Series: David - A Man After God’s Own Heart:
Part 2: God Can Make A Nobody Into A Somebody
1. 1 Samuel 16:1-14 1 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. Consecrate yourselves 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 look 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 any of 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. 14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
2. Psalm 78: 70 He (God) also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
3. Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'
INTRO 1: A Man After God’s Own Heart: PT.2 God Can Make A Nobody Into A Somebody
Possible Topics: Give Us A King: The People’s Choice V/S The Almighty’s Choice, God Can Make A Nobody Into A Somebody, Etc.
INTRO 2: REVIEW FROM LAST WEEK
Illustration: Read Mark 17:4-5)
David Is Called "A Man After God’s Own Heart." More written about him than any character in the OT. Abraham 14 chapters, Joseph 13, Jacob 11, Moses 40. David - 66 chapters in the OT. 57 NT references. What draws me to him is he isn’t a polished personality but mere human who shares my struggles of spirit, soul & body. A man of glorious triumphs but also a man of great tragedies. He wrestles with success, discouragement, sexual temptation, parenting, abandonment, betrayal, etc.
WAS DAVID A REAL PERSON?
For A Long Time, Archaeologists, Skeptics, Unbelievers Told Us David Never Existed – That he was invented by the Jews. Now archaeologists have found his palace and writings from the time he conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites (2 Sam. 5). I walked through David’s palace now excavated and had time to stand on the palace top where he looked at Bathsheba bathing down below. We argue become we have not handled. We say there is no God because we not experienced. We say one cannot live a committed life because we have never committed to anything but ourselves. We say all Christians are the same because we have not experienced what it means to be sensitive to God. But ask someone who was saved by the power of God from gangs, drugs, etc. You will see a miracle. No one argues with a miracle (John 9 – Man Born Blind). David was real.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TWO KINGS: DAVID AND JESUS
1. Both Described As Coming Kings
2. Both Described As Crucified Kings
3. Both Described As Crowned Kings
4. Both Described As Conquering Kings
REVIEW FROM LAST WEEK
Look At Hannah (She And Elkanah No Child – Barren, Penninah), then baby Samuel (miracle child), then Eli (sons were Hopni & Phinehas slept with women at gate of temple - 1 Sam 2:18, “He is the Lord, let him do…” / In 1 Sam 3: Ark taken and Eli’s sons died, he hears news and gets heart attack, falls and breaks his neck, fat, daughter in law pregnant, gives birth and dies, child is Ichabod), then Samuel (a righteous man – 1 Sam. 12 - but sons. Abiah Joel, took bribes and perverted judgment - sons of Belial). The Jews Were Tired With Judges. In 1 Sam. 7 they tell Samuel he is old, his sons are evil and they want a king. He warns them of the kings but they do not listen. Samuel is worried and tells God but God tells him they it is He they had rejected and not Samuel. In 1 Sam. 9-10, Saul is selected and anointed to meet the people’s requirement.
A LOOK AT SAUL FROM LAST WEEK
Saul Starts Off Well: Filled with the Holy Ghost, humble, able to rally the people, defeats Israel’s enemies, etc. But he becomes arrogant, paranoid, envious, stubborn. List Of His Weaknesses / Failures: Saul’s Presumptuous Sacrifice At Gilgal (1 Sam 13) / Saul Took Credit For Jonathan’s Victory Against Philistines / Saul Makes Rash Vow Not To Eat During Battle / Saul Began To Resent, feel insecure, Envy & Fear David / He Has A Wounded Pride, Violent Temper, Envious Feeling & Spirit Of Murder / He Was Influenced By Public Opinion / He would kill Samuel if he heard of David’s Anointing / Erecting Monuments For Himself / Attacks David With Javelin / Tries To Kill Jonathan With Javelin / Saul Commands His Men To Commit Murder by killing David – Kills 85 Priests & Kills People Of Nob & Cattle / Consulted Witch At Endor / Saul & 3 Sons Died In Battle With The Philistines - Stubbornness / Saul’s Suicide / No Skeletons in the Closet – Too Perfect, etc.
