David and Christ

1Sa 16:1 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…..

1Sa 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.
1Sa 16:7 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……

1Sa 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
1Sa 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

I was reading today from a book that Jordan Jackson kindly bought me. I hardly ever read the introduction areas of a book. Instead I normally choose to dive right into the chapters. I am generally impatient with the “background information.” However, I felt compelled to read the introductory stuff in this book. The author was making a case for the background of why Christ came to Earth and His mission on earth. He stated in the political realm the people were looking for the Messiah to come and deliver them from the dominion of Rome. Therefore, they did not understand how one could announce the Kingdom was at hand and then not take the throne but live a life of servitude and suffering. They were unaware of the Messiah’s government being established in two separate phases. This made me think of David and his early years.

David was anointed as the King of Israel at a young age. He was not what the people would have chosen for their king. Indeed they had already chosen their leader, Saul. David was not who Samuel thought the Lord would chose for he was dismayed after all of David’s older brothers had passed before him and the king had not been revealed by God. Even David’s father thought so little of David that he left him in the field caring for the sheep. How could one who came from such humble backgrounds be the chosen one who would lead Israel into a time of greatness? Thing now of Christ’s humble beginnings in an impoverished home, in a city of no significance, and to a mother and adopted father (a carpenter) who held little majesty. Yet these lives show that God elevates the humble and puts down the proud. Never let anyone judge you as insignificant based upon any of your background information.

After being anoint king, David killed Goliath, became a leading general in Saul’s Army, became hated by Saul because he behaved himself wisely, and eventually an outcast of Jewish society. Likewise Christ operating under the power of the Holy Spirit became the slayer of sickness, disease, and death all under the watchful eye of the Jewish leaders. He behaved himself wisely and displayed their wisdom to be foolishness and was therefore, cast from the mainstream of society. Eventually Christ, unlike David, would be put to death, by His own submission, on a cross.

After David’s time as an outcast he became king to a small minority of Israel. His authority and kingship was accepted by two of the ten tribes. Likewise, even now Christ is accepted as king by only a minority of people. However, like the time of David’s acceptance by all of Israel, there will come a time when every knee shall bow to Christ in acceptance and recognition of His exalted position. Then like with Israel and David, the best will come into view.
I just wanted to share some thoughts on similarities between David and Christ. I pray that you find yourself as a minority in the Kingdom. I pray that because of your obedience to the King you are being rewarded as a faithful servant. I also pray that your service is such that when Christ arrives in full power and glory you will be counted, like those who served David in the rough years, a mighty man of valor.