1 Samuel 16 1-13 A NOBODY, NOBODY NOTICED
Intro: The year 1020 BC . King Saul Rejected 15 v 23, For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 15 v 26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
That year, was special because while everyone was watching Saul's reign sink, in a secluded field in Bethlehem God was raising up a youth named David, a nobody nobody noticed, someone who would change Israel's course forever. 13:14 " The Lord hath sought him out a man after his own heart."
Abraham & Joseph have 14 chapters dedicated to their life, Jacob has 11 chapters. Elijah has 10 chapters. But David has 66
(1) THE MISTAKE THAT GOD CORRECTS
15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
notice that:
(a) MAN PANICS BUT GOD PROVIDES: And it grieved Samuel
(a) Samuel's Panic (16:1-2) And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
(b) The Lord's Provision
The Lord provides for Himself a Lamb. Abraham " My son God will provide Himself a lamb." Gen 22:8 And now ( 16:1 ) " I have provided Me a king." The Lamb is for Redemption, the King is for Rule, and God provides both.
" God holds the key of all unknown, And I am glad
If other hands should hold the key, Or if He entrusted it to me
I might be sad."
(b) MAN LOOKS BUT GOD SEES: 10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel.
Do you see Number 1: Eliab: his name means " God is my Father."
Samuel looks at him and says, " that reminds me of Saul. He's got to be the one." God says, " No, Eliab is not the one." Its not his Height, but his Heart that counts. Do you see Number 2: Abinadab: " Willing giver." Do you see Number 3: Shammah: His name means " Desolation."
I know not, but God knows; Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All my unfolding days, To Him are plain and clear.
Each anxious, puzzled “Why?”, From doubt or dread that grows,
Finds answer in this thought: I know not, but He knows.
I cannot, but God can; Oh, balm for all my care!
The burden that I drop, His hand will lift and bear.
Though eagle pinions tire, I walk where once I ran,
This is my strength to know, I cannot, but He can.
I see not, but God sees; Oh, all sufficient light!
My dark and hidden way, To Him is always bright.
My strained and peering eyes, May close in restful ease,
And I in peace may sleep; I see not, but He sees.
Annie Johnson Flint
(c) MAN FORGETS BUT GOD REMEMBERS:
When the seven had passed before Samuel he said," Are here all thy children ?" (16:11) And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.
David was the least in his father's estimation.
While the flesh was parading its best the eye of God was on the Forgotten One caring for the sheep. Samuel says " Send and fetch him for we will not sit down till he come hither." (16:11) (2) THE MAN THAT GOD RESPECTS 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Some years ago Jim Kennedy and his wife went to visit Dr. Springer one of the local dentists in the city of Fort Lauderdale. David was a Found Man ! God says, " I have found David, .... a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." ( Acts 13:22 ) I. v. 1 GOD’S CHOICES ARE SOVEREIGN A. His Choice Involves Sovereign Providence – B. His Choice Involves Sovereign Planning – C. His Choice Involves Sovereign Power – Notice “I have found.” (Ill. Napoleon, "God is on the side that has the heaviest artillery." Waterloo, Years later, in exile on the island of St. Helena, Napoleon "Man proposes, God disposes."
II. v. 6-13 GOD’S CHOICES ARE SURPRISING
A. v. 6-10 His Choice Is Surprising In Its Rejections –
B. v. 7 His Choice Is Surprising In It Requirements –
C. v. 11-13 His Choice Is Surprising In Its Receptions – David a Shepherd boy. 15/16 years of age
III. v. 11-13 GOD’S CHOICES ARE SPECIFIC
(Ill. God sent Samuel to a specific town, to a specific family and then to the specific person He had chosen for to be the next king.
A. v. 11-12 God Chooses Those Who Are Ready – v. 5. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. When David comes, there is no time to be sanctified, but he is ready!
B. God Chooses Those Who Are Reliable – v. 11 behold, he keepeth the sheep
When God calls David, He finds him faithfully doing what he has been told to do.
C. God Chooses Those Who Are Redeemed – v. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.
(3) THE METHOD THAT GOD SELECTS
What did God use ?
(a) OBSCURITY: For David these were hidden years as he,
" kept his father's sheep." ( 17:34 )
When you live in the fields tending sheep its solititude that nutures you. David became strong through communion with God. " The people that do know their God shall be strong " (Dan 11:32 ) have you a place of solitude ? Where you can meet with God, God also used:
(b) MONOTONY:
Thats being faithful in the menial, insignificant, routine, regular, unexciting, uneventful tasks of life.
(c) REALITY:
He says, " the Lord delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear. ( 17:37 ) While David was tending sheep God put steel in his bones. Yes, the Lord used Obscurity: Monotony: Reality: to bring David from the place of Humility to the place of Honour. Matt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Before entrusting David with the nation, what did God do ? He gave him a flock of sheep of protect.
