May 16, 2025 • 40 mins
Chapter 05 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 1 Samuel 16.
The Forgotten Son - In the small town of Bethlehem, in the rolling green pastures of his father’s house, a hero tends to his sheep, completely unaware of the journey God has for him.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Philippians 4:8, Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you
to join me on this series. Please be sure to
follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so that you
get the newest episodes right as they come out. Welcome
to the Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:21):
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
few know about David the Man. I'm glad you're here
with me as we mind the depths of this renowned tale.
In this episode, the weight is finally over. We finally
get to meet David, the runt of Jesse turned king.
And question may have crossed your mind along the lines
(00:42):
of why is it taking us so long in the
story to finally get to David. This is an important
question that deserves time. The arc of Saul's rise and
fall from grace was a confirmation of everything Samuel warned
the people up. They clamored for king, and Samuel warned
them of how corrupt this king could become. Sure Enough,
the king became corrupt. Saul started out with a pure heart,
(01:05):
but quickly descended into pride. His life is supposed to
make us look at David with skeptical eyes, watching to
see if he will walk down a similar path. No doubt,
David is going to have plenty of opportunities in his
life to follow his pride instead of commands of God.
He will have chances to indulge, stray, and sin. Will
(01:27):
he give in the same way Saul did? Is the
crown just too heavy a weight so that any man
pure or wicked would fail if they wore it. Watch
David's life carefully and see how he handles the intense
pressures of being God's chosen king. But let's not get
ahead of ourselves. We have a lot to get to
before David is ever given a crown. The prelude of
(01:49):
this episode and the beginning of this episode introduce us
to two different shepherds. One was once a prince but
became a shepherd. The other was a shepherd but became
a prince. The parallels in their lives speak to the
heart of God. He isn't looking for a warrior, a scholar,
a noble, or politician to lead his people. He is
looking for a shepherd. Lets meet God's chosen one. In
(02:13):
episode five, The Forgotten.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Sun, prelude to chapter five. The clouds whist blissfully over
the blue skies. It was as if they were traveling
slowly somewhere unknown and untouched. Moses smiled as he watched
them glide over the skies like sailboats on the open ocean.
(02:38):
He lounged in the grass, occasionally glancing over at the
sheep grazing beside him. The life of a shepherd suited him.
All the cares and troubles of being an Egyptian prince
had been a heavy burden. Now in the wilderness with
the people of Midian, he felt at peace. He was
content to be a shepherd. He counted and named the
(02:58):
sheep daily, led them to the fields and gentle streams,
and ensured they were safe from predators. As Moses lounged,
he saw one of the lambs trot away past the
large rocks and up the mountain. Moses stood up and
grabbed a staff. Every lamb was important, and they were
all worth going. After Moses left the other sheep and
(03:19):
began to scale the mountain, the little lamb left Moses's
view as it wandered through the canyons. Moses picked up
the pace, listening to the echoing boss. As Moses reached
the peak, he could see a light emanating from the
dark shadows of the canyons. He gripped his shepherd's staff
tightly and approached slowly. As he turned the corner, a
(03:40):
burst of light danced upwards from a flame. Before Moses
stood a bush ablaze with bright white fire. Although the
fire was burning hot, the bush was untouched and unconsumed.
The ground around him was pulsing with power. Moses could
feel it in his feet. The prince turned shepherd came
closer than halted immediately when he heard a voice. Moses,
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It whispered. The voice was like a still and babbling brook.
His eyes widened, and he looked behind him. The voice
was not coming from another person in the canyon. The
voice was coming from the bush itself, Moses. The voice
said louder this time. The voice had the intensity of
rushing waters. Here I am, Moses said, with a trembling voice.
(04:29):
Moses did not understand that his life of being a
shepherd was about to come to a close. The simple
and endearing days of tending to sheep had ended. Now
Moses was asked to tend to a greater flock God's blog.
The flock of Israel needed to be led into greener
pastures and stiller waters. God would not choose a warrior
(04:50):
to lead them. He would not appoint a king to
march against the armies of Egypt. No God would send
to shepherd. The Lord's heart is the heart of a shepherd.
Chapter five, The Forgotten Son. The wild flowers had tucked
in for the night, and the soft breeze whistled gently
(05:12):
to the plucking of the shepherd's harp. The sheep slept
soundly under the stars, and the young shepherd boy looked up,
basking in the vastness of their beauty. He played a melody.
Only he and the Lord knew. His music was better
to God than incense, for it came straight from the
well of the boy's heart. He worshiped God under the
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stars and among his sheep. However, the tender moment was
quickly disturbed by a rustling in the bushes. The shepherd
boy put down his harp and grabbed his staff resting
underneath the cyphress tree. Slowly he approached the bush with
his staff grip tightly. As he drew closer, he could
hear the low pitched purrs of a lion. Its groaning
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was so deep the boy could feel it in his chest.
He paused and reached back for his sling. It was
a humble weapon, but effective. His aim had become precise,
and the speed of the stone made it so he
could send a stone flying straight through the skull of
a wolf. As he was arming himself with a stone,
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the lion burst forth from the bushes, right over the shepherd.
Its hind legs were massive, allowing it to soar over
the boy with ease. It led forward into the flock
of sheep. They scattered, but not before the lion took
one of the lambs in its mouth. The dark covering
of night made it hard for the shepherd to see. However,
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he could hear the painful cries of his lamb. The
lion made a run for it, with the lamb alive
in his jaws. The boy did not think. He acted
upon his shepherdly instincts and ran after the lion. He
ran with vigor and tenacity. He followed the cries of
the sheep all the way to the canyons outside the city.
The darkness of night was beginning to melt as the
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sun began its ascent. The dim lightled out the shepherd
to see the lion scaling a cliff. The lion scaled
the mountain with ease, with the lamb still crying.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Out for help.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
The shepherd scaled up the mountain on all fours until
finally reaching the mouth of the lion's den. He paused,
listening to the echoing shrieks of his sheep intermixed with
the low roars of the lion. His heart was beating
furiously fast, his breathing was heavy and rare. Now that
the lamb had been taken to the den, time was
running out. The boy stepped forward at the mouth of
(07:30):
the den, right in the eye line of the lion.
The beast rose and crouched into an attack position. The
shepherd steadied his breathing and reached back for his sling.
He placed the smooth stone in the leather hold and
began to swing the sling behind him. He had one
shot at the lion, only one. He pivoted his foot back,
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bent his front knee, and prepared for the first strike.
If the lion attacked first, it was over. He must
be the first one to act. The boy burst forward
with the sling still swinging behind him. The lion took
the bait and pounced forward, exposing its underbelly. The shepherd
released the sling, sending the stone whistling through the air.
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The stone landed directly into the beast tents, cracking them instantly.
The lion's momentum was halted as it crumbled to the ground.
The boy took action, immediately, pouncing on the lion fearlessly.
He wrapped his legs around its neck and took his
hands on either side of its job. The young shepherd
roared as he pulled the jaws over the free of
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his hand. Once he was free, the boy scooped up
the lamb and burst out of the cave, not before
being slashed in the back.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
But the giant's pause, he.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Kept moving without looking back. He ran as the roaring
of the lion ballowed in the distance. Although his back
was dripping with blood, all he cared about was the
safety of his little lamb. The lion leaped forward out
of the cave and corned the shack and his little lamb.
Hobbling with a broken rib, The lion made the first wave,
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slashing its paws at the boy with the heart of
a protector. The boy dropped his lamb and leapt forward,
wrapping his arms around the lion's neck. It raged against
the boy, trying desperately to free itself. However, the shepherd
would not let go. He arched his back and screamed
into the canyons. The lion roared before falling to the
(09:26):
ground and loosing its breath. The shepherd did not loosen
his grip until the lion's life was taken. It would
never harm his sheep began, he made sure of it.
The sun made its way over the horizon, sprang light
over the hills. The wild flowers stretched out their petals
and yawned. The boy limped his way up the hill
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where the rest of his flock was. His sheep were
grazing on the grass, enjoying the morning dew on each blade.