WHEN IS SAUL REJECTED & WHEN IS DAVID FIRST MENTIONED?
1 Samuel 13:11-1411 “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” 13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out A MAN after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” Who Promotes? Psalm 75:6-7 6 For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the desert comes exaltation; 7 But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another.… Saul’s Cycle Of Disobedience Continues: 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.” 26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!” 27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors - to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.” 30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord. 34 Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
GOD IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE STAND IN THE GAP FOR MEN.
While He Is God By Himself, He will never move on earth unless he moves through a man.
1. Ezekiel 22:29 30 I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.
2. Psalm 106:23 So he said he would destroy them - had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.
3. Jeremiah 5:1 Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.
IN THE BIBLE, GOD SELECTS PEOPLE WE WOULD DISQUALIFY.
Moses Stuttered. Jacob Liar & Conniver. Timothy had ulcers. Abraham too old. Naomi a widow. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was prejudiced and a gossip. Thomas doubted. Paul a diminutive. Martha a worry rat. Peter was rash. Rahab a prostitute. Joseph a spy among his brethren. Moses a murderer with a speech impediment. Jeremiah a tenderhearted youth. Mary a poor girl. The 3 closest to Jesus (Peter, James, and John) were all fishermen. These were not the kind of people we would have expected God to pick for His purposes. But He did. That God will get the glory. Such were us.
PREREQUISITES FOR SAUL THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE.
1. God’s Choice Is Not According To Physical Stature. Saul chosen on the basis of looks.
2. God Is Not Looking For Muscularity. David’s brothers had muscles – army guys.
3. God’s Choice Is Not According To Positional Status. David was young.
4. God’s Choice Is Not According To Popular Opinions.
5. God Is Not Looking For Hard-Headed, Hard Hearted People.
6. God Is Not Just Looking For Handsome Men Or Beautiful Females.
7. God Is Not Looking For Experience, Academics, Connections, Eloquence.
WHAT DOES GOD LOOK FOR IN A MAN OR WOMAN?
1 Samuel 16:1-14 1 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.” (Rebuke). 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” (Fear). 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. (True). When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” (National Insecurity). 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. (Personal & Corporate Preparation) 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 look 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 any of these.” (Good For Something Else, Not This). 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.” (That’s it). 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. 14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
God Knew What Samuel Or Others Did Not See. Eliab, Abinadab and Shammah were belittling and petite in their thoughts. In 2 Samuel 17: They mocked and derailed David. They were in the military and well built. David was keeping sheep. Moses thought the same about Aaron as leader.
1. David Possessed The Heart Of A Servant. Psalm 89:20 "I have found my servant David; I appointed him by pouring holy oil on him." David - my servant. Servanthood is humility in practice. To be a servant means to perform menial tasks. To be a servant is to not care who gets the credit. To be a servant you have just one goal: the success of your superior. Mark 9:35 "Anyone wanting to be the greatest must be the least - the servant of all!"
2. David Possessed A Heart Of Integrity. Psalm 78:70 "He chose David his servant, from tending the sheep… he brought him to be the shepherd of his people. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart." Integrity is what you are when no one else is looking. Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. Your gift may bring you before great men, but it is character that enables you to stay there. Joseph’s gift brought him before pharaoh, but his character made him prime minister of Egypt. Greatness is not a one-time event: David killed the giant and we think that was when he became great. No. Greatness is doing every little thing in a great way. True greatness is not seen in the big things we do, but in the little things we do in a great way. A crown doesn’t make a man a king, it only identifies the king in the man.
3. God Chose David Because He Was Ready (V.11-12). When Jesse and David’s brothers are brought in before Samuel, they are “sanctified,” v. 5 - their sins are dealt with and they are made ready for worship. When David is brought, there is no sanctification - he is ready nonetheless!
