesus!!!

Immediately the new king is anointed, the Holy Spirit leaves Saul and goes to David (1Sam16:13). “The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him” (1Sam16:14). Without God’s covering, an evil spirit appointed by God Himself, comes to trouble Saul’s mind. The word ‘distressing’ is also translated as evil, wicked, wild, depressive, ugly, or hurtful spirit. This demon ‘troubled’ Saul. The word means to attack, overwhelm, or terrorize with fear. This demon gave Saul panic attacks that drove him to become mad. His mental decline has started. He is still the king on the throne for some years, but he becomes erratic, paranoic and violent. He suspects everybody around him.

There is a mental health situation called ‘panic attack’. It is a sudden feeling of anxiety or fear when there is no danger around. It lasts about 10 minutes. It manifests as a sudden fear or death; the heartbeat increases; he sweats; feels hot or cold; feels nausea, like sick at the stomach; he feels chest pains. He feels dizzy, fainting, like he has a heart attack, or is going to die. The effect of this attack is that the patient starts to avoid crowded places and people. He becomes lonely. Medically, the patient is given psychotherapy and medication.  

His servants advised a cure: Music! A skillful musician who can play the harp to help Saul have some peace of mind. One of the servants recommends young David, who has just been anointed to be the new king in Israel.

David did not seek visibility. He did not really like fame. He was truly a humble man. Study him! After David was anointed as king, what did he do? He went back to take care of the sheep. He did not make noise about it. The anointing with oil as a king did not change his character. David’s ‘contract’ to be the King’s entertainer did not make him proud. When David did ministry in song Saul became refreshed and well. But David still did not become proud. Even after he killed Goliath, he remained humble. Lesson: God uses and blesses humble servants who give Him all the glory! David “served his own generation by the will of God” (Ac 13:36). May this be our portion too!

Listen to what Hannah, Samuel’s mother said: “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and He has set the world upon them. 9 He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. 10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king and exalt the horn of His anointed” (1 Sam 2:6-10). Lesson: God is not impressed by man’s outward appearance, titles or fashion sense. God is seeking for true worshippers with a servant’s attitude. God looks for men who want to love Him more than His gifts. Once God finds someone like that, He will anoint that one. David is not ugly. It is not wrong to be handsome, skillful, or talented. But for God, the top of His list in choosing His servants is a desire to know His heart and obey His voice. Lesson: the key to success in ministry and greatness in life is to be humble, faithful, to seek God’s Heart, God’s Kingdom and to be like Jesus!

It is interesting to note that no one in the Bible has the name of David except the greater Son of David, our Lord Jesus Christ. David was a visible example of God to others. People noticed that the Lord was with him. Godliness cannot be hidden. Light shines in the darkness!

King Saul is now rejected by God. He is still on the throne but without God’s covering and anointing. As the Holy Spirit left Saul, He went on young David. King Saul became king in his middle age. God did not train him to be king. But with David, God calls and anoints him as a young man. For many years, before David sits on the throne, God trains him in the wilderness. Lesson: if God calls you to serve Him, He will train you in the school of life! “Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor” (PV 18:12). King Saul is now attacked by a tormenting spirit. He needed someone who could play the harp well. Music helps him to have some peace. See how a servant introduces young David to King Saul: “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him” (1Sam16:18). David is a good example of a citizen, an ambassador, and a peacemaker in the Kingdom of God. Let us look at each of young David’s qualities:

*He was skillful in playing (the harp). As a shepherd, David lived a lonely life. His harp was his ‘friend’. He learned to play it very well. In some of his Psalms he wrote ‘To the Chief Musician’. It means that the psalms should be played by the master musician, by the music director, and not by the beginners in the art of making beautiful sounds. David’s fingers were sensitive to the touch of the strings. He was a poet and musician at heart. Lesson: we should improve the skill of making music as we worship God.

*He was a mighty man of valor. He had a good character. As a shepherd, he learned how to take care of his sheep. He was a responsible and courageous leader. He took the sheep to green pastures and still water. He treated their sicknesses. He looked for the lost sheep. The shepherd type of leader is the opposite of a proud tyrant. David has a servant’s heart. With humility and patience, he displays agape love towards the weak.

*He was a man of war. David learned how to fight and kill the enemies. He killed the bear and the lion that attacked his flock. It is strange to see that the same sensitive fingers that could play the harp were the ones that can kill the animals. Not long after this, he proved to be a true champion, and a man of faith, by killing the giant called Goliath who insulted Jehovah God!

