Godly fathers-ungodly sons-16

We now come to face one of the most terrific examples of ungodly sons, but unfortunately they are all sons of David. David was a godly shepherd that became King after he was anointed by Samuel. David is mentioned throughout the Bible some 970 times, 55 times in the New Testament and 915 times in the Old or First Testament. Let us learn about David from the beginning.

1 Samuel 16:1  Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons." 

Saul had disobeyed God and now see that God had prepared his replacement. We all probably know this story but we need to see how David was chosen, how he lived, and then how this all came into focus as he began having sons.

1 Samuel 16:2  But Samuel said, "How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' 16:3  "You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you." 

16:4  So Samuel did what the LORD said, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, "Do you come in peace?" 16:5  He said, "In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 

16:6  When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him.

Everyone feared Saul, even the elders. But, few feared God. Remember man looks on the outside but God looks on the inside. Jesse had many sons, but only one would be chosen.

16:10  Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these." 16:11  And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." 

Usually the oldest is most often chosen for almost any important task or appointment. But, God chose the youngest son, David.

16:12  So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." 16:13  Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 

David is now publicly anointed by Samuel. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him and rested within him. We often can take for granted, that while the Spirit was not evidence of anyone’s salvation in the First Testament, but is our proof of our inheritance and adoption into God’s family in the New Testament.

16:14  Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him. 16:15  Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you. 

This is a very sad spiritual reality. If the LORD’s Spirit is now within you, you are vulnerable to have a demonic, evil spirit take up residence inside of you or terrorize you.

16:16  "Let our lord now command your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well." 16:17  So Saul said to his servants, "Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me." 16:18  Then one of the young men said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him." 

16:19  So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David who is with the flock." 16:20  Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by David his son. 16:21  Then David came to Saul and attended him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer. 

Favorable first impressions don’t always last. Especially when they challenges our authority and power.

16:22  Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight." 16:23  So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him. 

This is not intended to show us that music causes evil spirits to leave us. In this example it is the truth, but not necessarily applies to anyone else.

A great beginning does not automatically guarantee a great ending. In fact, the ending is far more important than the beginning.

Philippians 2:12  So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 2:13  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 

Living the ‘Christian’ life is work. We all struggle against our flesh daily.

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

12:2  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Don’t take your foot off the gas. Run to win, which means to end your life bringing glory to God alone.

More next Saturday.