4. God Chose David Because He Was Reliable (V.11). When God calls David, He finds him faithfully doing what he has been told to do - keeping sheep. He is doing a dirty, lonely job; but he does it because it is what he has been assigned to do. After he is anointed, he goes back to his flock, v. 19. Why? Because that is what he does! Even after he is called to Jerusalem to play for King Saul, v. 23, he returned to keep his father’s sheep, 17:15. Why? Because David is faithful.
5. God Chooses Those Who Are Redeemed (v.13). When Samuel anointed David and perhaps whispered God’s plan in his ear; this was not David’s first encounter with God. He had seen the power of God written in the heavens (Psalm 19). He had witnessed God’s tender care for His people in his own relationship to his flocks (Psalm 23). He might have walked onto the public stage in 1 Sam 16, but David had been walking with God for some time (1 Sam. 17). God calls & chooses His vessels from among His redeemed ones.
6. David Respected The Covenant. Had True, Genuine Faith: 1 Samuel 17: For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? Who can forget young David’s words to Saul as he prepared to go face Goliath, he said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came out and took a lamb out the flock, I went out after it… And when it rose against me, I caught it by its beard and struck and killed it.’ ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ Have that faith to meet Satan on his own ground today.
7. David Had A Truly Grateful Heart: In Psalm 30 David said, ‘I will give thanks unto thee forever’. David was grateful to God for all He had done in His life. He never let it go to his head.
8. David Had A Truthful Nature Of Repentance Whenever He Sinned & Was Confronted: When David sinned he admitted his sin to God. David knew what kind of person could walk with God - a person who walked uprightly and spoke the truth in his heart.
9. David Had A Transparent Life: Psalm 26:2 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. David even prayed that God would examine his life. Would you and I be so quick to pray that God would examine our lives. But our lives already are anyway.
10. David Was Also Cunning In Playing: He had a talent or an ability to play this instrument and he developed it. Develop your talents. Everyone has been given certain talents and abilities that others don’t have. Maybe it is woodworking or singing. Maybe it is writing or typing. Maybe it is painting or cleaning. Practice and use it for the glory of God!
11. David Was Courageous And Brave. Don’t be scared to be available to God. God is looking for those who will be brave and courageous.
12. David Was Prudent In Matters: He had good judgment and was ready to learn. Some God will never use because we know too much. God can’t teach a know-it-all, and He can’t effectively use one. Be ready to listen and learn and grow and change your mind.
13. David Was A Comely Person: David was fine looking and took good care of himself. Now everyone has not been blessed with good looks, but everyone can take pride in his or her appearance. You can do the best you can with what you’ve got. Don’t be a slob. Be clean and act like you care about the body you’ve been given. Keep the little you have clean.
14. David Possessed A Heart Of Dependence On God. I want you to notice the comparison of Saul’s heart to David’s. Psalm 62:6-8 God alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
15. David Also Had A Heart Of Obedience For God. Psalm 40:8 "I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart." Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." David’s desire was to be obedient. Unlike Saul who tried to whitewash his sin David was crushed over his sins (Psalm 51).
16. The Lord Was With David. He Was Anointed With The Holy Spirit. How did Saul’s servants know that God was with David? Can people tell the Lord is with you? There was readiness in his heart for the Holy Spirit. God is looking for some young David’s and Joshua’s to anoint with his Holy Spirit. David was youngest of 8 = the # of new beginnings. God wants to do something fresh. Let’s be like David and give God something to anoint. There are some lions and bears that need to be slain in this hour, and You are God’s choice for the job.
GOD’S PROMOTION PROCESS AS SEEN IN THIS PASSAGE
Paul’s Qualifications For Spiritual Leadership (1 Timothy 3:2-7)
1. Social Qualification: Within The Church, He Should Be Above Reproach. Outside Of The Church, are you respected? Outsiders Will Criticize, but are they right? His Life Should Command The Respect Of Unbelievers, Inspire Their Confidence, And Arouse Their Aspiration.
