In Part 4 of the Kings and Kingdoms collection, Ben Stuart introduces us to King David. This message focuses on why God chose David to be king and how he is a foreshadowing of the one true King.
Key Takeaway
God is completely in control and sovereign in His choices. In order to be raised up into a leader worth following, you have to be devoted to the God who never fails and allow Him to shape and mold you into an effective leader.
Saul's insecurity led him to indecision, ignorance, and idolatry which left the nation of God lacking a moral leader. Samuel and God both grieve over Saul's actions; but where Samuel is grieving over a broken past and disappointment, God sees the bright future of promise.
1) God's Sovereign Choice: He chooses who rules.
God doesn't fail. The King is always on His Throne.
Despairing in disappointment over what turned out completely the opposite of what we were expecting is the worst sin of the Believer because we have a God who cannot be stopped and will accomplish His purpose. Our stories begin when our preconceived plans fail.
Samuel is scared because he has to anoint a new king and Saul has already proven himself dangerous. When insecurity gets power, the world trembles because the insecure make everything about themselves. Fear not, God is always in the driver's seat and provided a way out for Samuel.
2) God's Surprising Choice: He disrupts convention.
We look at the outward appearance, power, money, fame, and success. They are good gifts but make bad gods. God sees the heart, thoughts, and motivations of a person.
So when God chooses David, He purposely disrupts the status quo. David is the smallest and the youngest of all the brothers. However, what looks like his weakness is actually his strength and would help him defeat Goliath.
What does it mean to be a "man after God's own heart"?
David was a shepherd and that taught him how to take care, responsibility, and lead. He was surrounded by solitude. In that time totally devoted to the Lord, he became skillful and honed his craft of shepherding, playing his harp, and becoming a man of courage. The solitude forged in him a sincere and undivided heart.
When God wants to use someone, He'll often lead them to the quiet place and have them serve in obscure places.
3) God's Spirit on His chosen: The Holy Spirit dwells.
The Spirit of God rushed upon David. This did not promise an easy life for him, but instead, a life of impact.
As the Spirit came upon David it left Saul. This does not happen to any believers post-Pentecost. After Pentecost, when all believers are filled with the Spirit, He promises to be with us always and is a deposit of what is to come. God empowers the fulfillment of His promises and puts power behind His Priorities.
God harms Saul as an act of mercy. Saul had increasing paranoia and was becoming more and more dangerous to those around him, so God restrained the evil in him by incapacitating him. However, in God's grace, he still allowed Saul to be comforted and the evil spirit to leave when David would play the harp for him. Even in Saul's torment, God still blessed him.
4) God shows us some of the characteristics He desires in leaders through David's example.
Skilled technically
Warrior, valor
Prudent, knows when and when not to speak
Good presence, handsome
Blessed by God, the Lord is with him
5) How to study the life of David?
Historically
Personally apply it (solitude, skillful, sincere heart)
Prophetically, David points to our salvation in Jesus
We are Samuel, looking towards external things to make us feel safe and comfortable. We are Saul, the Spirit of God left us when we forsook Him.
We need a King, the Son of David, Emmanuel, and God with us.
Jesus is our Sovereign King, Surprising King, Shepherding King, and Servant King.
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"We don't need to be more like David, we need the Son of David."
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Ben Stuart
Discussion Questions
Ben Stuart said that 1 Samuel 16 is more about God than it is about David even though the chapter is about his anointing. In what ways did you see God at work?
It's OK to grieve when what you thought was the right decision turns out to be the wrong decision. Do you usually continue to grieve like Samuel or do you look to the future like God did?
Saul's insecurity affected everyone around him. Have you ever been affected by someone else's insecurity in a way that made you uncomfortable? Have you ever been so insecure about something that others were afraid to approach you?
In what ways do you look at the outward appearance rather than looking at the heart of the matter?
Ben Stuart discussed the importance of solitude in developing us into better leaders. What were the two points he emphasized that were developed in the quiet place?
Scripture outlined how David was anointed king by Samuel and empowered by the Holy Spirit, but then returned to being a shepherd. It would be years before he became king. Have you ever experienced delayed resolution before? You were promised one thing, but then sent to "lowly places" to prepare?
What were the five examples of characteristics of leadership in David? Which areas is God working in your life the most right now?
Ben Stuart warned of the danger of contempt when having to serve under a leader when you feel you are ready to lead. He said that people who shoot straight to the top make terrible leaders. How do you become a solid, safe, good leader?
What made David a man after God's own heart?
Where do you see Jesus in this chapter? What verses help support His plan?
Scripture References
Samuel Anoints David1.The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”2.But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3.Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”4.Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”5.Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.6.When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”7.But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”8.Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9.Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10.Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11.So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”12.So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”13.So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.David in Saul’s Service14.Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil16:14 Or and a harmful; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23 spirit from the Lord tormented him.15.Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16.Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”17.So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”18.One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”19.Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20.So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.21.David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22.Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”23.Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
14.Therefore the Lord himself will give you7:14 The Hebrew is plural. a sign: The virgin7:14 Or young woman will conceive and give birth to a son, and7:14 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls son, and he or son, and they will call him Immanuel.7:14 Immanuel means God with us.
1.A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
6.But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proudbut shows favor to the humble.”4:6 Prov. 3:34
28.God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
10.“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
7.Then the Lord God formed a man2:7 The Hebrew for man (adam) sounds like and may be related to the Hebrew for ground (adamah); it is also the name Adam (see verse 20). from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
19.By the sweat of your browyou will eat your fooduntil you return to the ground,since from it you were taken;for dust you areand to dust you will return.”
1.When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2.Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3.They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4.All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11 as the Spirit enabled them.
1.Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2.When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3.Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,6:3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.4.Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”5.He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6.He was amazed at their lack of faith.Jesus Sends Out the TwelveThen Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
Giving to the Needy1.“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.2.“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.3.But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4.so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.Prayer5.“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.6.But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.7.And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.8.Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9.“This, then, is how you should pray:“ ‘Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,10.your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.11.Give us today our daily bread.12.And forgive us our debts,as we also have forgiven our debtors.13.And lead us not into temptation,6:13 The Greek for temptation can also mean testing.but deliver us from the evil one.6:13 Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’14.For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.15.But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.Fasting16.“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.17.But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,18.so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.Treasures in Heaven19.“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20.But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.22.“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,6:22 The Greek for healthy here implies generous.your whole body will be full of light.23.But if your eyes are unhealthy,6:23 The Greek for unhealthy here implies stingy.your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!24.“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.Do Not Worry25.“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26.Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?27.Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life6:27 Or single cubit to your height?28.“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.29.Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.30.If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?31.So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32.For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33.But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.34.Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
27.But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”
41.In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42.“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43.He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
21.God made him who had no sin to be sin5:21 Or be a sin offering for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
34.When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
28.just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
70.He chose David his servantand took him from the sheep pens;
10.“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone4:10 Or the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
22.And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
14.who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
42.Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:“ ‘The stone the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone;the Lord has done this,and it is marvelous in our eyes’21:42 Psalm 118:22,23?
