God wanted to be the people’s King. He told them that wanting to be like the other nations in this was a bad idea.
“The LORD will bring you and your king, whom you set over you, to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods, wood and stone.” – Deuteronomy 28:36
“Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” – 1 Samuel 8:18
The people chose Saul because he was tall, mighty, and a sure match for the kings of the nations around them. Despite God’s dissent over Israel having a king (because of all the predictable pitfalls), God makes His choice. And David the shepherd-boy never looks back. He learned courage while watching his father’s flocks. These experiences propelled him in the face of a truly formidable adversary. When 10 foot tall Goliath taunted Israel, ALL the other soldiers hid in the rocks.
But not the shepherd-psalmist of Israel. Only one of five smooth stones was needed to take down this lion and bear of a man. David’s heart training came through – and the giant came tumbling down. Only a young man who had killed the lion and the bear could vanquish and take the head of the monstrous Philistine. Only a youth named David. Only a heart inspired by courage from God Himself.
“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” – 1 Samuel 17:36
Enjoy, warrior reader!
Leave a Reply