David, The Shepherd King

 

In 1979, John Bass interviewed Ronald Reagan as he was preparing to run for presidency. John asked “Do you have a favorite Bible verse?” “Yes I do, John 3:16”, Reagan replied. “What does this Bible verse mean to you personally?” John asked. “It means that, having accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, I have God’s promise of eternal life in Heaven, as well as the abundant life here on earth that He promises in John 10:10” Reagan replied. “Do you think the Bible is of divine origin?” John asked.”I never had any doubt about it?” Reagan replied.

Reagan grew up in Dixon, Illinois, and he never forgot his humble beginnings. At the dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in 1991, he reflected on those early days. Speaking of his mother, he recalled, “I remember a small woman with auburn hair and unquenchable optimism. Her name was Nelly Reagan and she believed with all her heart that there was no such thing as accidents in this life. Everything was part of God’s plan.”

And he talked about the town where he grew up “Our neighbors were never ashamed to kneel in prayer to their Maker”. When he informed the nation in 1994 that he had Alzheimer Disease, he closed his statement with these words: “When the Lord calls me home, whenever that day may be … I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life.” Reagan died at the age of 93.

At Reagan’s burial, President Bush who was his vice president for eight years said that faith enabled Reagan to confront death twice with courage and grace. Bush recalled how Reagan responded to the assassination attempt in 1981 and at the onset of the Alzheimer’s disease in 1994. In both these trials he showed how a man so enchanted by life can be at peace with the life’s end. “And where does that strength come from? Where is that courage learnt?” Bush asked.

 It is the faith of a boy who read the Bible with his mom. It is the faith of a man who lying in an operating room prayed for the one who shot him before he prayed for himself. It is the faith of a man with a fearful illness who waited on the Lord to call him home. In his years he saw through the glass darkly, now he sees his savior face to face. He always told us that for America, the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves that this is true for him, too. His work is done, and now a shining city awaits him.” (The Faith Of Ronald Reagan)

God began to prepare David to be the king of Israel at a very early age. His early years were divinely ordained, so that his experiences would prepare him for the awesome task of leading a nation. David was the last of eight sons born to Jesse. As the youngest son he got the least desirable job of tending his father’s sheep. God wanted him to be a shepherd king (Ps.78:70-72) and what better preparation is there than shepherding a flock of sheep?

His job of tending sheep alone in the wilderness had many dangers and also many lonely hours. Several times David had to rescue his sheep from the mouths of bears and lions (1 Sam. 17:24-37). When fighting wild animals he learnt how to use his sling with great precision. This helped him to bravely stand up to Goliath in battle (I Sam.17) that brought him to the limelight. He killed Goliath using a weapon and skill perfected by constant use in the wilderness.

During the long hours of solitude, David spent quality time with his heavenly father and he developed a deep relationship with him. He learnt how to express his emotions and to adore him in psalms, a skill that he used up to then end of his life. His psalms have been a great blessing to thousands and will continue unto eternity (Luke 21:33). The long hours of solitude provided him plenty of time to practice and become very skillful on the harp. That skill brought him into Saul’s palace, so that he could learn how to rule. 

 David was anointed King at the tender age of 17 (1Sam.16).  God had seen in David’s heart (v.7) a man after his own heart (1 Sam. 13:14, Acts 13:22). Immediately he was anointed the Spirit of God came upon him, but it left Saul and an evil spirit entered him (vv 13, 14). David did not know it would be long before he would become king and the years in between would be very tough.  From his psalms we learn about the great distress that he endured. But it was during those times that he would learn the great faithfulness and mighty power of God.

Saul became so troubled that he could not sleep. The servants asked if they could bring a musician who would play the harp (a stringed instrument that made a soft sweet sound) to ward off the troubling spirit. A servant said that he knew a shepherd youth who was skillful in playing harp. When Saul heard the beautiful soothing music of David’s harp the troubling spirit left him and he felt refreshed (v.28). Saul loved David greatly and asked him to remain and serve him (I Sam 16:21, 18:2).

Later the philistines went to war with Israel (1 Sam. 17). One day when David’s father sent him to take food to his brothers in the battlefield. When he arrived, he heard Goliath shouting across the valley calling out insults to God. He also saw Israel’s strongest men of war tremble at the sight of Goliath (v.24). The Israelite soldiers only saw a terrifying giant (vv 4-6) but David saw a mortal man challenging the almighty God (v.26). Goliath’s words were no more intimidating than the roar of an angry lion or bear. He volunteered to fight Goliath (v.32).

David assured Saul that he had combat experience. He had fought bears and lions and had always prevailed against these deadly animals. He assured Saul that the Lord who delivered him from them would deliver him from the hand of “this Philistine.”  And so Saul sent David off to battle (v.37). How could Saul send David into battle under the conditions declared by Goliath? Whoever is killed the whole army will surrender. Saul had just put his soldiers and the whole of Israel’s fate in the hands of a shepherd youth.

David was young and inexperienced in battle, but his experience as a shepherd boy had given him unshakable faith in God. Goliath looked at David with scorn “am I a dog that you come to me with sticks”. “How God must have laughed as he watched the scene from his throne” (Ps.2:4, 37:13). God did not need an armed soldier to do the job, a mere shepherd boy armed with only a slingshot. David ran to meet the Giant, grabbed a stone and slinging it with perfect accuracy hit Goliath right in the forehead. The powerful giant crashed to the ground and the battle was over.

In 1 Samuel 24, King Saul was seeking David to kill him, at one point the king fell right into David’s hands and his friends urged David to kill him and take over. David declined. In 2 Samuel 16:5-13 a man called Shimei followed King David hurling insults at him and his men. Abishai said to the king ‘Let me go over now and take off his head” David said “leave him alone” and continued on his way. How could David stay so calm in the face of such an assault to his honour? He had learnt that his honor and worth were safe in the Father’s hands.

When David learnt that his son Absalom together with his trusted counselor Ahithophel were plotting a rebellion against him His first reaction was prayer “Lord please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness”  (2 Sam 15:30-32).  His security was firmly rooted in God’s goodness and justice. God had proved faithful time and time again and now David’s confidence in God was unshakable. The lessons learnt during those early years made him so great during his forty years reign. He beautifully summed up his life in his last words (2 Sam. 23 1-5).