The bible has many inspiring heroes. I was always fascinated by King David from childhood. David killing Goliath was my favourite story in the Catechism classes. I did not understand the details of his story until I reached seminary. The exegetical studies revealed deep insights into the personalities of David. His call had lasting effects on my young mind in the seminary and later as a priest.
The First Book of Samuel tells us about the transition from the kingship of Saul to David. God rejected Saul as a king by God. The reason is just mentioned in one sentence that Saul disobeyed God. He was asked to fight against the Amalekites and kill everyone including the king, soldiers, men-women, children, sheep and oxen. Saul disobeys God’s voice. He allowed his men to take the best sheep and oxen. He brought Agag, the king of Amalekites to his town. These reasons were seen on the peripheral level but the real reasons were the character of Saul.
When Samuel questioned Saul, why did he disobey God’s voice? Saul never showed any repentance over his disobedience. He was very proud. He had no God element in him. Since he was tall and handsome, he had become self-centred. He was a Benjaminites who were known for warfare. They were good at military skills. They knew how to use swords with the left hand too. He was puffed up with his skills. The sin of pride had eaten up his conscience. Secondly, he had created a monument of himself at Mt. Carmel. He did not feel ashamed and sorry for he had done but boasted in his glory. Thirdly, he never considered himself that he belonged to God. While talking to Samuel, he referred to God as “your God”. It showed that he never considered himself belonged to God. Fourthly, he put the whole blame on the people (soldiers) and portrayed that he did obey God but his people were responsible for it. He pretended to bring sheep and oxen to offer them to God. He tried to cover his sins under the wasted religiosity. So the disobedience was not only the reasons for which God rejected Saul but for his self-centred, rebellious and stubborn heart. [The irony of his life is he was killed by the Amalekites.] So God wanted someone who would look after his people after His own heart.
God guided Samuel to anoint David as the new king of Israel. It is interesting to notice the comparison between Saul and David’s call to be king. The Scriptures mentions Saul was tall and handsome. He was from a wealthy and influential family. He was good at war-fares (Benjaminite). He appeared to be a king the way people wanted. In contrast to Saul, David was not even considered by his own father Jesse. Jesse called all his seven sons but did not even take the name of his youngest son, David. He was not called for a family sacrifice, nor for the fellowship with Samuel. It was Samuel who insisted to see him. It means to say that David was not considered as a family member by his own father and family. David was found pasturing the sheep. It means to say, Jesse was not a wealthy man. They did not have a servant. The scripture says David was ruddy (reddish complexion), beautiful eyes and handsome. He was a young boy. He did not look like a king but just a nice boy. David did not have military skills at all. He was a shepherd boy. What did God see in David, the youngest son of Jesse that He made him the king of Israel?
God did not look at the outer appearance of David. He saw his heart. We can gather insights into the personality of David from one phrase, “he was keeping the sheep”.
Keeping the sheep would mean, he was playing the role of a servant. He had ample time to reflect on the sheep. He knew them by name. The sheep knew his voice and they listened to him. He protected his sheep from the predators (wild animals or thieves). He took them to the green pasture and restful water. He went in search of them when they were lost. He rejoiced in finding them but he endangered his life. He became the way by walking ahead of the sheep. If they were hurt or lost, he put them on his shoulder and walked the way home. Lastly, he completely depended on God for his help in keeping the sheep from any harm for the sheep were totally dependent on him. In simple words, David, the shepherd protected, guided and nurtured his sheep. That was the heart of a shepherd. God was delighted to find such heart in David who did everything to please God.
A comparison between Saul, the adult and David, the young invites us to pay attention to God’s marvellous plans for each one of us. God does not see the talents and human merits. It is often that we underestimate the young and do not trust that God does not any distinction. God calls even today the young people in His service. The young people do have a heart of David in them. They need to have faith in themselves. It will come only when they turn to God. David had deep faith in God. The whole life of David depicted in the Scriptures shows us that David always gave first preference to God. May our young people believe in God like David to be the kings to Goliaths of modern days in their lives.