He set the little lamb down beside her mother. Heed
the lamb's body for gashes or teeth marks. Luckily, her
wounds were not deep. She would heal just fine. The
boy was pleased with himself, However, he was very much
(10:11):
in pain. He reached over his shoulder and placed his
hand on the wound the lion had slashed at his
left shoulder blade, creating a nasty scratch. His hand was
covered in blood. He didn't mind. It was a small
price to pay for his lamb's freedom. He was a
good shepherd, and a good shepherd always lays down his
(10:32):
life for his sheep. The boy made his way back home.
His light hair was dusty and ragged, and his face
was covered in dirt. He limped into his father's house
and washed his face and feet with the basin of water.
The home was warm from the fire, and the smell
of rosemary filled the air from the stew cooking over it.
He took a cloth and began to tend to his wound.
(10:55):
He damped it gently, wincing with every touch. What did
you do now, a voice asked from the other side
of the room. His oldest brother, Eliap, was eating casually
in the corner. The boy smirked.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
You wouldn't believe me if I told.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
You, he said, still tending to the wound. Another brother
named Abinadab entered in, barely noticing him as he took
the ladle and filled his ball with stew. He glanced
over and smiled.
Speaker 5 (11:21):
Did a little mouse lose a fight with one of
his sheep?
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Again? He scoffed, Eliab laughed. The two of them ate
at the table, chuckling at their youngest brother's pain. You
must know it was a lion, the boy mumbled quietly.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
He tried to take one of our lambs, but I
was able to wrestle it out of his jaws and
save it.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
As he was saying this, the boy's father entered in
with the rest of his brothers. His name was Jesse,
and he was an influential man in the city. He
had accumulated a small amount of wealth from his farm
in Bethlehem. He was tall, strong and calloused.
Speaker 6 (11:57):
What did I tell you about telling lies?
Speaker 2 (11:59):
He scored. His deep and resonating voice shook the room
when he entered.
Speaker 6 (12:04):
I will not have you parading yourself around like a
hero when you and I both know you did nothing
of the sort.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
It did happen. Father, Go and see the teeth marks
in the lamb for yourself.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
The boy replied, However, his words fell on deaf ears.
His father sat down with his brothers. Together they discussed
Eliap's promotion in the ranks of Saul. The boy stood
to his feet and walked outside. His back was sore,
but he knew it would heal. He grabbed his shepherd's
staff and walked up the hill into the sheep's pasture.
(12:36):
He turned his face towards the sun and closed his eyes.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Oh Lord, you have searched me, and you know me.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
He whispered. The soft breeze caressed his cheek. The boy
smiled and looked down at his flock. He knew the
meach by name. He knew their quirks, their personalities, and
who they got along with. He knew his sheep, and
they knew him.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
What a joy it is to be known.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
He whispered to himself. That night, the shepherd picked up
his harp that was still resting under the cypress tree.
He plucked it, joyfully, singing songs of praise to God.
As he played, he looked up again of the vast
heavens and rejoiced.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
Praise him, Sun and Moon, Praise him, all you shining stars.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
He sang. His voice was filled with emotion. Tears fell
down his smiling face. The Lord was his shepherd, and
he nestled in closely to him, like a little lamb
sleeping under the stars. Under the same stars, Samuel bowed
before God. His heart ached over the fallen state of
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Saul's heart. The people had cried out for a king,
and what had been set in motion could not be undone.
In the dead of night, under the twinkling lights, Samuel
sought wisdom from the Lord. The gentle voice of God
spoke to the heart of Samuel, saying.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
How long will you lament over Saul? I have rejected him,
and now it is time to meet my chosen king.
Fill your horn with oil and go to Jesse, the
Bethlehemite among his sons. You will meet the new king of.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Israel for the first time in a long time. Samuel
was afraid. Since their last meeting, Saul's mind and heart
had grown increasingly more paranoid and harsh. He would send
small platoons of his men to march around the perimeter
of Samuel's home to keep track of him. He feared
if he went and anointed a new king that Saul
(14:46):
would find out and kill him. Samuel dug his hands
into the dirt and lifted his eyes to heaven.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
How can I move without Saul flinching? If I depart
from here and make it known that I am searching
for a new king, surely Saul will kill me.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
The Lord spoke softly to his chosen prophet. His voice
was like fresh water trickling in from a stream. Samuel
listened like he would a song.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Fear not, Samuel, take a heifer with you to bethleemb
and say that you have come to make a sacrifice
to the Lord. Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. When you arrived,
I will guide you and show you what to do.
When the time is right, you shall anoint the one
(15:35):
I have.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Declared to be king. Samuel nodded. A resolute peace filled
his heart. When he first anointed Saul as king, it
was because the people demanded it. However, now he was
searching for a king that God had already chosen from
the beginning. Samuel took a heifer and made his way
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to Bethlehem. Samuel led the heifer in on a rope
through the market place of Bethlehem. People whispered to each
other as he passed by. They knew who he was,
and they were afraid. Word of what Samuel had done
the king agant spread and they feared the prophet was
now on a campaign of justice. The elders approached Samuel trepidaciously,
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Do you come in peace, they asked, with trembling brows.
Samuel paused for a moment. Among the elders of the
city was Jesse. The prophet smirked, amused at God's perfect timing. Yes,
my sons, I come in peace, he said, with a grin.
I have come here to make a peace offering to
the Lord and hold a feast. Consecrate yourselves and join
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me as I worship. Then we will hold a feast
in Jesse's home and enjoy the remainder of the sacrifice.
Jesse's eyes widened. It was a great honor to be
asked by the prophet to share a ceremonial meal. He
had heard that King Saul once joined Samuel for such
an event before he was anointed as king. Jesse pondered
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the prophet's reasons for holding the feast in his home.
His home was not the largest, nor was he the
most prominent elder in Bethlehem. Jesse hurried home and prepared
everything for Samuel and the other elders. An altar was
consecrated for Samuel to make a sacrifice, and the kitchens
were made ready for the feast. Jesse and his wife
busied themselves for hours ensuring everything was perfect for the night,
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Jesse gathered his sons and daughters and spoke with them.
His sons Eliab abinedab Shama, nethanal Radye, and Ozom stood
at attention silently. His daughters Zuruayah and Abigail sat at
his feet. However, the youngest son was not in attendance.
Speaker 6 (17:43):
All must be perfect for the Prophet. Jesse demanded, This
home will be like a temple to the holiest man
in Israel. You are all to attend him and hold
yourselves with honor.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Jesse then turned to Eliab and grabbed his shoulders.
Speaker 6 (17:58):
Eliab, my son, you are the pride and honor of
this family. You are my eldest and a true warrior.
You shall sit beside the Prophet tonight. Hold yourself with dignity,
for I perceive the Prophet is here for more reasons
than making a sacrifice.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Eliab nodded regally, and the rest of the children nodded
in agreement. The sacrifice had been made. With the elders
and Jesse's sons in attendance. Samuel stood over the flames
on the altar and lifted his voice to the Lord.
He made himself attentive to the voice of God, for
he knew that it was now time to meet the
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new king of Israel. He turned and gestured for them
to make their way to the home of Jesse. He
walked behind them, observing each son that marched beside Jesse.
They were impressive young men. They walked with confidence in
their steps. As they all sat down to eat, Samuel
noticed Jesse's oldest son, Eliab, sitting beside him. As the
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day drew on, the old prophet observed every word that
came out of Eliab's mouth. He spoke like a noble.
It had the strong back of a warrior. He stood
taller than the rest of his brothers, and his personality
seemed to be even taller. He laughed with the elders,
making relatable jokes and jabs at them. However, he was
also able to speak of politics, war, and the strategy
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of King Saul.
Speaker 6 (19:22):
Surely he must be the one God has.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Chosen, Samuel thought to himself.
Speaker 6 (19:27):
He has all the makings of a young king.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Among the clanging of dishes and laughs of the guests,
Samuel heard a still and quiet voice, like a whisper
of beckoning him away from the feast, he heard God speak, saying, look.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Past his height in appearance, Samuel, I have rejected the
man you see before you. For man sees the outward appearance.
They see the strength of the man's arms and the
way he carries a sword. But the Lord looks into
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the heart.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Samuel bowed his head for a moment, closing his eyes
and resentering his mind on the heart of God. He
desperately desired to see what God saw. He did not
want to see yet another Saul darken the palace halls.
