Lessons from the Life of David - Chapter 4
Obedient to the Lord
In a previous study we noted that it was in God's sovereign purpose that David the shepherd lad would one day become king of Israel. We need to remember always that God never alters His purposes and plans. When once He has resolved to do something, He always brings it to pass. This is because He is infinite and almighty. Man may fight against God's purposes, his enemies may oppose his plans and time might elapse, but inevitably He will prevail and implement his predictions.
We read in 1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 12 that God instructed Samuel his great servant to rise up and anoint David because He had chosen him to be the next king of Israel. This was one of three anointings of David. The second was at Hebron, when he became king over the house of Judah and the third was seven years after when the Elders of Israel anointed him king of Israel. However, we realise from the promise first being made to David the youth much time elapsed before God's promise was fulfilled. David's behaviour throughout teach us some important and vital lessons; here are some of them:
First, David would not anticipate God and become king by his own hand and effort. Twice we read in the Bible record of his life, that he had Saul at his mercy and could have taken his life. The temptation must have been severe. His friends urged him to avail himself of the opportunity. His nephew offered to strike the fatal blow for him while Saul was sleeping and defenceless. David resisted, for God's law to him was sacred and had to be obeyed. So he would not raise a hand against the Lord's anointed. David's resolve was to await with patience God's time. Knowing that his God would eventually honour him for his faithfulness. There are times in our own lives when we would like to hurry God, but we need to remember that often, God's wheels turn slowly but surely.
The second lesson we learn from David's example is that during the period of waiting for God's appointment, he sought guidance from his God in conducting his life at each step. As he waited, he was in a position of learning and preparation for the whole of the time. David was content to serve his apprenticeship diligently, knowing that the office of king would bring with it great responsibility and tremendous challenges. One feels that the result of this was that when he eventually became King, he turned out to be the greatest of all time.
Thirdly, David would teach us that when God's will is revealed to His waiting servant, he must be ready to obey and act accordingly. Someone has rightly said that it is a question of asking for a revelation of God's will, awaiting God's time, and then acting as God shows. It has been described like this: "Ask, Await and Act". Ask for God's will. Await God's time and act as God shows you.
So, in obedience to God's will, David and his men came to Hebron, chief city of Judah (Jerusalem at this time was still in the hands of the Jebusites). In 2 Samuel chapter 2 verse 1, we read that David enquired of the Lord saying, "Shall I go up to the cities of Judah." And the Lord said, "Go up." He sought and received God's guidance. Hebron, by the way, means "Union", Communion" or "Association", quite appropriate in this instance.
The lesson here for us all, is that if we are to accomplish great things for God in our lives, we must, by prayerful exercise and direction from God's word, discover God's will for ourselves as David did. The result was that David with his wives and his faithful men went up there and they settled in Hebron and its towns. Then we are told the men of Judah came to Heron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. Thus God's promise and prediction was fulfilled and His servant David honoured. This was stage one in uniting God's people. The next stage is described in 1 Samuel chapter 5 verse 1 where we read that all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said "We are your own flesh and blood. In the past when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, 'You shall shepherd my people, Israel and you shall become their ruler.'" Then all the Elders came and they anointed David king over Israel. David at this time was thirty years old when he became king and he reigned for forty years. In all this he sought to honour God as he served Him and his people.