[Life of David] Dying Done: Bucket List CheckedSample

Beginnings and Endings

David was the son of Jesse. Jesse had nine sons, and David was the youngest. When God’s prophet Samuel went to anoint the future king of Israel from among Jesse’s sons, he met all of them except for David. It is almost as if Jesse had forgotten about his youngest son who was in the fields, tending the sheep. He was not considered by his father because he was too young; his older brothers were more likely to be chosen king over David.

David’s relationship with his brothers was full of tension. He was never taken seriously. He was often forgotten and belittled by his brothers. Remember when he went to fight Goliath? His older brother got angry at him and insulted him, and David’s response was, “What have I done now?” It seems he was used to his brothers being mad at him.

When we read in the Bible that “David, son of Jesse, was king over all Israel," - that is a huge statement. It means that David, the last and least of the litter, the one that they forgot about in the field, the one tending the flock, David, son of Jesse, became king of Israel. David was forgotten as a son, but he was remembered as a king. David was the one passed over, but then he was lifted up. It is absolutely amazing to think about this. David was not invited to the anointing that Samuel was going to have when he arrived, yet he is the most remembered king in all of Israel.

Can you see the beginning of David’s life in the Bible? It was a small, maybe tough beginning, but his ending was strong and glorious because he fulfilled God’s purpose for his life.

You may be feeling like you have had a tough beginning and you will never get to fulfill the purpose of God in your life. However, there is a truth we need to know and understand, that while we are still breathing, there is still grace from God available to us. While we yet live, there is still a future and a purpose to fulfill.

With God, through His amazing grace, every tough beginning can have a strong and glorious ending!