He could not bear it, Jesse, Samuel said, beckoning him over.
Jesse quickly made his way over to Samuel's side to
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the table.
Speaker 6 (20:25):
Bring all your sons to me. I wish to see.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Them, Jesse smiled brightly. Samuel could tell that his sons
were his pride and joy. He was pleased to bring
them before the prophet. Samuel looked at them closely. Alieb A, Bennedab, Shama,
nethaneal rad Eye, and Ozom all stood at attention before
the sitting prophet. Samuel stood to his feet and walked
(20:50):
up to them. Since the Lord had rejected Aliab, he
moved on to a Bennedab. He grabbed his hand and
peered into his eyes. Samuel's brow furrowed with concentration. He
looked with the eyes of God, trying to peer into
the heart and soul of the man standing before him.
Neither has the Lord chosen this one, Samuel whispered to himself.
(21:11):
A Benedeb looked at his father in confusion. Jesse simply shrugged.
None of them knew what Samuel was up to. The
old prophet stood before Shamah. Although he was shorter than Eliab,
he was clearly more built than the rest of his brothers.
His hands were rugged from his recent admission into the
ranks of Saul. Samuel scanned him up and down, then
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looked closely into his eyes. He shook his head.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
Nor this one, he whispered.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
The Lord had clearly rejected all the sons of Jesse
that were before him. Samuel sighed and scratched his head
in confusion.
Speaker 6 (21:47):
Jesse, are these all your sons? He asked, Ah, there
is still the youngest. However, he is keeping the sheep
and the pasture. You would not want to meet him anyway.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Jesse and the rest of his sons chuckled. Where is your,
Samuel asked, calmly, over.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
The hill just beyond the stables. The boy takes the
sheep all throughout the hills and valleys beyond our property. However,
today I would imagine he is plucking his silly harp
under the cypress tree. I would not bother with him.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Jesse's ambivalence toward his youngest son's surprise Samuel. He had
such pride in his other sons, it was odd that
he would forget one of them. Samuel bowed his head
to Jesse and the other sons.
Speaker 6 (22:29):
I shall be on my way. Thank you for your hospitality.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Jesse and his sons bowed before Samuel and thanked him.
Samuel picked up his staff and wandered past the stables
and up the grassy hill. The wild flowers were in
full bloom arrange, the grassy hills in splendor. Soft music
could be heard from a distance. Samuel smiled as he
looked at the flowers swaying back and forth in the breeze.
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It was as if they were dancing to the music.
Samuel he made his way up the hill. Sheep were
grazing lazily in the mild sun. The music seemed to
soothe them. Samuel looked around for the source of the melodies.
Underneath the cypress tree in the shade was the shepherd
boy Jesse spoke of. He leaned his back against the
trunk of the tree, strumming his harp to the same
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tempo of the wind. Samuel approached the tree, trying not
to interrupt the boy's playing. He sat on the stone,
only a few yards away from where the boy lounged.
The old prophet leaned back and observed him. He could
not have been any older than sixteen. His long hair
was lighter than his brother's. He was not as looming
(23:39):
as his oldest brother Eliab. However, he was very handsome
and ruddy in appearance. Samuel was content to be silent
for a while and listened to the music. The song
was a bomb. It was weary and downcast soul. The
boy's music was emotional and somber, yet filled with an
unwavering joy. Clearly, it was a song written from the heart.
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As the song gently came to a close, Samuel leaned
over as he sat and cleared his throat. The boy
jumped back and grabbed his staff, who are you, the
young shepherd said quickly. Samuel laughed and waved his hands.
Speaker 6 (24:17):
I'm sorry if I startled you, my son, Please do
not be alarmed. I come in peace.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
The boy lowered his staff and looked at the man
up and down.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
You must be the prophet I heard about. I could
hear my father clamoring to my family about you from here.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
The boy bowed a knee in respect. Samuel peered at
the boy for a long while before speaking again.
Speaker 6 (24:41):
Tell me why were you not in attendance at the feast,
he asked.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
The boy shrugged.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
I am only a shepherd, he replied. I suppose my
place is among my sheep.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
In that moment, Samuel felt a surge of God's joy
well up from within him, as if the voice of
God was striking like lightning in his mind. He could
hear the Lord.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
Say, arise, anoint him, for this is the one I
have chosen.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
Samuel stood in front of the boy.
Speaker 6 (25:12):
Surely you are not only a shepherd. What is your name, David?
He replied, Kneel before the Lord, David, for the Lord
desires to bless you.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Samuel took his horn of oil and anointed David's head
and the spirit of God rushed upon the shepherd boy
like a mighty tempest. A surge of courageous fire burned
within David's belly. Although David hadn't the slightest clue why
Samuel had anointed him, he knew that from that day forward,
the Lord had destined him for great things. Samuel departed
(25:46):
and went to Rama, pleased about who God had chosen.
He knew that he did not have to bring David
before the people as he once did with Saul. He
knew that in God's timing, David would be more than
just a shepherd to his sheep, a shepherd over the
flock of Israel. Samuel chuckled to himself as he departed Bethlehem.
God chose an unremarkable city and an unremarkable young man
(26:10):
to accomplish his purposes. He truly did choose the unexpected
things of this world to display his power. Ah a
cry of frustration could be heard from the dark halls
of the King's palace. The clanging of thrown lamp stands
and broken pots echoed throughout the property. All the servants
(26:30):
knew that it was Saul again. His outbursts of anger
in the night had been regular occurrences. They listened as
the king raged in his throne room, and evil and
dark spirit had overcome him. Since the spirit of the
Lord had departed from Saul's presence, a brooding and harmful
tormentor had taken residence in his mind. Tears ran down
(26:51):
Saul's frustrated face as he leaned against the wall, banging
his fists against them. The king fell to his knees
and sobbed. He was ashamed of his anger and angry
at his shame. Saul ceased his wailing when he heard
the door slowly creak open. Samuel, the King asked frantically.
(27:12):
Saul's servant poked his head.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
In no, my lord, it is I tavvy.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Saul wiped his eyes and stood to his feet. Sweat
dripped down his back and brow. He was a haggard sight.
What is it, Tavey, Saul said, with a tired voice.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
It is clear that a harmful spirit is tormenting you.
I know a young man from Bethlehem who is able
to play the liar and harp. He is very skilled
and of good reputation for his music. He's a smart
young man, and I hear He's courageous as well. When
you feel out of control and frustrated, he can play
for you and you give received peace.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Saul sighed and leaned back in his throne. Very well,
the king said, while rubbing his eyes. Send him to me.
Perhaps music will give me peace. Tavvy rode into Bethlehem,
into the home of Jesse. Jesse was pleased to see
a servant of the king.
Speaker 6 (28:09):
Present, first a prophet, and now a servant of the king.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Jesse thought to himself, the Lord must.
Speaker 6 (28:15):
Favor me greatly.
Speaker 5 (28:17):
Good morning, Jesse, how are you and your sons?
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Tavvy asked graciously, farewell, my lord.
Speaker 6 (28:24):
To what do I owe the presence of the king's servant?
Speaker 5 (28:27):
The King requires your son's presence. What if his skill
has traveled far?
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Jesse puffed his chest up with pride, With his hands
on his waist and a smile on his face, he said.
Speaker 6 (28:38):
Eliab is truly skilled, isn't he. I'm sure the king
would benefit from having a strong right hand such as his.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
Tavvy shook his head.
Speaker 5 (28:47):
No, sir, the youngest of yours, David is his name.
If I'm not mistaken, The king is in need of
his skills. As a musician.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Jesse looked over his shoulder. David was shearing a few
of the sheep under the state. A slight snarl left
his upper lip. David, the runt of the litter, was
going to receive the highest honor anyone in his family
ever received. Jesse turned around. His snarl was replaced with
the fraudulent smile. He bowed and said.
Speaker 6 (29:18):
David will be in the presence of the King with
his lyre in two days time.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Tavvy bowed his head and rode off. David creaked open
the large wooden doors into the throne room. None of
the lamp stands were lit, and the fire in the
center of the room was flickering dimly. The shepherd boy
approached the throne softly with the lyre in his hands.
