DAVID THE RESPONSIBLE SHEPHERD

King Saul of Israel (1051-1011 BC) had become very self-centered and ineffective in his governmental affairs and God decided that it was time to groom his replacement. God sent Samuel, the prophet, to find and anoint the new king, but only gave him instructions as to the city and family where the king could be found. Upon arrival at the home of Jesse, he examined all of the sons of Jesse as they passed before him. The prophet sensed that none of these men were God’s choice, and asked Jesse if there were any others. There was one more, David, but he was young and out tending the sheep, a boring and dirty job. But he was God’s choice. David was being responsible in a very simple thankless job, but as he was ruling over the sheep, he was learning how to rule over God’s people, and he didn’t even know it! His faithfulness in being responsible for what Jesse had assigned him, prepared him for greater things than he could have ever thought possible as the next King of Israel

 [1 Samuel 16:1-13]

This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.