Real Hope: Discovering Hope in the Life of DavidSample

David Plays For King Saul

So after David was anointed king of Israel, he returned to his flocks. David probably wondered when and how Samuel’s anointing might come to pass. But faith means trusting God, especially when His sense of timing differs from ours. God was working behind the scenes, and the events surrounding David’s life would soon fit into God’s ‘big picture’. Just as God’s Spirit came upon David in power, God’s Spirit departed from King Saul, due to his disobedience. Saul is distressed and his broken relationship with God has caused an inner brokenness. So Saul’s attendants became alarmed by Saul’s anxiety and saw the need for some means to calm their ruler. One of them knew of David, of his qualities, and knew that God was with him. Instead of a physician, they sought out a musician!

1 Samuel 16:18 gives us six features of David, the man who was described as being after God’s own heart. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say there are five qualities, with the final, ‘the Lord is with him’, serving as an explanation for the others.

God’s hand is all over this story! Saul unknowingly welcomed his replacement to enter his service. Hearing David skillfully play the harp, Saul was refreshed by the soothing music and delivered from his dark despair. David in turn got a lesson in leadership by serving.

This scenario was God’s internship program, bringing David into the house of the king he was to succeed. God works through our circumstances to accomplish His objectives. If we listen and wait on the Lord, He will lead us to where and when He wants us.

Written by HEIDI WYSMAN