Laying back in the shadows was the King. Even with
(29:44):
his tired and tormented demeanor, his presence was larger than
life to David. He noticed the king's massive armor and
sword mounted above his throne. They reflected the flickering firelight,
bouncing right back into David's eyes. The low was magnificent.
The echoes of David's footsteps came to a halt as
(30:05):
he bowed before the king. Saul's eyes scanned David up
and down. I hear your music calms the soul, shepherd boy,
Saul slurred.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
Only the Lord can calm the soul, my king.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
David replied, respectfully.
Speaker 4 (30:21):
The music I play is unto him, and in his
delight the peace pours forth.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
So you were a poet as well, Saul scoffed. The
Lord's delight is fickle, boy. One day you have it,
the other you don't. David did not reply to Saul's outburst.
He simply sat on the stool beside the fire and
began to strum. The anthem coming from David's lyre was
(30:50):
pure and heartfelt. The song seemed to touch Saul's heart
like a warm fire. The highs and lows of the
song took the king on an emotional journey, finally finishing
in a place of rest. When David was finished playing,
Saul felt as if he was resting in the fields
of green by quiet streams. He breathed in deeply and
(31:12):
fell asleep. David smiled, pleased that his music was able
to bring peace to Saul. He stood up and put
another log on the fire. Its small flame increased, filling
the room with warmth. David set himself again and continued
to play. The King was pleased with him and loved
him like his own son. Saul sent word to Jesse
(31:36):
asking for him to remain in his service as his
armor bear. So whenever Saul felt tormented by the evil
spear within, he would call on David to quiet the beast.
David was pleased to serve his king. He found in
him the recognition he had always longed for in his
own father. Nothing was sweeter than sitting in the presence
(31:56):
of the King playing his music. Unto the Lord, he
prayed it would never cease.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Just how far would a shepherd go for his lamb?
For David, it was into the mouth of the lion's den.
In the episode leading up to this one, we're told
that God has chosen someone who is after his own heart.
Not only is God seeking a man who pursues the
heart of God, but also someone who models his heart
(32:26):
after God's. The scene of David's pursuing the lion gives
us a brilliant glimpse into his heart. He is brave, tender,
fierce when needed, and humble. But we must not glaze
over the most important quality of David. He is willing
to die for his sheep. The story tells us that
the scratch on his back was a small price to
(32:48):
pay for his lamb's freedom. He was a good shepherd,
and a good shepherd always lays down his life for
his sheep. This is our first of many allusions to Jesus,
who calls himself a good shepherd. David's story is going
to continually point forward to the ultimate chosen hero of God,
Jesus Christ. We're going to spend a lot of time
(33:09):
getting to know David in this series. In many ways,
I hope we grow with him, falling deeper in love
with God in the process. He is going to have triumphs, tragedies,
and many adventures. As we witness the highs and lows
of David's life, we must always remember our first impression
of him with the lion. This episode depicts him as
(33:30):
a warrior poet. One moment, he is writing music under
the stars, the next he is strangling a lion with
his bare hands. David is simultaneously fierce and inspired. We
should keep this dichotomy in mind when we follow David
on his escapades. He is a sensitive soul, but it
does not mean he isn't dangerous. David is clearly capable
(33:52):
of great things, like taking down a wild beast, but
he would much rather be singing to the Lord among
the chief. David has no ambition for the throne. He
simply wants to be near to God and protect his flock.
David's balance of faithfulness and fierceness are what make him
an excellent shepherd, and it will make him an excellent
king as well. After a long day, David leans back
(34:15):
and sings to God. Praise him, Sun and Moon, Praise him,
all you shining stars. This song is taken from Psalm
one eight. In this series, we will get to hear
a few psalms of David. He wrote seventy three psalms
that we know of, and they are all beautiful, raw
and profound songs from his heart to God's. It is
(34:36):
important for us to remember that David was first and
foremost a shepherd and poet. He was also a worship
leader before the Congregation of Israel. The multiple layers of
David make him a unique character in scripture. Many of
the figures in the Bible before David were singularly focused.
Their stories were more focused and less nuanced than David's.
(35:00):
Our first deep dive into a man with diverse interest.
He is the Bible's first renaissance man. David may be
interesting to us, but his family doesn't seem to think so.
One of the more perplexing mysteries of David's story is
why his father and brothers seem to have so much
contempt for him. One of the reasons that David may
have been forgotten and ridiculed is that he was illegitimate,
(35:24):
that is, born out of wedlock, since he himself says
in sin, my mother conceived me. At the end of
the episode, David is grafted into the household of Saul
as his alma bear and personal musician. David finds a
great deal of purpose and comfort in the house of
Saul and eventually becomes his literal son through marriage. Father
(35:45):
wounds are a clear theme in David's life. At first,
he finds the fatherly attention from Saul that he lacked
from his own father. This causes him to be loyal
to a fault. Later on in the story, we will
see David forgiving Saul in David is a great man,
but we will occasionally see glimpses of his inner child,
(36:06):
who was neglected by his father. But the loving embrace
of God will fill the gaps in David's life better
than any father could. An obvious example of this neglect
is when Samuel comes to Jesse's house. I want you
to imagine the most important person in your country coming
to your home and you purposefuly send one of your
(36:27):
kids away. This should give you a good idea of
where David stood with his family. God had sights on him, though,
and Samuel eventually found him. David's brothers had similar qualities
to Saul. They were large, charismatic, and outwardly had the
qualities of a king. When people look for leaders, they
can look for the wrong things. But God looks at
(36:49):
the heart. God tells Samuel look past the height and appearance.
For man sees the outward appearance. They see the strength
of the man's arms and the way he carries the sword.
But the Lord looks into his heart. David is not
a perfect person. He, like Saul, will make many mistakes
in his life. The difference that God sees between David
(37:10):
and Saul is the heart. We would be wise to
take personal inventory of our own hearts? Do we do
all the right things for God all the while neglecting
our own inner hearts. This is part of why pray
dot com is such an invaluable resource. There are hours
of content that seeks to tend to your hearts like
a garden, so they might thrive and grow. Samuel bids
(37:34):
Jesse and the other brothers farewell and turns his gaze
upward to the hills. Do you remember how beautiful the
description of the hill was. The wildflowers were in full bloom,
arraying the grassy hills in splendor. Soft music could be
heard from a distance. Samuel smiled as he looked at
the flowers swaying back and forth in the breeze. It
(37:57):
was as if they were dancing to the music. Samuel
made his way up the hill. Sheep were grazing lazily
in the mild sun. The music seemed to soothe them.
This description is supposed to elicit feelings of Eden in us.
Samuel steps into this harmonious space where heaven and earth
(38:17):
seem to converge. David is a picture of Jesus among
the people of God, leading them with a soothing melody
of peace. It is a heavenly image followed by a
heavenly blessing that is given to David. Samuel annoints his
head with oil, which is a symbol of God's spirit.
David was changed. From that moment. We are immediately taken
(38:39):
away from the scene of heaven and brought into hell.
Saul's chambers are dark, chaotic, and tormenting. The scene with
David jumping to the scene of Saul is supposed to
be jarring for us and a reminder that the veil
between peace and chaos is thin. Saul is tormented by
an evil spirit without comfort, everyone around him pain, and
(39:01):
Kavi seeks to give him ease. David is brought into
the darkness to bring the peace and light of God.
This is an image of what Jesus does to us.
He steps into our darkness and brings comfort. He sings
the song of Grace over us and soothes our anxious minds.
The relationship between Saul and David will be a complicated one.
As I mentioned before, Saul would be like a father
(39:23):
to David, but that closeness will come at a cost.
Everyone close to Saul end up hurt by him, and
David will be no different In the next three episodes,
we will see the ups and downs of their relationship.
We will also get to witness David fall in love,
make bonds, and vanquished enemies, but first we will watch
(39:45):
him slay a giant. Follow the podcast on Apple or
Spotify to get the newest episodes right as they come out,
and always be inspired by the Bible. Join us next
time for the episode we have all been waiting for,
David and Goliath.