*He was prudent in speech. This word means to be a good communicator especially when speaking in public. A godly eloquent person speaks clearly, passionately, directly, and moves his listeners. God’s Spirit gave David the gift of speech. He spoke wisely. He did not insult the people. He was respectful. When people heard Jesus speak, they said: “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (Jn 7:46).

*He was handsome. His beauty came mostly from within. It was the beauty of holiness.

*The Lord was with Him. This is the greatest quality in any man. God’s presence is the secret of all godly success in life. People observed that God guides David in his decisions and prospers him. David “was successful in all he did, because the LORD was with him” (1Sam 18:14; Good News Translation). The knowledge on how to host the Holy Spirit thru personal anointing, is the secret of all success in life and ministry. It was the same with Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Esther, the old prophets, Apostles Paul and John. Selah!

“And when He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king: of him He testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART [conforming to My will and purposes], who will do all My will” (Ac 13:22; AMP). King David was the opposite of King Saul who was proud and rebellious. A man after God’s heart is humble and obedient to God’s Word. In words and deeds, he honors and fears God. As a King and Priest, the believer chooses to die to his own will and does God’s Will. He hates idolatry. In his heart, he is a worshipper of God. David prepared to build the temple of God. As believers we love attending the local church and serve God there. When we sin, we quicky repent. God took pleasure in blessing David. Out of his lineage, the Lord Jesus Christ came to earth as a man. This is the greatest honor given to man on earth. May we be like David, people after God’s Heart! Amen!

FINALLY…

Studying the life of King Saul and the lack of fruits of repentance, we can safely say that he was not saved. God gave him a chance in life. He became the first king of Israel. He was handsome. People liked him and followed him. Though initially he looked humble, he was proud and stubborn in his heart. Two times he openly disobeyed God’s Word that came to him thru the man of God. He could not wait patiently for Prophet Samuel to offer the sacrifices. He was not ordained as a priest but took it upon himself to offer the sacrifices. He also disobeyed God’s command and refused to kill the Amalekites, according to God’s Word. God then removed His anointing from Saul. That is how he lost his mental health and peace. God sent an evil spirit to torment him. This evil spirit was God’s judgment because of his stubbornness, pride and disobedience. In His mercy, God sent His servant and ambassador, young man David. The sound of David’s harp would calm Saul’s mind, for a time. David’s music ministry was God’s gift of Kindness to Saul. He was to receive it with thanksgiving and repent of his sins. But Saul refused to repent.  “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds” (Rom 2:4-6). To the end of his life Saul rejected David and his music ministry. His daughter, Michal, David’s wife, also rejected David’s music ministry. King Saul died a miserable death and David took over his throne. Lesson: Fear God!

What are then the main qualities of a man (a woman) who is after God’s heart? Being inspired by David we say that such a person must first of all be born again and Spirit-filled. The election of David as King was by grace. God provided Himself with the king of His choice. This man must have total faith in God. He must Love God’s Word. He is grateful to God. He must be in harmony with God’s will. He must be a humble man, deeply sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Like David, when he sins, he truly repents, he gets up and stands again to follow God. He must be a God seeker and a God pleaser. May God help us to pay the price to please Him alone! Amen!

God says: I need someone who will serve Me in any place, no matter how humble. Even though he was anointed to be king, David takes care of his flock and plays the harp to a rejected king. David learned many things in the palace and in the wilderness. Lesson: Learn what you can, when you can, and where you can. God usually uses a man who is already serving Him in a little way. God rewards a man who is willing to wait in humility until God calls him to visibility. When Goliath was insulting the armies of the Living God, it means that he was insulting God! All the men of Israel, including King Saul were drawing back and shaking with fear. But David was angry because someone insults his God. This is a holy anger that produces faith, and boldness. God loves this kind of man. Fear of man is a snare to anointing and promotion. David defended God’s name, reputation and glory!!! David’s brothers mocked him too, but David was too angry to care about that. Even King Saul said ‘you are too young. You are not able to kill Goliath’. But David declared his total trust in God. He refused Saul’s armor and with a stone taken from the river, he killed the giant. He trusted in God alone. He defended God’s glory. He trusted in God’s power and faithfulness to defend him. Goliath had no chance against a man who trusts God! There are so many lessons to learn. Do you trust God to help you defend His glory? To defeat His enemies? To give God all the glory? Don’t you want to be like David, to feel like a young man again? Don’t you want to be a dreamer, a worshipper and a warrior? To sing to Jesus? To dance to Jesus? King Jesus, the greater Son of David, killed death and defeated the devil. May we never lose our wonder… Worship the Lord!