An Unlikely King, Part 1

In the midst of his sorrow.

God delivers a wonderful truth as you know Samuel is a flask of oil control and control of yesterday and in control today and I'm in control tomorrow. Sin does not derail my ultimate purposes for a nation for a world for an individual. The king may have prevailed, but the King of Kings lost his grip time and come for Israel to have a new king, and it was Samuel's job to anoint him.

The only problem was that God hadn't told Samuel who to anoint. He knew which family the king would come from, but there were a lot of brothers in the family, and he didn't know which one it would be the choice ended up being the most unlikely one were looking at this account today. This is wisdom for the hearts Stephen Devi is beginning a series on the life of David called the singer is calling this message and unlikely I have read that there are almost 3000 biographical portraits in the Bible.

In fact, to this day. The Bible remains the most comprehensive source of biography covering the widest scope of history than any other single source in the world that most of the biographies in the biblical record get a few verses if you've known the Lord for allowing your work through the Bible is one mentally have to last hours into it now about 16 times and is loving is his reading of the word and am so grateful for that. You know that some of the individual. Just get a verse or two. Some of them get a lot of exposure and an end. God invites us to inspect their lives and so many details of their lives. The apostle Paul clarifies for a sum of God's intention. He makes it clear that the events in history are given as an example, he writes written down for our instruction for civilians tell 11. He told the believers in Philippi join in imitating what they knew of his life. What they heard about the biography is on identity that which would lead them in imitating Christ.

Philippians 317 eight he challenge the Thessalonians to be an example to all the believers in Macedonia and he wrote a brief biographical sketch of the church. The apostle Peter even use the biography of two cities is a warning when he wrote that God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah – is condemning them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly second Peter chapter 2 verse it only enjoys intentionally designed to teach us through visual aid was a kid vacation Bible school.

The flannel graph is just starting. I love God gives us living, breathing, flesh and blood off full-color descriptions of individuals lives and for our benefit and it wouldn't surprise you to know that that David Singer King receives a lot of newsprint. There's a lot of Inc. associated with his life, is neither vector more chapters hundred and 41 chapters in all devoted to the life of David. In fact, more than any other human being recorded in Scripture that the only person who gets more exposure in the Bible than David is God I think it does because there's so much of David's life that we can enter into and live there so much of his experiences that we can adapt or adopting. He has great highs and deep laws. He has wonderful mountaintop experiences and in the deepest valleys. He knows how to praise God and he knows how to cry, deadly. He knows how to we. He has more joy in Mauritania's more righteous living and more wicked setting described in the Bible that anybody else in the forward of his classic commentary is now out of print by Alan Redpath Pastor Moody church. I have a copy of it. He says there's the Bible never flatters its heroes. It tells us the truth about each of them in order that we might ultimately magnify the grace of God is like looking into a mirror and we are humiliated by the reminder of how many times we have failed grade has been our stubbornness, but greater still is God's faithful one of the priests of divine inspiration is the fact that God the author is discrete in and descriptive at the same time when he presents the life of David is and refused to polish his halo is silkscreen the blemishes away so you come to the Internet. You don't just saying of David using of David's God, he is using to cover up the worst of David isn't going to exaggerate the best of the Huizinga drag us too deeply into the mire of David's sin.

There's a lot more to David and Bathsheba and Uriah when he finishes biography, you will begin with me, I believe, to understand just David but the God of David is magnificent grace I came across some old notes of this insightful moment that I think you probably enjoy. I took my youngest daughter when she was about nine to the Christian bookstore to get a Bible cover for her new Bible. So we went to the bookstore and she chose a cover she took a Bible with her so that she could make sure that it is fit just right and and she chose a color pattern. I found it interesting that it's the same color pattern that she is a 20-year-old still enjoys. Anyway, we hopped back in the truck and and that she opened the box so that cover she took it out and admired it, and she inserted into her Bible: the lady in the books are given her a free bookmark and does so she decided to put that into her Bible as well and so she she turned to the book of Romans were we been studying for some time. Actually, for her whole life and is interesting she's gonna put it in there and with perfect innocent. She looked up at me and she asked daddy what verse are you going to teach this year. Hey, some people slow down when they get older I'm speeding out. They men are really cover his biography and this one semester. Let me invite your attention to first Samuel chapter 16 if you're an outline or at a notetaker may very quickly give you three simple outline points to his entire biography.

The first section could be called David's training. That's the first Samuel 16 to the end of the book chapter 31 the second section of his biography, you could entitle David's triumphs. That second Samuel one through chapter 10 in the third and final section, you could entitle David's troubles second Samuel 11 chapter 20 now as you find your place. Let me try to set the scene a little bit for us.

His biography opens in the worst of setting King Saul has just been judged by God is unfit terrain and Samuel has delivered the news. In fact, in this setting. This opening session is as much about Samuel as it is about David Samuel gives the bad news to Saul. In fact, it's interesting the Samuel is been delivering bad news. He began his ministry by delivering bad news to Eli. Remember now here he is doing the same to Saul.

What a difficult ministry he has. If you go back to chapter 15 verse 26 you you find this encounter were Samuel says to Saul, I will not return with you. He's delivered the news for you have rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel and Samuel turned to go away.