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you
to join me on this series. Please be sure to
follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so that you
get the newest episodes right as they come out. Welcome
to the Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:21):
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
few know about David the Man. I'm glad you're here
with me as we mind the depths of this renowned tale.
In this episode, the weight is finally over. We finally
get to meet David, the runt of Jesse turned king.
And question may have crossed your mind along the lines
(00:42):
of why is it taking us so long in the
story to finally get to David. This is an important
question that deserves time. The arc of Saul's rise and
fall from grace was a confirmation of everything Samuel warned
the people up. They clamored for king, and Samuel warned
them of how corrupt this king could become. Sure Enough,
the king became corrupt. Saul started out with a pure heart,
(01:05):
but quickly descended into pride. His life is supposed to
make us look at David with skeptical eyes, watching to
see if he will walk down a similar path. No doubt,
David is going to have plenty of opportunities in his
life to follow his pride instead of commands of God.
He will have chances to indulge, stray, and sin. Will
(01:27):
he give in the same way Saul did? Is the
crown just too heavy a weight so that any man
pure or wicked would fail if they wore it. Watch
David's life carefully and see how he handles the intense
pressures of being God's chosen king. But let's not get
ahead of ourselves. We have a lot to get to
before David is ever given a crown. The prelude of
(01:49):
this episode and the beginning of this episode introduce us
to two different shepherds. One was once a prince but
became a shepherd. The other was a shepherd but became
a prince. The parallels in their lives speak to the
heart of God. He isn't looking for a warrior, a scholar,
a noble, or politician to lead his people. He is
looking for a shepherd. Lets meet God's chosen one. In
(02:13):
episode five, The Forgotten.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Sun, prelude to chapter five. The clouds whist blissfully over
the blue skies. It was as if they were traveling
slowly somewhere unknown and untouched. Moses smiled as he watched
them glide over the skies like sailboats on the open ocean.
(02:38):
He lounged in the grass, occasionally glancing over at the
sheep grazing beside him. The life of a shepherd suited him.
All the cares and troubles of being an Egyptian prince
had been a heavy burden. Now in the wilderness with
the people of Midian, he felt at peace. He was
content to be a shepherd. He counted and named the
(02:58):
sheep daily, led them to the fields and gentle streams,
and ensured they were safe from predators. As Moses lounged,
he saw one of the lambs trot away past the
large rocks and up the mountain. Moses stood up and
grabbed a staff. Every lamb was important, and they were
all worth going. After Moses left the other sheep and
(03:19):
began to scale the mountain, the little lamb left Moses's
view as it wandered through the canyons. Moses picked up
the pace, listening to the echoing boss. As Moses reached
the peak, he could see a light emanating from the
dark shadows of the canyons. He gripped his shepherd's staff
tightly and approached slowly. As he turned the corner, a
(03:40):
burst of light danced upwards from a flame. Before Moses
stood a bush ablaze with bright white fire. Although the
fire was burning hot, the bush was untouched and unconsumed.
The ground around him was pulsing with power. Moses could
feel it in his feet. The prince turned shepherd came
closer than halted immediately when he heard a voice. Moses,
(04:04):
It whispered. The voice was like a still and babbling brook.
His eyes widened, and he looked behind him. The voice
was not coming from another person in the canyon. The
voice was coming from the bush itself, Moses. The voice
said louder this time. The voice had the intensity of
rushing waters. Here I am, Moses said, with a trembling voice.
(04:29):
Moses did not understand that his life of being a
shepherd was about to come to a close. The simple
and endearing days of tending to sheep had ended. Now
Moses was asked to tend to a greater flock God's blog.
The flock of Israel needed to be led into greener
pastures and stiller waters. God would not choose a warrior
(04:50):
to lead them. He would not appoint a king to
march against the armies of Egypt. No God would send
to shepherd. The Lord's heart is the heart of a shepherd.
Chapter five, The Forgotten Son. The wild flowers had tucked
in for the night, and the soft breeze whistled gently
(05:12):
to the plucking of the shepherd's harp. The sheep slept
soundly under the stars, and the young shepherd boy looked up,
basking in the vastness of their beauty. He played a melody.
Only he and the Lord knew. His music was better
to God than incense, for it came straight from the
well of the boy's heart. He worshiped God under the
(05:33):
stars and among his sheep. However, the tender moment was
quickly disturbed by a rustling in the bushes. The shepherd
boy put down his harp and grabbed his staff resting
underneath the cyphress tree. Slowly he approached the bush with
his staff grip tightly. As he drew closer, he could
hear the low pitched purrs of a lion. Its groaning
(05:54):
was so deep the boy could feel it in his chest.
He paused and reached back for his sling. It was
a humble weapon, but effective. His aim had become precise,
and the speed of the stone made it so he
could send a stone flying straight through the skull of
a wolf. As he was arming himself with a stone,
(06:15):
the lion burst forth from the bushes, right over the shepherd.
Its hind legs were massive, allowing it to soar over
the boy with ease. It led forward into the flock
of sheep. They scattered, but not before the lion took
one of the lambs in its mouth. The dark covering
of night made it hard for the shepherd to see. However,
(06:35):
he could hear the painful cries of his lamb. The
lion made a run for it, with the lamb alive
in his jaws. The boy did not think. He acted
upon his shepherdly instincts and ran after the lion. He
ran with vigor and tenacity. He followed the cries of
the sheep all the way to the canyons outside the city.
The darkness of night was beginning to melt as the
(06:57):
sun began its ascent. The dim lightled out the shepherd
to see the lion scaling a cliff. The lion scaled
the mountain with ease, with the lamb still crying.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Out for help.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
The shepherd scaled up the mountain on all fours until
finally reaching the mouth of the lion's den. He paused,
listening to the echoing shrieks of his sheep intermixed with
the low roars of the lion. His heart was beating
furiously fast, his breathing was heavy and rare. Now that
the lamb had been taken to the den, time was
running out. The boy stepped forward at the mouth of
(07:30):
the den, right in the eye line of the lion.
The beast rose and crouched into an attack position. The
shepherd steadied his breathing and reached back for his sling.
He placed the smooth stone in the leather hold and
began to swing the sling behind him. He had one
shot at the lion, only one. He pivoted his foot back,
(07:52):
bent his front knee, and prepared for the first strike.
If the lion attacked first, it was over. He must
be the first one to act. The boy burst forward
with the sling still swinging behind him. The lion took
the bait and pounced forward, exposing its underbelly. The shepherd
released the sling, sending the stone whistling through the air.
(08:14):
The stone landed directly into the beast tents, cracking them instantly.
The lion's momentum was halted as it crumbled to the ground.
The boy took action, immediately, pouncing on the lion fearlessly.
He wrapped his legs around its neck and took his
hands on either side of its job. The young shepherd
roared as he pulled the jaws over the free of
(08:35):
his hand. Once he was free, the boy scooped up
the lamb and burst out of the cave, not before
being slashed in the back.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
But the giant's pause, he.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Kept moving without looking back. He ran as the roaring
of the lion ballowed in the distance. Although his back
was dripping with blood, all he cared about was the
safety of his little lamb. The lion leaped forward out
of the cave and corned the shack and his little lamb.
Hobbling with a broken rib, The lion made the first wave,
(09:05):
slashing its paws at the boy with the heart of
a protector. The boy dropped his lamb and leapt forward,
wrapping his arms around the lion's neck. It raged against
the boy, trying desperately to free itself. However, the shepherd
would not let go. He arched his back and screamed
into the canyons. The lion roared before falling to the
(09:26):
ground and loosing its breath. The shepherd did not loosen
his grip until the lion's life was taken. It would
never harm his sheep began, he made sure of it.
The sun made its way over the horizon, sprang light
over the hills. The wild flowers stretched out their petals
and yawned. The boy limped his way up the hill
(09:49):
where the rest of his flock was. His sheep were
grazing on the grass, enjoying the morning dew on each blade.
He set the little lamb down beside her mother. Heed
the lamb's body for gashes or teeth marks. Luckily, her
wounds were not deep. She would heal just fine. The
boy was pleased with himself, However, he was very much
(10:11):
in pain. He reached over his shoulder and placed his
hand on the wound the lion had slashed at his
left shoulder blade, creating a nasty scratch. His hand was
covered in blood. He didn't mind. It was a small
price to pay for his lamb's freedom. He was a
good shepherd, and a good shepherd always lays down his
(10:32):
life for his sheep. The boy made his way back home.
