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1 Samuel 16:1,6-7, 10-13, & 19 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 go; I will send you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 6) When they entered, he (Samuel) looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” 7) But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for [b]God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” It appears that along with God cautioning Samuel to not look on physical appearance to determine the character/abilities of a man, He was also foreshadowing that none of the expected sons would be chosen to be king. Kind of like that old saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” 10) Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11) And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and [d]bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12) So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” 13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. It’s interesting to me that Jesse didn’t even line his son David up as a possibility for Samuel to be instructed by God to choose him as king. I mean I get when other people underestimate an underdog, but his own dad in a sense didn’t believe that he had a chance to be selected. It’s also a reminder to me that sometimes we look for approval in other people (parents, siblings, friends, spouses, coworkers, etc.) but the appreciation we desire is found in God alone. David was overlooked by others, but selected by God! 19) So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David who is with the flock.” So in verse 13 he was chosen to be king, but by verse 19 he is found back in the fields tending to the flock as a shepherd boy. At first that sounds crazy that he would be anointed to be king, but sent to do remedial work back in the fields. But in this time of waiting, he had character building and development to do that would help him as king. That’s why preachers are often referred to as shepherds caring for their flock because there is skill and leadership involved in taking care of a plurality of animals or people. Think about it, David had to fend off wild animals, and that could have prepared him for battle and not to fear. After all, he did kill a bear and a lion! 1 Samuel 17:34-36 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock. I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth, and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” Also, I find it interesting that there is no indication that he was impatient while waiting to take over as king, but that’s probably because he was satisfied with where God had placed him. So often it seems like most of us (myself included) try to rush our times of waiting, but there is a purpose in our time of waiting.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. Luke 12:48 I've been given this prophecy and word of knowledge many times as a Christian. The first time I was a baby Christian, having just given my life to the Lord. My friend said to me that I had been given much and much would be required of me. Not to be bragging, but my friend knew I had many abilities and talents and then God gave me many spiritual gifts. I've always felt this huge burden over my life since my friend quoted this scripture and told me God would expect much from me. Recently I finished writing a huge novel, nearly 1000 pages, and people said they were moved by it and that the novel changed their lives. It was not one I'd publish for the general public as it contained many of the memories of the horrid things I witnessed and what was done to me. Not long after I posted the final chapter, I repented for not using my writing gift to glorify God and further His Kingdom, and asked Him how He wanted me to use my talent for writing. I felt that this kind of story was leading me astray so maybe it was doing the same for those who read it (???). I know for years the Lord wanted me to use writing novels for healing from my abuse. Though now I don't believe that's true any more. I wanted to add that I wanted to continue on down the path of writing more novels like this huge one. However God gave me a repetitive dream. I had it three nights in a row before I knew something had to change. I needed to repent and go another direction in my writing. I dreamt that there was an earthquake in my house (not outside of it). The only place where there was destruction was my office I use for writing. The wall to my left was crumbling, huge bricks falling away. I knew exactly what the dream meant: I was sinning and needed to repent and change my ways. Is this supposed to be a huge burden hanging over me? Do I strive to use all of my gifts, talents, and abilities for God's glory and to further His Kingdom and stop worrying whether I'm doing enough or the right thing or going the right direction? Or always be in prayer for His guidance in the direction I've undertaken? Can I really use all of these abilities, talents, and spiritual gifts? Seems as if I'd need to discern which ones could be used in concert with each other and use those rather than all that has been given me. Seems overwhelming to me is what I'm trying to say. Something which goes with this.... When I attended a church for the first time (moved many times so not church shopping) I used to dive in head long and used as many of my abilities, talents, and spiritual gifts as possible. Then I felt used as I watched others just sit around not participating in their church. As I grew as a Christian, I started to take a different stance. I held back and discerned which ministry God could use me the most. So would that be going against that scripture Luke 12:48 because I'm not using all that has been given to me?