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Text: 1 Samuel 16
The LORD said He is going to find another man to lead His people. He is frustrated and done dealing with Saul. The LORD is going to pick David to take the throne in Israel after the people had their choice of Saul.
Stop mourning and move on (vss 1-5)
- Samuel is mourning when it’s time to move on.
- Prospect of moving on
- Harsh reality of moving on. Here is a very tough question. Why are you still holding on to someone the LORD is not holding on to?
- Now some of you would accuse God and Samuel of not caring for Saul and having no heart. And why would you reject someone? How dare you write someone off. The same people don’t consider the hundreds of thousands of souls Saul is misleading and causing trouble for. But this is the line of thinking from carnal people who will sacrifice good people in order to make accommodations for devils.
- This is the world’s philosophy of ministry: You’re not allowed to write Saul off. You need to make sure this devil has a chance because he needs the LORD …even if the saints are lost in the process. Make sure the devils are comfortable at the expense of God’s children.
- But that’s not God’s ministry. God says many times in the Bible people need to break ties with other people.
- He who is a heretic after 1st and 2nd admonition reject.
- What fellowship hath light with darkness? If someone is called a brother be a fornicator, covetous, etc, from such withdraw thyself.
- There is no obligation to make sure the wolves are comfortable among the sheep. But that is the world’s view of ministry and Christianity.
- Making Saul king was a regrettable decision from the start. The LORD knew it. Samuel knew it. And the people were told it would be a bad decision. Now, it’s time to move on.
- Prepare to move on
- When God said to Samuel it’s time to move on from Saul, He means Samuel needs to make preparations for another king.
- Samuel may still deal with regret and sadness over Saul and his leadership, but emotions aside, it’s time to find another king.
- Protection to move on
- Now, there is going to be some fallout if Saul find out.
- The LORD and Samuel agree that Saul would kill Samuel if he found out what Samuel’s been sent to do.
- So the LORD makes provision with a sacrifice to protect Samuel in his obedience to the LORD.
Man looks on the outside, God looks on the heart (vss 6-13)
- Spirit of God tries the hearts
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
- Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
- Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
- Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
- But man looks on the outside because that’s all he can see.
- God’s not looking for a superstar, He’s looking for a shepherd
- Now, it’s noted that David is a good looking young man, but so was Saul. The genetics that define shape of face and symmetry, and good skin, etc, don’t mean anything to God. These are the same genetics that will yield to wrinkles, bad eyesight, loss of hearing, heart problems, etc.
Miserable condition of king Saul, but a mighty shepherd David (vss 14-18)
- He is depressed. He is miserable. He has bad thoughts. He has a bad spirit.
- Music is aimed at your spirit. It may calm you down. It may stir up anger. It may stir up pride. It may stir up lust.
- Sau’s not hearing from God, so music takes the place of the voice of the LORD.
- David has an outstanding testimony apparently.
- Skillful musician
- Valiant man
- Courageous warrior
- Prudent
- Comely person
- Lord is with him
Shepherd is put in the palace (vss 19-23)
- Saul actually calls in his successor to the palace without knowing it.
- David becomes the armor bearer for Saul. This is why Saul will suggest David try on his armor in the next chapter.
- This is happening to David because his heart is right with the LORD. This is not a matter of David’s talents. This is not a matter of David’s strength. This is not a matter of David’s good looks. God has promoted David from the pasture to the palace because of David’s heart.