His light hair was dusty and ragged, and his face
was covered in dirt. He limped into his father's house
and washed his face and feet with the basin of water.
The home was warm from the fire, and the smell
of rosemary filled the air from the stew cooking over it.
He took a cloth and began to tend to his wound.
(10:55):
He damped it gently, wincing with every touch. What did
you do now, a voice asked from the other side
of the room. His oldest brother, Eliap, was eating casually
in the corner. The boy smirked.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
You wouldn't believe me if I told.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
You, he said, still tending to the wound. Another brother
named Abinadab entered in, barely noticing him as he took
the ladle and filled his ball with stew. He glanced
over and smiled.
Speaker 5 (11:21):
Did a little mouse lose a fight with one of
his sheep?
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Again? He scoffed, Eliab laughed. The two of them ate
at the table, chuckling at their youngest brother's pain. You
must know it was a lion, the boy mumbled quietly.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
He tried to take one of our lambs, but I
was able to wrestle it out of his jaws and
save it.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
As he was saying this, the boy's father entered in
with the rest of his brothers. His name was Jesse,
and he was an influential man in the city. He
had accumulated a small amount of wealth from his farm
in Bethlehem. He was tall, strong and calloused.
Speaker 6 (11:57):
What did I tell you about telling lies?
Speaker 2 (11:59):
He scored. His deep and resonating voice shook the room
when he entered.
Speaker 6 (12:04):
I will not have you parading yourself around like a
hero when you and I both know you did nothing
of the sort.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
It did happen. Father, Go and see the teeth marks
in the lamb for yourself.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
The boy replied, However, his words fell on deaf ears.
His father sat down with his brothers. Together they discussed
Eliap's promotion in the ranks of Saul. The boy stood
to his feet and walked outside. His back was sore,
but he knew it would heal. He grabbed his shepherd's
staff and walked up the hill into the sheep's pasture.
(12:36):
He turned his face towards the sun and closed his eyes.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Oh Lord, you have searched me, and you know me.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
He whispered. The soft breeze caressed his cheek. The boy
smiled and looked down at his flock. He knew the
meach by name. He knew their quirks, their personalities, and
who they got along with. He knew his sheep, and
they knew him.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
What a joy it is to be known.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
He whispered to himself. That night, the shepherd picked up
his harp that was still resting under the cypress tree.
He plucked it, joyfully, singing songs of praise to God.
As he played, he looked up again of the vast
heavens and rejoiced.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
Praise him, Sun and Moon, Praise him, all you shining stars.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
He sang. His voice was filled with emotion. Tears fell
down his smiling face. The Lord was his shepherd, and
he nestled in closely to him, like a little lamb
sleeping under the stars. Under the same stars, Samuel bowed
before God. His heart ached over the fallen state of
(13:47):
Saul's heart. The people had cried out for a king,
and what had been set in motion could not be undone.
In the dead of night, under the twinkling lights, Samuel
sought wisdom from the Lord. The gentle voice of God
spoke to the heart of Samuel, saying.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
How long will you lament over Saul? I have rejected him,
and now it is time to meet my chosen king.
Fill your horn with oil and go to Jesse, the
Bethlehemite among his sons. You will meet the new king of.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Israel for the first time in a long time. Samuel
was afraid. Since their last meeting, Saul's mind and heart
had grown increasingly more paranoid and harsh. He would send
small platoons of his men to march around the perimeter
of Samuel's home to keep track of him. He feared
if he went and anointed a new king that Saul
(14:46):
would find out and kill him. Samuel dug his hands
into the dirt and lifted his eyes to heaven.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
How can I move without Saul flinching? If I depart
from here and make it known that I am searching
for a new king, surely Saul will kill me.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
The Lord spoke softly to his chosen prophet. His voice
was like fresh water trickling in from a stream. Samuel
listened like he would a song.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Fear not, Samuel, take a heifer with you to bethleemb
and say that you have come to make a sacrifice
to the Lord. Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. When you arrived,
I will guide you and show you what to do.
When the time is right, you shall anoint the one
(15:35):
I have.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Declared to be king. Samuel nodded. A resolute peace filled
his heart. When he first anointed Saul as king, it
was because the people demanded it. However, now he was
searching for a king that God had already chosen from
the beginning. Samuel took a heifer and made his way
(15:55):
to Bethlehem. Samuel led the heifer in on a rope
through the market place of Bethlehem. People whispered to each
other as he passed by. They knew who he was,
and they were afraid. Word of what Samuel had done
the king agant spread and they feared the prophet was
now on a campaign of justice. The elders approached Samuel trepidaciously,
(16:17):
Do you come in peace, they asked, with trembling brows.
Samuel paused for a moment. Among the elders of the
city was Jesse. The prophet smirked, amused at God's perfect timing. Yes,
my sons, I come in peace, he said, with a grin.
I have come here to make a peace offering to
the Lord and hold a feast. Consecrate yourselves and join
(16:41):
me as I worship. Then we will hold a feast
in Jesse's home and enjoy the remainder of the sacrifice.
Jesse's eyes widened. It was a great honor to be
asked by the prophet to share a ceremonial meal. He
had heard that King Saul once joined Samuel for such
an event before he was anointed as king. Jesse pondered
(17:01):
the prophet's reasons for holding the feast in his home.
His home was not the largest, nor was he the
most prominent elder in Bethlehem. Jesse hurried home and prepared
everything for Samuel and the other elders. An altar was
consecrated for Samuel to make a sacrifice, and the kitchens
were made ready for the feast. Jesse and his wife
busied themselves for hours ensuring everything was perfect for the night,
(17:26):
Jesse gathered his sons and daughters and spoke with them.
His sons Eliab abinedab Shama, nethanal Radye, and Ozom stood
at attention silently. His daughters Zuruayah and Abigail sat at
his feet. However, the youngest son was not in attendance.
Speaker 6 (17:43):
All must be perfect for the Prophet. Jesse demanded, This
home will be like a temple to the holiest man
in Israel. You are all to attend him and hold
yourselves with honor.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Jesse then turned to Eliab and grabbed his shoulders.
Speaker 6 (17:58):
Eliab, my son, you are the pride and honor of
this family. You are my eldest and a true warrior.
You shall sit beside the Prophet tonight. Hold yourself with dignity,
for I perceive the Prophet is here for more reasons
than making a sacrifice.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Eliab nodded regally, and the rest of the children nodded
in agreement. The sacrifice had been made. With the elders
and Jesse's sons in attendance. Samuel stood over the flames
on the altar and lifted his voice to the Lord.
He made himself attentive to the voice of God, for
he knew that it was now time to meet the
(18:36):
new king of Israel. He turned and gestured for them
to make their way to the home of Jesse. He
walked behind them, observing each son that marched beside Jesse.
They were impressive young men. They walked with confidence in
their steps. As they all sat down to eat, Samuel
noticed Jesse's oldest son, Eliab, sitting beside him. As the
(18:58):
day drew on, the old prophet observed every word that
came out of Eliab's mouth. He spoke like a noble.
It had the strong back of a warrior. He stood
taller than the rest of his brothers, and his personality
seemed to be even taller. He laughed with the elders,
making relatable jokes and jabs at them. However, he was
also able to speak of politics, war, and the strategy
(19:21):
of King Saul.
Speaker 6 (19:22):
Surely he must be the one God has.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Chosen, Samuel thought to himself.
Speaker 6 (19:27):
He has all the makings of a young king.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Among the clanging of dishes and laughs of the guests,
Samuel heard a still and quiet voice, like a whisper
of beckoning him away from the feast, he heard God speak, saying, look.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Past his height in appearance, Samuel, I have rejected the
man you see before you. For man sees the outward appearance.
They see the strength of the man's arms and the
way he carries a sword. But the Lord looks into
(20:02):
the heart.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Samuel bowed his head for a moment, closing his eyes
and resentering his mind on the heart of God. He
desperately desired to see what God saw. He did not
want to see yet another Saul darken the palace halls.
