Meet David… Saint or Sinner?
Mrs Karen Brown
February 12, 2017
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1 Samuel 16
Samuel Anoints David
16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrateyourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
David: A shepherd yet a giant killer. A shepherd but a mighty king. A musician and poet yet a soldier. A king yet a murderer. A married man but, an adulterer. A friend of God, yet a liar.
An ancestor of Jesus Christ. A man described by God as “a man who will obey”.
What do you say he is, saint, sinner, or?
David is anointed King: ‘The Lord said to Samuel, “Now take a horn of olive oil and go to Bethlehem and find a man named Jesse, for I have selected one of his sons to be the new King”.
Jesse’s youngest son was tending the sheep, Samuel asked that Jesse send for him.
‘Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” So, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came on David in power.” (NIV 1 Samuel 16: 2,13)
David is described as one of the greatest characters in the Old Testament. He is remembered and respected for his Godliness but at the same time the Bible makes no effort to hide David’s shortcomings, indeed they were part of who David was. He played out the journey of life with zest, getting it wrong so often but was always quick to ask God’s forgiveness. David had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and forgiving nature of God and never took God’s forgiveness lightly or his blessing for granted.
Perhaps that’s why the Psalms David wrote are so true to the journey of life, so full of the joys and sorrows trials and triumphs which any one of us can experience at any time. David, saint and sinner but most importantly God’s anointed! “A man who will obey”
Lord, in the fullness of joy may we give thanks.
In our thankfulness, may we open our hearts to receive you.
As we receive you hold us gently in your care so that when things are hard we’ll still know your presence.
Like David may we always know that you are indeed our God and Father.
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