Lesson 210 - Junior

Memory Verse

Notes

A Time of Joy

God had rejected Saul from being king over Israel because of his disobedience. Samuel had loved Saul very much at the time he had ruled Israel well, and the Prophet was very much grieved that Saul was no longer a good king whom God could use.

One day God said to Samuel: "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?" God's judgment had fallen. Saul had had several opportunities to repent, and had refused them. Now, so far as being king of Israel was concerned, there was no more hope for him. God told Samuel to grieve no more but forget the past and anoint a new king. It was a time of great joy when a new king was to be anointed. New hope was born.

The Sacrifice at Bethlehem

God sent Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, and told him to anoint one of Jesse's sons to be the next king. Samuel was afraid that if Saul heard about it he would want to kill him. Saul was still the king, and of course he would be jealous of anyone else who might be appointed for the throne. But God takes care of His children when He sends them on an errand for Him.

God told Samuel that he should take along a heifer when he went to Bethlehem, and offer sacrifices as he usually did when on his duties as circuit rider. Thus Saul would probably never hear about the anointing.

Samuel went as God had said; and when he came to Bethlehem the elders of the city became frightened and wondered what they might have done wrong that would bring Samuel at this time. Samuel assured them that all was well. He asked them to sanctify themselves and come together to worship with him. He especially invited the family of Jesse.

We can sanctify, or prepare, ourselves before a time of worship by putting all thoughts of our work and play out of our minds and thinking about things of God. We should always pray before a meeting that God will help us to do everything we can to tell someone about Jesus in such a way that he will want to be saved. Then God will bless us and we will feel that the meeting has been worth while.

God's Viewpoint

When everyone was prepared for the time of the sacrifices, they met with Samuel at the altar of God. As Samuel looked over the group he noticed Jesse's eldest son, Eliab, a fine-looking young man, and thought he must be the next king of Israel. God had noticed him too, but saw more than Samuel saw. He knew that Eliab did not qualify as king. He told Samuel, "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

Then came Abinadab, and Shammah, the next younger sons. Still God was not satisfied. Neither of these would be the next king. Then came the fourth and fifth sons -- and the sixth and seventh. All had passed by, and still God said "No." What was Samuel to think? God had sent him to anoint a son of Jesse to be king, and they had all passed by, and still no king.

Samuel asked Jesse, "Are here all thy children?" Jesse answered that his youngest son was out keeping the sheep, and as he was so young it had not been thought necessary to call him. The other brothers did not care to be bothered with their little brother. That little brother was David, and he was the man God wanted to be king of Israel. Although his brothers did not pay attention to him, God had. David was not alone with the sheep on the hillside; God was with him and teaching him about eternal things.

Preparation

David had not wasted his time while he was out there watching the sheep: God likes to see someone diligent in whatever he is doing; and as David watched the sheep, he was practicing his music lesson. He might have said that no one would ever hear him play anyway, so why put forth any effort. The time came when he was called to play for the king and he was ready. And while he played he also sang praises to God. David wrote many of the beautiful Psalms in the Bible, and it may be that some were written while he was tending the sheep. He no doubt received his inspiration for writing, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1), from this early occupation.

When David arrived at the feast where the sacrifice had been made, God told Samuel that this was the new king. Samuel arose and anointed him with oil for that position, right there in front of all his family who had not thought he amounted to very much.

Jesus told His disciples: "If any man serve me, him will my Father honour" (John 12:26). David had been serving God with all his heart, and now God was beginning to honour him for his faithfulness.

After God's Heart

The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day on; and through the many years of faithful service, David always tried to please God. When he did sin, he repented with a broken heart, and God forgave him. He was a man after God's own heart. To honour God and serve Him was the ambition of his life.

David did not feel that since he had been anointed to be king, he was too good to work. He went back to taking care of his father's flock until such time as God would need him. Through all the years of waiting God stayed right with him and took care of him.

Saul's Misery

Saul was still living in his fine palace, but the Spirit of God had departed from him, and an evil spirit troubled him. He was irritable, and no one could please him. His servants thought that music might soothe him, and they tried to find a good musician. And whom do you suppose they found? Yes, it was David. Someone had heard him play and told the king about him. He said, too, that David was a brave young man, and one whom the king would like to have in his home.

Saul sent a message to Jesse asking if his youngest son might come to the palace to live for a while. Of course, Jesse was glad that the king wanted to honour someone of his family. He quickly fixed a present to send with David, and sent him to the king.

At the Palace

When Saul met David, "he loved him greatly." David was appointed to be the king's armour bearer, which made him a servant who would always be near his ruler. After that, whenever the evil spirit would come upon Saul, David would play sweet music on his harp, and perhaps sing, too, and the spirit would leave.

This was an opportunity for David to learn about the duties of a king. He had always lived in the country and did not know the manners of the court. God had made this way for David to learn what would need to be done when he became the ruler of Israel.

Questions

1. Where did God send Samuel to anoint a king?

2. Why was Samuel afraid of Saul?

3. How did God arrange for the anointing to be made?

4. How many sons did Jesse have?

5. How many passed by Samuel but were rejected?

6. Where was David?

7. What had David been doing besides his regular duties?

8. How did Samuel know David was to be the next king?

9. What did David do after he was anointed?

10. How did David get to the palace of Saul?