The Making of A King - Worthy Christian Forums

As far back as I can remember I have been fascinated with a certain point in time that seemed to literally jump from the pages of the OT and right into my brain. The pagentry, action and plot are things you find in a good novel. This, however, isn't a work of fiction but a superb chunk of history that calls to us from the ancient past to teach and guide us even today. And, though I have posted on this many times in years past on this forum, I have never attempted to "flesh it out" as I like to do. The reason is simple. Fear. I was afraid of seeming to downplay the significance of this era, or of missing a vital point, or of injecting an opinion of mine that could be in grave error. However, events and conversations and other things in my "real life" keep bringing me back to this story, again and again. So, here I go again.

I don't know how much I'll cover, and if I go beyond what I have in mind for now, then I'll simply do it in separate threads. For now, however, I plan on starting at the beginning. I won't have a fictional eye witness for this story, because our subject is alone at a critical part of his life. I don't tell stories from first person, mainly because I cannot inject myself into their thoughts. Were it a fictional character I could, and have, but I will not be so presumptuous with one that lived and breathed and became Israel's greatest king.

Please join me as I attempt to reveal the making of a king.

1Sa 13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

1Sa 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee.

To Be Continued........

David packed the clay into the gash that ran down the back of the lamb’s hind leg. He knew it wasn’t a serious wound, but it would need to be dressed in order to heal properly. Otherwise, he knew from experience, a fever would consume and eventually kill the animal. His brother Shammah approached as he finished wrapping the leg.

“Another bear?” his brother asked with a grin.

“Dogs,” he answered, “and small ones at that.” David set the lamb on the ground and watched as it ran off toward the mother that waited in the nearby brush. “You know that I haven’t seen a bear in a long time.”

“Good for the bear,” Shammah laughed.

“It was good for the sheep,” David corrected. “I only harm the animals that come after the flock.”

“I’m teasing you, little brother. The entire village knows of your courage against the wild animals. First you kill a lion, then a bear. “

“It was not courage, Shammah. The Lord went before me.”

“Again, I am teasing you, little brother. Here are the supplies that father sent. He wishes to know how things are here. Have you any complaints?”

David discussed issues with his brother as he pulled food from the bag his father sent. Afterwards, his brother bid his farewell and departed for home. David wrapped the food and replaced it in the sack. As he did every day, he took his staff and circled the flock, looking for stragglers or illness or any of the numerous things that could befall a flock.
When evening came, he sat near the trees that skirted the meadow. There he played his harp for the hills and the trees, the stars and the sheep. It was a sweet melodious sound that seemed to lull his audience into a peaceful, secure and safe sleep.

For years, since he was very small, David passed the days tending to his flock. He rescued them from treacherous cliffs or wild animals. He set broken bones, wrapped wounds, and, when necessary, assisted with birthing their young. His presence gave them courage during the storms or when predators stalked the flock. David was a dedicated shepherd, and it showed in the health of his sheep. He was completely content to tend his flock, and totally unaware that his life was about to change.

To Be Continued....

1 Sam 15

Now, Saul was a king that the people desired. He was also their first king. Before him, judges took care of the disputes and problems. However, the surrounding nations all had kings. Israel thought that perhaps the way those nations were governed was better than what the Lord intended for them. They got exactly what they asked for.

Saul, however, was not a good king. He looked like a king, tall and handsome, he acted kingly, but he was disobedient to God. When God told Saul, through Samuel, to kill the Amalekites and all the stock, to the last breathing thing, Saul disobeyed. He brought home with him the best of the livestock, and claimed, after he was caught in the act, that it was for the Lord. He also spared the king. Now, one might think that killing all the Amalekites a hard cruel thing. However, as history shows, it would have been for the good of the people to have done so.

Because of this direct disobedience to God, Samuel said to Saul (1 Sam 15:22)

"Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He also has rejected you from being king."

Now, when Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the prophet's robe, causing it to tear. Samuel turned to say, (1 Sam 15:28)

"The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.
1Sa 15:29 And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret."

Afterwards, Samuel took a sword and killed Agag, the king of the Amalekites. He then left Saul, and didn't see him again until Saul's death.

Samuel, after a time of grieving for Saul, then traveled to Bethlehem. He went in search of a king.

To Be Continued.....

Oh, goody! Another story from the pen of a ready writer!!! WRITE ON, my friend, WRITE ON!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

a.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

David ran. The commotion was coming from the south side of the flock, down close to the water. Over the past years of tending the flock, he learned the different tones of the bleats. This one meant danger.

