A. INTRODUCTION: I SAMUEL 16:1-23
Much is said about the eldest son, and in some occurrence’s the second born son (Jacob), but what about a much younger child, or the last-born?
1. John Wesley, 16th child.
2. Cinderella. Had two older sisters.
3.Ben Franklin. He had nine brothers and seven sisters.
4. Youngest. What was David’s place among the children? (16:11).
5. Eight. How far down the list was David? (16:10).
B. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH A “LATER” BORN CHILD?
1. The name David means beloved. David was a special child in eyes of his parents, perhaps because he was born when they were old.
2. Forgotten. “Are here all thy children? And he (father) said, ‘There remaineth yet the youngest’” (16:11).
3. Errand for older brother. “And Jesse said unto David his son, ‘Take now for thy brethren an ephad of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp (15 miles) to thy brethren’” (17:17).
4. Menial task. “David . . . fed his father’s sheep” (17:15).
5. Not elevated. “He (Samuel) sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice” (16:5). David not included.
6. Thought of last. “Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel” (16:10).
C. TURNING A DISADVANTAGE INTO AN ADVANTAGE.
1. Used shepherd time to develop his musical ability. David became the “sweet psalmist of Israel” (II Sam. 23:1).
a. Personal excellence. “A man that can play well” (16:17).
b. Best in Israel. “Seek out a man . . . cunning player on a harp” (16:16).
c. Effective. “So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him” (16:23).
d. Arranged worship services (I Chronicles 6:31).
e. Composed Psalms.
2. Practiced his skills of war.
a. Learned to fight. “Thy servant kept his father’s sheep and then came a lion; and a bear . . . I caught him by his beard and smote him, and slew him” (17:35).
b. Learned to protect the helpess. “I went after him (lion) and smote him, and delivered it (lamb) out of his mouth” (17:35).
c. Learned the sling “David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth” (17:49).
How to choose a stone for war
1. Right size.
2. Right weight.
3. Right feel (memory).
4. Pre-tested.
5. Workable.
d. Learned to finish off a predator. “Caught him (lion) and slew him” (17:35). “David ran and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, . . . and cut off his head” (17:51).
3. Learned that God gives him victory. “Then said David to the Philistine, ‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied’” (I Sam. 17:45).
4. Learned and developed a deep desire to protect God’s reputation. “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (17:26).
5. Put some “wins” under his belt. “David said . . . ‘the Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine’” (17:37).
RIGHT MAKES MIGHT
6. Learned to appreciate God’s creative hand in nature. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth His handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge” (Psa. 19:1-2).
7. Learned an intimate relationship with God. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures” (Psa. 23:1-2).
8. Acquired respect of older adults and leaders. “And David came to Saul, and stood before him; and he loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer” (16:21).
9. Learned leadership and governmental practices. “He (David) became his armor bearer” (16:21).
Characteristics of the last-born child:
Risk takers
Outgoing
Idea people
Creative
Humor
Question authority
D. WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT FAITH TRANSFER?
1. God’s choice. “The Lord said to Samuel . . . ‘I will send thee to Jesse’” (16:1). “The Lord said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is he’” (16:12).
2. Don’t judge anyone outwardly. “Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature . . . for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (16:7).
3. Give appropriate recognition in front of other children. “Samuel . . . anointed him in the midst of his brethren” (16:13).
4. Look for spirituality. “The Spirit of the Lord came upon David” (16:13).
5. Be concerned about reputation. “Then answered one of the servants . . . ‘The Lord is with him (David)’” (16:18).
6. Be faithful in little tasks and in inconspicuous places. “David . . . returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem” (17:15).
7. Develop some common sense. “David put it on (Saul’s armor) . . . and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested. ‘I am not used to them’” (17:39, LB).
8. Put trust in God. “And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s” (17:47).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
