David watched the flock, while his brothers trained for war. Samuel, the prophet was led to the home of Jesse. The sons of Jesse were burly, yet Samson got no revelations when he was presented with the elder brothers of David. Samuel asked Jesse if he had any more children. He answered “Yes, he is the youngest and is watching the sheep…” Samuel, refused to sit to the meal prepared for him with the sacrifices he had brought. And asked them to summon David from the fields.
The prophet Samuel anointed David as the future king of Israel in Bethlehem, as instructed by God in 1 Samuel chapter 16, after God rejected Saul as king. God directed Samuel to find one of Jesse’s sons in Bethlehem to be the next king. After Samuel was presented with several of Jesse’s older sons, God revealed that David, the youngest, was the chosen one, prompting Samuel to anoint him with oil, after which the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.
The Event in 1 Samuel 16
God’s Command to Samuel: God instructed the prophet Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king of Israel, as God had rejected Saul.
Samuel’s Concern: Samuel was initially afraid, fearing Saul would kill him if he discovered Samuel was anointing a new king.
Samuel’s Deception: God told Samuel to take a young heifer and say he had come to offer a sacrifice, thereby providing a cover for his mission.
The Gathering at Jesse’s House: Samuel invited Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice. God warned Samuel not to judge by appearance, as man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
David is Revealed: Jesse presented several sons, but none were the chosen one. When Samuel asked if there were any other sons, Jesse mentioned his youngest, David, who was out tending sheep.
The Anointing: When David arrived, God told Samuel to anoint him. Samuel poured oil on David, and from that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.
Significance of the Anointing: The anointing symbolized God’s presence and the coming of His Spirit upon David, marking him as God’s chosen leader.
Yet, we see from the life of David; back to tend flock, left from warring for Israel unlike his brothers! When the Israelites faced the Philistines:
In the biblical story found in 1 Samuel 17, David was sent by his father, Jesse, to check on the welfare of his brothers and bring them food. His three eldest brothers—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah—were fighting in King Saul’s army against the Philistines in the Valley of Elah.
Jesse’s instructions to David included:
Bringing provisions: David was to take roasted grain and ten loaves of bread for his brothers, along with ten cheeses for their commanding officer.
Checking on them: Jesse wanted David to “see how your brothers are” and “bring back news of them” from the battlefield, reflecting a father’s concern for his sons.
The journey and its result
David left his flock in the care of another shepherd and arrived at the camp just as the Israelite and Philistine armies were lining up for battle.
While talking with his brothers, David heard the Philistine champion, Goliath, issue his daily challenge, mocking the Israelite army and their God.
The sight and sound of Goliath terrified the Israelite soldiers, but David was outraged that an uncircumcised Philistine would defy “the armies of the living God”.
David’s eldest brother, Eliab, became angry, accusing David of pride and neglecting his sheep to see the battle.
Instead of being deterred, David spoke to other soldiers and learned of the great rewards King Saul promised for killing Goliath.
His questions were eventually reported to Saul, leading to David volunteering to fight the giant, a task he successfully completed with a sling and a stone.
Every situation needs to be fully committed to God! Direction, Love, peace fill your heart. Do NOT forget PATIENCE is a fruit of the Spirit!
The Fruits of the Spirit are divine qualities—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—that reflect God’s character and grow in a believer’s life when filled with the Holy Spirit, as described in the Bible, Galatians 5:22-23. These characteristics represent the spiritual nature of a Christian and are evidence of a life lived in Christ, standing in contrast to the desires of the “flesh”.
The Nine Fruits
The Apostle Paul lists these nine qualities as the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in a person’s life.
– Love: (agape): Deep care and commitment, demonstrated through action and a refusal to be self-seeking or boastful.
– Joy: A deep delight and hope that exists regardless of circumstances.
– Peace: Wholeness, harmony, and a secure state of mind, both internally and with others.
– Patience: (Long-suffering): The capacity to endure difficulties and other people, with hopeful fortitude rather than despair.
– Kindness: Compassionate and considerate actions toward others, often demonstrated through providing for basic needs.
– Goodness: A disposition of moral goodness and virtue.
– Faithfulness: Loyalty and steadfastness, especially in a consistent relationship with God and others.
– Gentleness: A tender and mild demeanor.
– Self-control: The ability to control one’s passions and desires.
How They Grow
Divine Provision: The Fruits of the Spirit are not achieved through human effort but are a gift of God’s grace, growing when a person is connected to Christ.
Evidence of God’s Presence: These qualities are the evidence that a believer belongs to Christ and has the Holy Spirit living within them.
Transformation: As believers participate with God, they become like new branches on a vine, bearing the same spiritual fruit as the vine itself.