He could not bear it, Jesse, Samuel said, beckoning him over.
Jesse quickly made his way over to Samuel's side to
(20:24):
the table.
Speaker 6 (20:25):
Bring all your sons to me. I wish to see.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Them, Jesse smiled brightly. Samuel could tell that his sons
were his pride and joy. He was pleased to bring
them before the prophet. Samuel looked at them closely. Alieb A, Bennedab, Shama,
nethaneal rad Eye, and Ozom all stood at attention before
the sitting prophet. Samuel stood to his feet and walked
(20:50):
up to them. Since the Lord had rejected Aliab, he
moved on to a Bennedab. He grabbed his hand and
peered into his eyes. Samuel's brow furrowed with concentration. He
looked with the eyes of God, trying to peer into
the heart and soul of the man standing before him.
Neither has the Lord chosen this one, Samuel whispered to himself.
(21:11):
A Benedeb looked at his father in confusion. Jesse simply shrugged.
None of them knew what Samuel was up to. The
old prophet stood before Shamah. Although he was shorter than Eliab,
he was clearly more built than the rest of his brothers.
His hands were rugged from his recent admission into the
ranks of Saul. Samuel scanned him up and down, then
(21:33):
looked closely into his eyes. He shook his head.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
Nor this one, he whispered.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
The Lord had clearly rejected all the sons of Jesse
that were before him. Samuel sighed and scratched his head
in confusion.
Speaker 6 (21:47):
Jesse, are these all your sons? He asked, Ah, there
is still the youngest. However, he is keeping the sheep
and the pasture. You would not want to meet him anyway.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Jesse and the rest of his sons chuckled. Where is your,
Samuel asked, calmly, over.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
The hill just beyond the stables. The boy takes the
sheep all throughout the hills and valleys beyond our property. However,
today I would imagine he is plucking his silly harp
under the cypress tree. I would not bother with him.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Jesse's ambivalence toward his youngest son's surprise Samuel. He had
such pride in his other sons, it was odd that
he would forget one of them. Samuel bowed his head
to Jesse and the other sons.
Speaker 6 (22:29):
I shall be on my way. Thank you for your hospitality.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Jesse and his sons bowed before Samuel and thanked him.
Samuel picked up his staff and wandered past the stables
and up the grassy hill. The wild flowers were in
full bloom arrange, the grassy hills in splendor. Soft music
could be heard from a distance. Samuel smiled as he
looked at the flowers swaying back and forth in the breeze.
(22:56):
It was as if they were dancing to the music.
Samuel he made his way up the hill. Sheep were
grazing lazily in the mild sun. The music seemed to
soothe them. Samuel looked around for the source of the melodies.
Underneath the cypress tree in the shade was the shepherd
boy Jesse spoke of. He leaned his back against the
trunk of the tree, strumming his harp to the same
(23:19):
tempo of the wind. Samuel approached the tree, trying not
to interrupt the boy's playing. He sat on the stone,
only a few yards away from where the boy lounged.
The old prophet leaned back and observed him. He could
not have been any older than sixteen. His long hair
was lighter than his brother's. He was not as looming
(23:39):
as his oldest brother Eliab. However, he was very handsome
and ruddy in appearance. Samuel was content to be silent
for a while and listened to the music. The song
was a bomb. It was weary and downcast soul. The
boy's music was emotional and somber, yet filled with an
unwavering joy. Clearly, it was a song written from the heart.
(24:02):
As the song gently came to a close, Samuel leaned
over as he sat and cleared his throat. The boy
jumped back and grabbed his staff, who are you, the
young shepherd said quickly. Samuel laughed and waved his hands.
Speaker 6 (24:17):
I'm sorry if I startled you, my son, Please do
not be alarmed. I come in peace.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
The boy lowered his staff and looked at the man
up and down.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
You must be the prophet I heard about. I could
hear my father clamoring to my family about you from here.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
The boy bowed a knee in respect. Samuel peered at
the boy for a long while before speaking again.
Speaker 6 (24:41):
Tell me why were you not in attendance at the feast,
he asked.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
The boy shrugged.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
I am only a shepherd, he replied. I suppose my
place is among my sheep.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
In that moment, Samuel felt a surge of God's joy
well up from within him, as if the voice of
God was striking like lightning in his mind. He could
hear the Lord.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
Say, arise, anoint him, for this is the one I
have chosen.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
Samuel stood in front of the boy.
Speaker 6 (25:12):
Surely you are not only a shepherd. What is your name, David?
He replied, Kneel before the Lord, David, for the Lord
desires to bless you.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Samuel took his horn of oil and anointed David's head
and the spirit of God rushed upon the shepherd boy
like a mighty tempest. A surge of courageous fire burned
within David's belly. Although David hadn't the slightest clue why
Samuel had anointed him, he knew that from that day forward,
the Lord had destined him for great things. Samuel departed
(25:46):
and went to Rama, pleased about who God had chosen.
He knew that he did not have to bring David
before the people as he once did with Saul. He
knew that in God's timing, David would be more than
just a shepherd to his sheep, a shepherd over the
flock of Israel. Samuel chuckled to himself as he departed Bethlehem.
God chose an unremarkable city and an unremarkable young man
(26:10):
to accomplish his purposes. He truly did choose the unexpected
things of this world to display his power. Ah a
cry of frustration could be heard from the dark halls
of the King's palace. The clanging of thrown lamp stands
and broken pots echoed throughout the property. All the servants
(26:30):
knew that it was Saul again. His outbursts of anger
in the night had been regular occurrences. They listened as
the king raged in his throne room, and evil and
dark spirit had overcome him. Since the spirit of the
Lord had departed from Saul's presence, a brooding and harmful
tormentor had taken residence in his mind. Tears ran down
(26:51):
Saul's frustrated face as he leaned against the wall, banging
his fists against them. The king fell to his knees
and sobbed. He was ashamed of his anger and angry
at his shame. Saul ceased his wailing when he heard
the door slowly creak open. Samuel, the King asked frantically.
(27:12):
Saul's servant poked his head.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
In no, my lord, it is I tavvy.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Saul wiped his eyes and stood to his feet. Sweat
dripped down his back and brow. He was a haggard sight.
What is it, Tavey, Saul said, with a tired voice.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
It is clear that a harmful spirit is tormenting you.
I know a young man from Bethlehem who is able
to play the liar and harp. He is very skilled
and of good reputation for his music. He's a smart
young man, and I hear He's courageous as well. When
you feel out of control and frustrated, he can play
for you and you give received peace.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Saul sighed and leaned back in his throne. Very well,
the king said, while rubbing his eyes. Send him to me.
Perhaps music will give me peace. Tavvy rode into Bethlehem,
into the home of Jesse. Jesse was pleased to see
a servant of the king.
Speaker 6 (28:09):
Present, first a prophet, and now a servant of the king.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Jesse thought to himself, the Lord must.
Speaker 6 (28:15):
Favor me greatly.
Speaker 5 (28:17):
Good morning, Jesse, how are you and your sons?
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Tavvy asked graciously, farewell, my lord.
Speaker 6 (28:24):
To what do I owe the presence of the king's servant?
Speaker 5 (28:27):
The King requires your son's presence. What if his skill
has traveled far?
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Jesse puffed his chest up with pride, With his hands
on his waist and a smile on his face, he said.
Speaker 6 (28:38):
Eliab is truly skilled, isn't he. I'm sure the king
would benefit from having a strong right hand such as his.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
Tavvy shook his head.
Speaker 5 (28:47):
No, sir, the youngest of yours, David is his name.
If I'm not mistaken, The king is in need of
his skills. As a musician.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Jesse looked over his shoulder. David was shearing a few
of the sheep under the state. A slight snarl left
his upper lip. David, the runt of the litter, was
going to receive the highest honor anyone in his family
ever received. Jesse turned around. His snarl was replaced with
the fraudulent smile. He bowed and said.
Speaker 6 (29:18):
David will be in the presence of the King with
his lyre in two days time.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Tavvy bowed his head and rode off. David creaked open
the large wooden doors into the throne room. None of
the lamp stands were lit, and the fire in the
center of the room was flickering dimly. The shepherd boy
approached the throne softly with the lyre in his hands.
