CWFI Devotional Guide: I Samuel 16 David's Appointment

A. The LORD says to Samuel, "Stop feeling sorry for Saul. I have rejected him as King of Israel."

B. "I have chosen one of the sons of Jesse to be king. Fill your container with olive oil."

C. "Go to Jesse he lives in Bethlehem."

D. Take a calf pretend you're offering a sacrifice and that's the reason you came and invite Jesse to the sacrifice. For I will show you the one to anoint." (Note: Samuel was concerned about Saul finding out the anointing appointment. He was concerned about Saul's anger possible death from the hand of Saul. He stood reasoning with the LORD who knows all things. Never the less to seek assurance for the journey Samuel sought assurance from the LORD.

E. Samuel obeyed God, arrived in Bethlehem and was respected. Samuel invited Jesse and sons' to the sacrifice feast and ordered consecration.

F. When Jesse's' family arrived, Samuel assumed when he saw Eliab that the LORD chose him. The LORD rejected Samuel's assumption of height and beauty. The LORD doesn't view or decide appointments or anointing on persons based on the outside appearance and man's estimates. The LORD looks on the heart and not the physique of the person.

G. Jesse called called Abinadab, Shammah, and until seven sons' passed before Samuel and said, "None of these have the LORD chosen." Samuel asked, "Are all these the sons' you have?"

H. Jesse answered, "I have a youngest son in the field minding the sheep." Samuel says, "Send for him; we will not sit to eat until he arrives."

I. The youngest son arrives and he is handsome, tanned and well physiqued. The Lord spoke to Samuel, "Anoint him, this is the one." (Note: David is the eighth son of Jesse: the last shall be first and the first last. The past shall serve the present.)

J. Samuel takes the container of olive oil and pours it over the youngest son of Jesse in front of his brothers. From that instant the Spirit of the LORD was upon David. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. (Note: After the anointing is received by David, then was his name revealed. David was known as the Shepherd Boy until the calling of the LORD came upon his life, for he was now gifted to lead and appoint leaders.)

K. The Spirit of the LORD departed Saul the King and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. (Note: When you are called of God, but depart from the calling by disobedience, an evil spirit can easily disturb the unstable individual. For it's not hard, but easily done.)

L. Saul's servants noticed Saul's mood that it was an evil spirit and they convinced him, that if someone with a talent for the harp would tune the evil spirit away. (Note: There are some superstitions that entertain the thought that soothing music would calm the nerves. The thought of instrumental music would drive out the bad spirit. I believe the servants wanted to introduce David to King Saul sooner than expected. For David wasn't known until his anointing by Samuel. David probably learned the harp tending soothing music to the lambs he protected. Also: having the ability to make a harp and skilled to play one is a gift all by itself. For your gift will make room for you and will bring you before great and mighty men. With a talent for playing instrumental music is nearly worshiped today by all ages around the world.) (Note: Sheep boy versus instrumental music entertainer David was bound with success anyway. Making a harp and playing a harp is a mighty talent.)

M. The suggestion of a harp player with the skill to deliver an evil spirit that comes and goes is talent. One of Saul's servants said, "Jesse of Bethlehem has a son who skilfully plays the harp is smart, brave, courageous, speaks eloquently, is a good looking young man, and the Spirit of the LORD is upon him." (Note: David was already famous by his looks, speeches, and talent. But was in the field with the sheep unto his appointed time for the anointing and his appointment.)

N. Saul sends messengers to Jesse of Bethlehem saying, "Send me your son, the shepherd boy David." Jesse loaded a donkey with bread, a leather bag of wine, and a baby goat with David to Saul.

O. As soon as David arrived to Saul, David served him. Saul liked David and made him an armor-bearer for Saul. Saul sent message to Jesse that he wanted to keep David and have him serve him. Saul enjoyed having David around. (Note: David was sent to play the harp and ended up as an right hand assistant to the king. David carried Saul's armor and played the harp so the evil spirit that troubled Saul would depart. This spirit that troubled Saul would depart. This spirit was an oppression spirit. Saul would worry without the anointing of the LORD on his life. Would victory be promised to Israel in case of a battle?)

Next lesson will be I Samuel 17 David and Goliath