By: Elizabeth Haarberg

A King Worth Waiting for

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

I’m reading 1 Samuel right now, in particular how David’s struggles with Saul shaped him to become king of Israel. You would think that Samuel anointing David the future king would change his life on the spot but it took years for David to finally sit on the throne.

Here are the takeaways from the story that stood out to me:

1. David serves Saul. When David is anointed the Holy Spirit “seizes” him and that same spirit leaves Saul. Saul is then tormented by evil spirits that only David’s harp playing will cause a reprieve.

2. David only wants to please Saul. David fights one war after another for Saul and Israel. His loyalty never wavers.

3. David forgives Saul over and over. Saul goes into a jealous rage and tries to kill David multiple times and for his part David continues to appeal to Saul.

4. Jonathan and David’s relationship is one of the most beautiful examples of two people who are so committed to one another; they would lay their lives down for each other. Their relationship is a testimony to how friendships should look. One of the most intriguing parts of the story is that Jonathon knows that David is anointed to be king of Israel, taking Jonathon’s rightful spot and Jonathan is in completely submissive to God’s plan.

Some of the verses that stood out in I Samuel include:

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.””
1 Samuel 16:7 English Standard Version

“And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.”
I Samuel 16:23 English Standard Version

This story moves me so powerfully. I’ve read it over and over and find something new each time. The writer does a great job capturing the emotion of the story so the readers feel like they are within the pages.

David is a testimony to our own lives. We are all just shepherds, plain people that God views as kings and queens and it’s what we do with the anointing that matters most. God calls us to greatness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado