DAY 19, Read 1 Sam.18:1-7
Key Verse: “And 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” (1 Sam.16:13).
I am certain what Samuel did on that day when he anointed David before his brethren must have been foggy to David and his brothers. Imagine being summoned from the wilderness and anointed as king before your brothers! David must have wondered and would have been intrigued at what happened. Much more intriguing must have been David’s brothers. Imagine being rejected or bypassed by God for no fault of theirs. All cultural and human traditions were set aside to anoint David, the last child in the family. How would David’s brothers have felt when Samuel lifted the horn of oil to anoint them but felt a check in his spirit not to anoint them? What thoughts could have gone through David’s mind when he was anointed? The mighty hand of God upon a man is a wonder, it is simply inexplicable.
Another wonder many in Israel may have pondered about was how David, a young untrained youth would have succeeded in killing Goliath with just five small stones. I tried to imagine that after David’s historic victory over Goliath, pebbles and stones would have become very popular and rampart among the youths in Israel! Many of the youths would have tried their hands with pebbles and catapults to see if they could kill their opponents and become instant national heroes like David. I am sure many of them would have been disappointed at the result they all got. Alas, their own catapults and stones could not produce the same result like David’s. That explains the difference the mighty hand of God brings on an individual and situation. The mighty hand of God is not only an enigma, it makes a difference in a man’s life and situation.
David’s dazzling victory over Goliath led Saul to ask the question, “Whose son are you young man? ” Does it mean he did not know before now whose son David was? I am sure he knew, because before now David had ministered to him with his harp. Saul’s question would have arisen out of the wonder and amazement of what David did in killing Goliath and saving Israel from reproach. The feat Saul and the army of Israel could not accomplish David was able to accomplish.
What followed next in 1 Samuel chapter 18:1-7 was the elevation of David, and the sowing of the seed of life-long enmity between him and Saul. Meanwhile, Jonathan, the heir apparent to the throne suddenly fell in love with David, probably due to his courage and heroism. In a symbolic gesture he gave David his robe, his armour, his sword, his bow and his belt. Saul then promoted David to be over the men of war. But the victory song which the women sang ascribing greater honour to David than Saul triggered off jealousy and strife between Saul and David.
There is no doubt that the mighty hand of God upon David placed him above all his brethren and peers in Israel and was responsible for his success at the battle field. The same mighty hand of God that gave him success over Goliath, and brought him into limelight also brought troubles for him. Thus, the mighty hand of God upon a man’s life not only brings success but it brings responsibilities and instigates envy and jealousy.
PRAYER: Father, please release the power of Your mighty hand on me, but also give me the grace to cope with the responsibilities that come with it.
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