Lessons from the Life of David - Chapter 2
The Shepherd
In this series we are looking at the life of King David of Israel. We have previously noted that David lived a most eventful life, undertaking many roles as a servant of God whom he served faithfully for most of his life. One of these early roles was that of a shepherd. The first mention of David in Scripture, in 1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 11, we read that he was out in the fields tending his father's sheep. We discovered last time that this shepherd lad, the youngest member of his family, was the one whom Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, was to anoint as God's choice to become the second king of Israel. It was generally accepted that shepherding was a lowly occupation and not of great importance. However, minding sheep and caring for them called for diligence and vigilance. It could also be dangerous and the shepherd needed to display bravery. On one occasion when David stood before King Saul, he told him of his encounter with a lion, which he slew as he guarded his father's sheep. Here, then, was a teenager who was doing a man sized job in semi-obscurity, but doing it honourably and with dedication. He was a shepherd indeed and an honourable one at that.
The shepherds of the Bible were real men and it was clear that God was aware of the many qualities that they showed in their work. We can think of Moses, who for forty years minded the sheep for his father-in-law Jethro in the wilderness. He had been a prince in Egypt. But, for God's purposes, he learned many lessons as a shepherd, which put him in good stead for leading God's people later when journeying to the Promised Land. In Psalm 78 verses 70 to 72, we are told that the Lord took David from shepherding sheep to shepherding the people of God. To do this he would feed them according to the integrity of his heart and by the skilfulness of his hands. The dictionary tells us that integrity is complete sincerity or honesty, qualities that God looks for in men and women He wishes to use in His service. We read in Acts chapter 13 verse 22, where the Apostle Paul was talking about Israel's history, that God raised up David to be their king of whom he bore witness and said, "I have found David, a son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart who will do all my will and carry out my Chapterme fully." There is a lesson for all God's people today in this. Our work and service for Him must always be from the heart. We read in Colossians chapter 3 verse 23, 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
It is not surprising that the shepherd who had a great heart for his sheep uttered the immortal words of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." God had always desired to be accepted as the shepherd of His people looking upon humanity as His sheep. The prophet Isaiah, in his 53rd. chapter says, "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way." It is sin that has separated us sinners from the God who loves us. But God by His grace sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be the Good Shepherd who would willingly lay down His life so that we might have eternal life. David was able to say, "The Lord is my Shepherd," because through faith he had accepted personally God's provision for him. The prophet Isaiah, in his 40th. chapter, describes his God as being the "Lord God who comes with power, whose arm rules for Him and who tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart and He gently leads those that have young."
It is often said that David, in many ways, portrayed in his life the work of God's only Son the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told in Mark chapter 9 verse 34 that He "was moved with compassion when he saw the multitude because they where like sheep, not having a shepherd." Later on in His ministry, recorded in the Gospel of John chapter 10, Jesus described Himself as being the Good Shepherd who had come to lay down His life for the sheep. He also said that He was the gate, or the means of entrance for the sheep and whoever enters through Him will be saved. Further He said, "I have come that the sheep might have life and have it to the full."
I wonder if you know the Good Shepherd yourself? You can have that assurance by recognising that, as a sinner, a lost sheep, by placing your trust in Him you can enter the gate of Christ's sheep-fold and receive his gift of eternal life.
We conclude this study by reminding ourselves again of Psalm 78. God chose David, his servant and took him from the sheep-pens, from tending the sheep. God brought him to be the shepherd of his people Israel, his inheritance, and David shepherded them with integrity of heart, and with skilful hands he led them.