The leather sling in his right hand was well worn. Often he had to use it against wild animals that hunted his sheep. He pulled a smooth rock from his pouch as he rounded the outcropping of rocks, and by the time he bounded over the last of the brush before the river banks his sling was loaded. David spotted the pack of wild dogs and started swinging his weapon. He stopped running as he built up speed with his sling. When he released the leather, the velocity sailed the rock through the air and struck the lead dog with enough force to knock him down. Before the first dog fell, David had reloaded his sling and was twirling with vigor. He struck the second dog with as much success as the first. The remaining dogs ran away when they realized the danger. The first two dogs never got up.

David walked around the sheep, checking for blood. This time the wounds he found were superficial and needed nothing. He then hauled the dead dogs away from the area so as not to bring more predators close to his sheep. As was his custom, he sang as he worked. The sheep recognized his voice and calmed down, as if they knew he was in charge of the situation.

For years, David worked alone. When he was little he worked alongside his father or his older brothers. Once he proved his worth, he worked the fields in shifts. Many years past he graduated to full time. Clearly he loved his work, and was diligent to do it and to do it well - even though no one was watching.

No one, that is, except God.




To Be Continued......

Oh my... aren't we like saul sometimes..
How often do you know the Lord has spoken to you to lay something down and the answer has been "Yes Lord "only to keep a litte of it ...
Praise God we remain in of the Kingdom of God when we do that but He will discipine us to make us more faithful to His word..
I am so thankful for that...
I rejoice in His warnings and His love... Yes...

(The David in us will rise up and replace the Saul..)

David leaned his staff against the tree and wiped his brow. The noon day sun had burned the chill from the air, leaving only warm breezes. David noticed the boy walking towards him when he was still a long distance away. A good shepherd was always alert to his surroundings. As the boy drew closer, David recognized him as the son of his father's friend.

“Your father has sent for you,” the boy said. “There is a man that wishes to see you. I am to watch your sheep until you return.”

“Then I won’t tarry. I just moved the flock to this area so the grazing is good. They should be fine until I return. Just don’t eat all my food,” he laughed. David handed his staff to the boy and turned toward home. “Be careful to watch the lambs. Make sure they stay close, away from the edge.”

“You don’t even want to know who the man is?” the boy asked.

“It wouldn’t change my course,” he grinned. “I still must go.”

David waved goodbye and started down the path toward home. It was almost an hour later before he could see the house. His father waved, and ran to meet him.

“Welcome my son! There is a man here! A prophet!” Jesse grasped his son’s hand and pulled him forward. “It is Samuel, David. Samuel! He is here to sacrifice to the Lord! We are to be there David. All your brothers went before you, and now he calls for you.”

“Me?” he asked. “Why does he call for me?”

“All your brothers went before him. He said a prayer after each son. After they passed by, he said to me, ‘have you another son?’ I told him, ‘Yes, my youngest is tending the flock.’ He told me to send for you and so I did.” Jesse led David alongside the house, but they did not go in. “They are gathered at the town square,” he explained. “The sacrifice is to be done there. Come along, now. He is waiting.”

When they arrived at the square David had no trouble identifying Samuel. He saw that the prophet wore a flowing robe and stood taller than the others, though he was the same physical height. Samuel’s long beard had streaks of grey, as did his bushy eyebrows. The two eyed one another only briefly before David lowered his head and approached. Of course, David did not know that earlier, when David’s oldest brother passed by Samuel, the Lord told him,

1Sa 16:7 "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."

Now, however, as David stood before the prophet, the Lord said to Samuel, 1 Sam 16:12

"Arise, anoint him, for this is he."

And Samuel took the horn of oil, and in front of all present, anointed David. He poured the oil on his head, it ran onto his back, and the fragrance of it filled the air. 1 Sam 16:13b

The spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ra’mah.

But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and he was filled with an evil spirit. His servants began to fear their king. Finally, they suggested he send for a musician, to perhaps calm his nerves.

Saul sent for David.


To Be Continued......

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/emot-hug.gif) thanks y'all.

I'm more like Saul than I wish tah.

In researching this portion for the story, I was really amazed at such integrity one so young exhibited. (as we will see) What's that old saying, something about "dance like no one is watching." Well, I guess that's how the world sees it. To do those things we wouldn't necessarily do in front of others. It's different in the Kingdom though. David did the best job he could in total solitude. That's surely something we have control over in our own lives. But, do we? How we conduct ourselves when no one is watching is a testament to our character.

At least, that's what I think.