Laying back in the shadows was the King. Even with
(29:44):
his tired and tormented demeanor, his presence was larger than
life to David. He noticed the king's massive armor and
sword mounted above his throne. They reflected the flickering firelight,
bouncing right back into David's eyes. The low was magnificent.
The echoes of David's footsteps came to a halt as
(30:05):
he bowed before the king. Saul's eyes scanned David up
and down. I hear your music calms the soul, shepherd boy,
Saul slurred.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
Only the Lord can calm the soul, my king.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
David replied, respectfully.
Speaker 4 (30:21):
The music I play is unto him, and in his
delight the peace pours forth.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
So you were a poet as well, Saul scoffed. The
Lord's delight is fickle, boy. One day you have it,
the other you don't. David did not reply to Saul's outburst.
He simply sat on the stool beside the fire and
began to strum. The anthem coming from David's lyre was
(30:50):
pure and heartfelt. The song seemed to touch Saul's heart
like a warm fire. The highs and lows of the
song took the king on an emotional journey, finally finishing
in a place of rest. When David was finished playing,
Saul felt as if he was resting in the fields
of green by quiet streams. He breathed in deeply and
(31:12):
fell asleep. David smiled, pleased that his music was able
to bring peace to Saul. He stood up and put
another log on the fire. Its small flame increased, filling
the room with warmth. David set himself again and continued
to play. The King was pleased with him and loved
him like his own son. Saul sent word to Jesse
(31:36):
asking for him to remain in his service as his
armor bear. So whenever Saul felt tormented by the evil
spear within, he would call on David to quiet the beast.
David was pleased to serve his king. He found in
him the recognition he had always longed for in his
own father. Nothing was sweeter than sitting in the presence
(31:56):
of the King playing his music. Unto the Lord, he
prayed it would never cease.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Just how far would a shepherd go for his lamb?
For David, it was into the mouth of the lion's den.
In the episode leading up to this one, we're told
that God has chosen someone who is after his own heart.
Not only is God seeking a man who pursues the
heart of God, but also someone who models his heart
(32:26):
after God's. The scene of David's pursuing the lion gives
us a brilliant glimpse into his heart. He is brave, tender,
fierce when needed, and humble. But we must not glaze
over the most important quality of David. He is willing
to die for his sheep. The story tells us that
the scratch on his back was a small price to
(32:48):
pay for his lamb's freedom. He was a good shepherd,
and a good shepherd always lays down his life for
his sheep. This is our first of many allusions to Jesus,
who calls himself a good shepherd. David's story is going
to continually point forward to the ultimate chosen hero of God,
Jesus Christ. We're going to spend a lot of time
(33:09):
getting to know David in this series. In many ways,
I hope we grow with him, falling deeper in love
with God in the process. He is going to have triumphs, tragedies,
and many adventures. As we witness the highs and lows
of David's life, we must always remember our first impression
of him with the lion. This episode depicts him as
(33:30):
a warrior poet. One moment, he is writing music under
the stars, the next he is strangling a lion with
his bare hands. David is simultaneously fierce and inspired. We
should keep this dichotomy in mind when we follow David
on his escapades. He is a sensitive soul, but it
does not mean he isn't dangerous. David is clearly capable
(33:52):
of great things, like taking down a wild beast, but
he would much rather be singing to the Lord among
the chief. David has no ambition for the throne. He
simply wants to be near to God and protect his flock.
David's balance of faithfulness and fierceness are what make him
an excellent shepherd, and it will make him an excellent
king as well. After a long day, David leans back
(34:15):
and sings to God. Praise him, Sun and Moon, Praise him,
all you shining stars. This song is taken from Psalm
one eight. In this series, we will get to hear
a few psalms of David. He wrote seventy three psalms
that we know of, and they are all beautiful, raw
and profound songs from his heart to God's. It is
(34:36):
important for us to remember that David was first and
foremost a shepherd and poet. He was also a worship
leader before the Congregation of Israel. The multiple layers of
David make him a unique character in scripture. Many of
the figures in the Bible before David were singularly focused.
Their stories were more focused and less nuanced than David's.
(35:00):
Our first deep dive into a man with diverse interest.
He is the Bible's first renaissance man. David may be
interesting to us, but his family doesn't seem to think so.
One of the more perplexing mysteries of David's story is
why his father and brothers seem to have so much
contempt for him. One of the reasons that David may
have been forgotten and ridiculed is that he was illegitimate,
(35:24):
that is, born out of wedlock, since he himself says
in sin, my mother conceived me. At the end of
the episode, David is grafted into the household of Saul
as his alma bear and personal musician. David finds a
great deal of purpose and comfort in the house of
Saul and eventually becomes his literal son through marriage. Father
(35:45):
wounds are a clear theme in David's life. At first,
he finds the fatherly attention from Saul that he lacked
from his own father. This causes him to be loyal
to a fault. Later on in the story, we will
see David forgiving Saul in David is a great man,
but we will occasionally see glimpses of his inner child,
(36:06):
who was neglected by his father. But the loving embrace
of God will fill the gaps in David's life better
than any father could. An obvious example of this neglect
is when Samuel comes to Jesse's house. I want you
to imagine the most important person in your country coming
to your home and you purposefuly send one of your
(36:27):
kids away. This should give you a good idea of
where David stood with his family. God had sights on him, though,
and Samuel eventually found him. David's brothers had similar qualities
to Saul. They were large, charismatic, and outwardly had the
qualities of a king. When people look for leaders, they
can look for the wrong things. But God looks at
(36:49):
the heart. God tells Samuel look past the height and appearance.
For man sees the outward appearance. They see the strength
of the man's arms and the way he carries the sword.
But the Lord looks into his heart. David is not
a perfect person. He, like Saul, will make many mistakes
in his life. The difference that God sees between David
(37:10):
and Saul is the heart. We would be wise to
take personal inventory of our own hearts? Do we do
all the right things for God all the while neglecting
our own inner hearts. This is part of why pray
dot com is such an invaluable resource. There are hours
of content that seeks to tend to your hearts like
a garden, so they might thrive and grow. Samuel bids
(37:34):
Jesse and the other brothers farewell and turns his gaze
upward to the hills. Do you remember how beautiful the
description of the hill was. The wildflowers were in full bloom,
arraying the grassy hills in splendor. Soft music could be
heard from a distance. Samuel smiled as he looked at
the flowers swaying back and forth in the breeze. It
(37:57):
was as if they were dancing to the music. Samuel
made his way up the hill. Sheep were grazing lazily
in the mild sun. The music seemed to soothe them.
This description is supposed to elicit feelings of Eden in us.
Samuel steps into this harmonious space where heaven and earth
(38:17):
seem to converge. David is a picture of Jesus among
the people of God, leading them with a soothing melody
of peace. It is a heavenly image followed by a
heavenly blessing that is given to David. Samuel annoints his
head with oil, which is a symbol of God's spirit.
David was changed. From that moment. We are immediately taken
(38:39):
away from the scene of heaven and brought into hell.
Saul's chambers are dark, chaotic, and tormenting. The scene with
David jumping to the scene of Saul is supposed to
be jarring for us and a reminder that the veil
between peace and chaos is thin. Saul is tormented by
an evil spirit without comfort, everyone around him pain, and
(39:01):
Kavi seeks to give him ease. David is brought into
the darkness to bring the peace and light of God.
This is an image of what Jesus does to us.
He steps into our darkness and brings comfort. He sings
the song of Grace over us and soothes our anxious minds.
The relationship between Saul and David will be a complicated one.
As I mentioned before, Saul would be like a father
(39:23):
to David, but that closeness will come at a cost.
Everyone close to Saul end up hurt by him, and
David will be no different In the next three episodes,
we will see the ups and downs of their relationship.
We will also get to witness David fall in love,
make bonds, and vanquished enemies, but first we will watch
(39:45):
him slay a giant. Follow the podcast on Apple or
Spotify to get the newest episodes right as they come out,
and always be inspired by the Bible. Join us next
time for the episode we have all been waiting for,
David and Goliath.
Host
Jack Graham
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