“Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul. 35 And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.” 1 Samuel 15:34-35 NKJV
“Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.” 1 Samuel 16:10-16 NKJV
Almighty and Everlasting God,
And yet you take and interest in the youngest and least likely to be a fearless king of the Israelites. David. Here we see David anointed but going back to every day duties. Not treated any differently perhaps they did not know it was a kingly anointing?
Then we see David placed or seeking all sorts of situations which are dangerous, possibly deadly and certainly worrying. He plays harp for a mentally unhinged king, faces a giant warrior no one else dare even call out to (1 Samuel 17). Having to escape to the hills to hide from the national Army headed by Saul. Learning to lead a group of renegades (1 Samuel 22)? Was this the training You used to shape the future king Lord? It was hard training under Saul, who became his enemy. It certainly did prepare him and yet his heart remained good (1 Samuel 16:7).
As we approach Easter we see another’s walk. But You are not training Him. He is for You and of You and does not need to learn or be taught anything. He is revealing Himself so we can see YOu. Know You have walked in our shoes and yet Your heart remained pure. Jesus was already King and yet died as an outlaw in our place. He did what David could not do. He conquered life and death so we do not have to. Thank you that David showed us how to persist and learn and trust. Thank you that we do not have to go it alone – we have Jesus.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 31st March 2026
This has an advert on the end for a Christian film – a true story I believe – The Firing Squad. The hymn was written in 1922 but used for this recent movie (2024) I love this song it always touches my heart.. My friends have Prime channel . . .
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands.
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain
or be held in sin’s dread sway.
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
this world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame.
I’d rather be true to His holy name
Chorus
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom’
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs.
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead
Chorus repeat
Lyrics Rhea F Miller