1 Samuel 16 - King or Servant

Saul has been deposed by God and is no longer God's chosen. Yet, he clings to his title even though the Spirit of God has left him and an evil spirit torments him. So strong is the power of the world over our souls. Even Samuel fears for his life if Saul knows of a new king being appointed. 

David is consecrated as King of Israel, yet does not boldly take the position from Saul, but joins his palace as a servant to soothe Saul when the evil spirits torment. 

David might have questioned God's plan. Did God really appoint him King?  How would this take place given that the former King still lives and claims authority?  

God ordered David's steps to place him in service to the King even as He he was ordering David's reign over Israel. Young David had a first hand view of Saul's operations to learn the good and the bad; the strengths and weaknesses.   He was planted inside Saul's domain to serve the one he had already deposed. When Jesus came here to earth, he was God made flesh, our King and our Lord, yet he took upon himself the form of a servant and humbled himself even unto death for our redemption. David is a living prototype of Jesus for the people of his day, demonstrating that greatness comes in humble service where God has placed you. 

When God orders our own careers, He doesn't remove all barriers to our success, but He may choose to place us right in the midst of the barriers so that we can learn and grow from them. It may have seemed odd to David that he would be placed into servitude even as he was appointed King, but God was there in the midst writing David's story; and so He is with us. Day by day, God writes the story of our lives keeping us in His care as we navigate the mire of life. 

One thing we can rest in is this. God has said, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future"  (Jer 29:11).   This message from God was given to His people years after David while they were in captivity. Yet God had not forgotten them as He had not forgotten David. And so it is for us that if we are of Christ, we are chosen out of this world to serve a Master the world cannot understand. He works through our obstacles to demonstrate His faithfulness so that the world around might see and believe and so that we might grow stronger in our own faith. 

Have you been commissioned by God to some purpose?  Know that God has ordered today just for you - to increase your skill and wisdom and to grow your faith in the one who provides everything we need for service. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.