2. Moral Qualifications: He Should Be A Man Of Good Morals. Nonalcoholic, One Partner.
3. Mental Qualifications: Wise And Of Sound Judgment. He Must Be Respectable And Live An Ordered Life. Must Be Ready To Teach And Learn.
4. Personality Qualifications: Must Be Able To Control His Emotions; Hospitable, Not Greedy.
5. Domestic Qualifications: Must Manage His House Well.
6. Emotional Qualification: Must be mature. Should Not Be A Novice.
SOME SPECIFICS OF LEADERSHIP FROM 1 TIMOTHY 3:8-10
Paul’s 1st letter to Timothy gives Attributes of the leader: Humor, Anger, Patience, Friendship, Tact & Diplomacy, Inspirational Power, Executive Ability, Listening, Communication In Writing, Time Conscious, Reads, Delegates, Reproduces And Replaces Leaders (2 Timothy 2:2).
MARK 10:38 GIVES INDICATIONS OF WHAT IT COSTS TO BE A LEADER
Self-Sacrifice, Loneliness, Fatigue Criticism, Rejection, Pressure And Perplexity.
TEST OF LEADERSHIP PER MATTHEW 4:1
Compromise, Ambition, Jealousy, Envy, Failure & Success, Pride, Popularity, Infallibility, Indispensable, Joy & Sadness.
CONCLUSION: IN SUMMARY, THERE ARE 3 QUALITIES THAT GOD LOOKS FOR:
1. Spirituality: 1 Samuel 13:14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” When God says go, he goes. When God says stop, you stop. You are sensitive to God. Not is your church, mate, friend, but are you? 2 Chron 16:9 The Lord is looking for people whose hearts are his. They acknowledge wrong, correct it and move on.
2. Humility: 1 Samuel 16:1 We have the tendency to choose people who look like Saul and mourn for them as if God has no replacements. Psalm 89:19-20: 20 I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him. 21 My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him. 22 The enemy will not get the better of him; the wicked will not oppress him. 23 I will crush his foes before him and strike down his adversaries. 24 My faithful love will be with him, and through my name his horn will be exalted. If you have a servant’s heart, you want to serve God and others. Psalm 78:70 70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; 71 from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. 72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. God does not care about looks, age, background, possessions, affluence, etc. A servant serves, obeys, does not care who gets the glory. Shepherding pregnant sheep humbled David.
3. Integrity: Psalm 78:70-72 David fed the sheep according to the integrity of his heart. This is what you do when no one is looking. It means that the person is upright before God and more concerned with pleasing God when carrying out assignment than men. You are not eye-pleaser.
CONCLUSION: THE LAST ONE PICKED WAS GREAT
A. God’s Not Interested So Much In Your Sacrifices, But Rather Your Obedience First:
1. Sacrificing Our Time To The Community Doesn’t Impress God. Give yourself first.
2. Giving Our Finances To Every Cause Requested Doesn’t Impress God. Give yourself first.
3. Working Ourselves Sick To Help Others Doesn’t Impress God. Give yourself first.
4. Visiting The Hospitals, Retirement Homes & The Jails Doesn’t Impress God! Give yourself first.
B. Consider What David, “The Last One Picked,” Accomplished:
1. He Killed Goliath – Saul Ran From The Giant.
2. He Wanted To Marry Saul’s Daughter – Go Kill 100 Philistines - Brought 200 Slain Instead.
3. He Made Jerusalem The Capital. Moved The Ark There; It Became The City Of Worship.
4. He Became King And Defeated The Amalekites, Philistines, Moabites, Syrians.
5. He Increased The Boundaries Of Israel From 6,000 Sq. Miles To 60,000 Sq. Miles.
6. He Solidified The Economic, Political, Religious, Military, Entertainment, Aspects Of Israel.
CLOSING PRAYER: HOW MANY WANT TO SERVE? Not you but God will do it thru you.
Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ 11 From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. It is not about you, but God. He will do it thru you.
