YOUTHS LESSON 211 DAVID IS ANOINTED KING
TEXT: 1 Samuel 16:1-23
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah” (1 Samuel 16:13).
The unfaithfulness of men cannot make God unfaithful. He will rather change man than allow him to frustrate His plans. Saul’s disobedience made God to replace him. “And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou” (1 Samuel 15:28). Though Samuel mourned for him, God still chose a replacement for Saul. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse. David his youngest son was chosen. The manner with which God chose David, who was on errand when the process of selection started, shows that His choice is based on inward qualities. Though anointed, David waited patiently for his coronation.
1. SAMUEL VISITS BETHLEHEM IN SEARCH OF A KING
(1 Samuel 16:1-5; 1 Kings 19:1-8; 1 Samuel 11:12,13; 1 Corinthians 10:12)
“And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons” (verse 1). The process of selection of a new king to replace Saul began with God calling Samuel out of his mournful state.
Samuel was a true prophet with a compassionate heart, bound by God’s word. He had earlier promised the Israelites that he would not cease to pray for them. He said, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way” (1 Samuel 12:23).
Question 1: What can believers learn from Samuel’s behaviour despite his knowledge of God’s verdict on Saul?
When one departs from the faith, it is expected that those close to him should mourn. They should not lose hope but pray for God’s mercy and the restoration of such a backslider. Christian youths today should not delight in the fall of a fellow believer but pray and seek their restoration to the fold. We should not be like Jonah who only pronounced judgment but not interested in the restoration of the fallen. However while we pray and seek God’s face on their behalf, leaders should not allow that to hinder God’s work. If they need to be replaced, let them be replaced according to God’s leading, so that God’s plan and purpose would be fulfilled in the Church. Therefore, God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint His chosen king in the place of Saul.
Question 2: Mention some characters in the Scriptures who were afraid and the way they managed their fears.
In response to God’s command, Samuel said, “…How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD” (1 Samuel 16:2). Saul had become such a terror that he could kill anyone who made attempt to replace him or anoint another; therefore, Samuel was afraid. Fear is common to all men but the way it is managed matters a lot.
Life is full of frightful situations but those who take their fears to the Lord will get solutions while those who resort to self-management get into trouble. Abraham feared the people of Gerar, provided self-solution and he almost lost his wife (Genesis 20:1-3).
Peter was afraid of the Jewish believers and this almost hindered the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-14). On the other hand, Jacob took his fear to the Lord and got divine solution (Genesis 32:11-32). Elijah expressed his fear to God, and received strength (1 Kings 19:1-8). Our fears should drive us to God like Samuel, and not turn us away from Him. Samuel got a divine directive on how to approach the assignment. Our dependence on the Lord will guarantee divine direction. When we face hard situations at school or at home, pray to God; He will work out the solutions.
Question 3: What lesson can a believer draw from the degenerated condition of Saul at this time?
Backsliding is terrible. Saul, who shortly after being anointed king, refused to kill those who opposed him, had degenerated to the level of wanting to murder anybody to retain the kingship (1 Samuel 11:12,13). Believers should know that the devil will try everything to hinder them from getting to heaven. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). A good beginning does not guarantee a good ending. Therefore, we must be watchful and do everything to avoid backsliding.
“And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably” (verse 4). Obedience to the word of God should override our fears. Fear of the people drove away the fear of God from Saul’s heart; therefore, he disobeyed God. However, the fear of God drove away the fear of men from Samuel’s heart; therefore, he obeyed God. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25). The presence of the man of God, which was supposed to bring joy to the elders in Bethlehem brought fear to them. As Christian youths, we should not be afraid of our leaders but respect them.
2. SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID AS KING (1 Samuel 16:6-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Psalms 75:6,7; 147:10,11; Isaiah 55:8,9)
After the sacrifice, as directed by God, Samuel started the process of king selection. Jesse had eight sons and David was the youngest. Eliab was the first to be considered, being the first son. Samuel was emphatic of his choice as king. “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (verse 6,7).
Question 4: What can you deduce from God’s response to Samuel’s choice?
The ways of God is beyond man’s comprehension. There are some lessons to draw from this: One, Eliab had all the physical attributes a leader could possess but God is more concerned about spiritual attributes. Thus, we should pay attention to spiritual qualities of leaders. Two, we should not be carried away by eloquence of preachers but by the fruit they bear. Three, Samuel did not make mistake in choosing Saul, but he made a mistake here by choosing Eliab. We must seek God’s guidance in every situation. Four, leadership position in the church is not based on age, number of years spent in the church, parent’s position or human consideration, but by divine choice.
Samuel made several attempts but he did not stop until he finally got the appointed person for the kingship. Youths should understand that failed attempts are not indications of failure in life. They should keep trying and have faith in God and success will definitely come. David, though not considered relevant, was the one chosen by God to be the next king of Israel.
In the world, people are taught to showcase themselves and blow their trumpet. “If you do not blow it, nobody will blow it for you”, they say. But David’s life shows the way to the top. We can learn the following lessons:
one, we should be faithful in any assignment given to us;
two, we must be faithful in whatever our hands find to do and
three, our future is determined by what we do today; therefore, we must ensure that our character and conduct are acceptable to the Lord on a daily basis.
The moment David was anointed by Samuel, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah” (verse 13).
3. THE SPIRIT OF GOD DEPARTS FROM SAUL (1 Samuel 16:14-23; Job 1:6-12; Habakkuk 2:3)
“But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him” (verse 14). Saul’s disobedience and jealousy exposed him to be possessed by evil spirit. Backsliding opens up the heart of a one-time believer to the spirit of the devil. Therefore, believers should watch and pray, while backsliders should return to the Lord urgently.
Question 5: What does the phrase “an evil spirit from the Lord” means?
God does not have evil spirits in His presence. Evil spirits move to and fro on the earth and it is the restraining presence of the Lord in us that keeps them away from us. Therefore, we must walk with Him always. An evil spirit from the Lord means God permitted the spirit to have its way in the life of Saul (Job 1:6-12). The man who controlled an entire nation was now being controlled by another spirit.
In order to drive away the evil spirit from Saul, a solemn music must be played from a musical instrument. A hunt for an expert in playing harp was declared and David was recommended. Though anointed a king, he was still busy doing what he used to do, waiting for the appointed time. Youths should know that every dream has its appointed time of fulfilment. Wait patiently for it. Playing of musical instrument, which was just a leisure for David brought him to the king’s palace. “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16). David found favour in Saul’s sight, therefore he requested that he should remain with him in the palace. When we have favour with God, we shall definitely have favour with men.
To obtain favour with God, sinning youths are to repent of their sins, while backsliders are to return to the Lord for restoration.
