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A REVIEW OF DAVID’S YOUTH
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
2 Samuel 23

2 Timothy 2:1-5

 

“Thou therefore endure hardness,

as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

 

A REVIEW OF DAVID’S YOUTH
 
David was coming to his last days as king in Israel. He was also set to complete his pilgrimage on earth. His last words depicted him as a mighty king and one who feared the Lord. He expressed his heart and his relationship with God in speech and in the many psalms that he had written.
 
He began as an obedient shepherd boy in his father’s house. He was the last-born son of Jesse and the main occupation for boys in those days was to look after sheep. The Jews kept sheep for meat, sacrifices and possibly for milk. There were no grazing fields with sufficient grass for the animals. They had to go a long distance to get the feed. There was also need to protect the sheep from wild animals. David testified that at some instance, he was able to kill a lion and a bear that wanted to kill his father’s sheep. He added that it was the Lord who enabled him to do so. Thus, the shepherd’s job was more than merely leading the sheep to graze. David performed this duty effectively. He used his success as a shepherd to encourage himself that all things were possible when he trusted God. His spiritual maturity was a gift of God’s grace. Jesse, his father, trusted David even as a child, as he was an efficient errand boy.
 
When the Philistines went to war with Israel, David’s three older brothers fought for Israel (1 Sam 17:13). David was sent by his father to take some food to his brothers. It was during this trip that he encountered a challenge to the nation of Israel from a foreign army. David offered to help fight Goliath. In his offer, he spoke with strong confidence.
 
God chose David, the youngest son of his father, long before David himself knew, and He favoured him among the people with his extraordinary achievements. David was very young when he killed the Philistine giant. His achievement then brought him into the national limelight, and he became the captain of the host of the nation under King Saul. David attributed his successes to the Lord.
 
THOUGHT: All success and failure in life are pemitted by our Creator, according to His will.

PRAYER: Father, remove all fear from my heart as I follow Thee.

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