Woo hoo! 100 days gone. Well done everyone!
Samuel’s problem is what to do for the best for Israel. the Philistines are still too strong an enemy to overcome, Saul is losing it, the people are reasonably open to God’s will at this time, but are not being clearly led. How to get them on the right path?
Samuel sent to Bethlehem
1 Samuel 16:1-11
Samuel anoints David
1 Samuel 16:12-13
The glory of God’s creation
Psalm 19:1-14, 81:1-9
David calms Saul
1 Samuel 16:14-23
Goliath’s challenge
1 Samuel 17:1-11
David comes to the camp
1 Samuel 17:12-30
Samuel has no doubt been praying for the right solution to Israel’s problems, and eventually God tells him what to do. A new king. I don’t think Samuel is pleased - he doesn’t want a king, and he points out difficulties. God tells him to perform the anointing in secret, and Samuel duly selects Jesse’s youngest son. He’s a good looking youth, with a rare musical skill.
Meanwhile, Saul is troubled with bouts of depression, and by coincidence(!) someone suggests that young David's music might lift the king’s spirits. So David is sent for, and plays his harp and sings to the king.
We break off to read two lovely Psalms, and it’s great to read them in this context. I can see how these words would lift your spirits when you are feeling down. David is a man whose heart turns instinctively to God and to a song. We sense that he is going to have a remarkable time.
Finally, the first half of the story of Goliath, that will David his reputation with the people. David's brothers aren’t impressed with him - Eliab loses his rag with him, accusing him of coming to watch the battle as if it was a game of football. David replies, in words that sound just a like a little brother talking: “Now what have I done? said David. Can't I even speak?”
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