Saul seized the skirt is aerobic, that is correct on the robe of Samuel and ripped it tore Samuel said to him, the Lord is torn. The kingdom of Israel from you this day is given to a neighbor of yours who is better than you what a scene that rippled throughout the kingdom. They didn't understand exactly what we mean. But they knew that Saul was John Samuel had personally anointed Saul hopes of the nation had rested on his broad shoulders that got attached to him. In fact, they were thrilled that like every other nation.

We did not have a king. It was of course a rejection of God.

Saul turned out to be like the kings of other nations, proud, petty, paranoid disobedience, defiant fact God had nothing good to say about or in the biography of this first came Samuel is grieving all that's lost he's he's torn out. Not only is the Kingman rejected the very first king to sit on the front of Israel, but added that the fact that Samuel wants peace for the nation is concerned about civil unrest, the applecart's been turned over. He doesn't want this mad dash to the throne and people kill each other on the way there. Even with the nation weekend in the eyes of the nations around them, that will invite disaster. He has every reason to be troubled that the Hebrew participle is this chapter opens indicates that Samuel is constantly continually grieving notice as it opens.

The Lord said to Samuel chapter 16 verse one. How long will you grieve over Saul since I have rejected him from being king of Israel for all your hard your flask with oil and go.

I will send you to Jesse, the Bethlehem light for I have provided for myself the king among his sons is an interesting exposure of Samuel's nature is in it. He is grieving over what's lost in God says I've got something the nation will gain. He's grieving over yesterday. He's he's uncertain about today and and he's worried about tomorrow. God comes along and says Samuel how are you getting grieve over.

Yesterday I got plans for tomorrow before world too hard on sale. I think there's there is actually implication that worthy of imitation and Samuel's grief is ongoing grief solely for the client over this tell us volumes about David's future tutor's, one author wrote you.

Samuel is distressed, but he isn't distressed over something trivial isn't distressed over a lousy golf score. So many side swiping his Chevy will because he only has a three bedroom house in one garage know you right. Samuel is grieving over the fallen condition of his friend and king is grieving the loss to his nation. He's distressed over the potential of even greater spiritual disaster to the people of Israel. Would that we would grieve and sorrow over the same thing in the midst of this, God comes along, however, and and says, okay, it's time to look toward tomorrow. It's time to understand my sovereignty in the midst of his sorrow. God delivers a wonderful truth of his sovereignty he he he effectively tells Samuel as he tells him to get his flask of oil look out in control, and control of yesterday and I'm in control today and I'm in control of tomorrow. Sin does not derail my ultimate purposes for a nation for a world for an individual. The king may have rebelled, but the King of Kings is not lost his grip.

No nation or leaders rebellion ever creates havoc in heaven fact that the president of North Korea recently put to death publicly.

Some of the citizens. About 80 of them.

Many of them for owning a personal copy of the Bible fact that our news media outlets remained absolutely silent did not create some kind of emergency session in the court of heaven what are we gonna do now from God's perspective and now there's.

By the way they have gained this martyrs crown and I just been given a tour of their golden residence in the father's house. The sinful defiance of Saul and the nation. By the way, that at this point is really still doing whatever is right in their own. That doesn't throw heaven into a panic mode. This is quite a reminder.

Samuel CC was assuming that Israel's worst days are ahead. God happens to know that Israel's best days are ahead. Jesus he's about to anoint the greatest king. Israel will ever have.

Saul just to run out until his descendents, son of David on the side, and sends rain upon the earth. CC has two problems with this perspective we have the same problems to he's grieving over the past he's worried about the future that just sort wraps up our Samuel here is is weeping continually, and you can read in his grave. All is lost, all is lost.says Samuel go get your flask of oil.

I've Artie chosen the next day. I have plans for the future of this nation in your life. I think when when he hears that from the Lord, though he just about things you got a king already picked out verse two Samuel said, how can I go going to go in anointed king. If Saul hears it easier to kill me in the Lord to take a heifer with you and say I have come to sacrifice to the Lord for you all knotted up. Keep in mind that this wasn't something Samuel was just going to say something. He was actually going to do what the words say throw you the Arctic has been lost to Israel's enemies.

Samuel the priest has the circuit and he's been going around holding sacrificial ceremonies for this portable ceremony so to speak to God isn't telling Samuel to just say this for God isn't telling Samuel to deceive. He's telling him to disguise his hidden agenda. Given the fact that is 7015 years or so before David assumes the throne of God definitely doesn't want Saul or anybody else coming apart at the seams. In fact, to show you that that I believe that David and Jesse and his brothers in the family really didn't know what Samuel was up to really change that Sunday school picture you might have in your mind as we work through this. David is going to be officially anointed king incentives Samuel chapter 2, 15 years later.

This anointing as I show you is is going to accomplish something. L so it does is easy make. So he makes a plan for sacrificial festival and following that sacrifice, there would've been a feast in Samuel. We know from biblical history would have eaten someone's home.

Notice first three.

Here's the home. Samuel invite Jesse that sacrifice and then I'm to show you what you'll do. You shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you notice this God isn't declaring this publicly God in Samuel are about to carry on this quiet, silent conversation.

Verse four Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem.

I love the fact that all the elders come out of there trembling becoming piece right exactly sure why. More than likely have a guilty conscience because Samuel represents the law. We found out more than likely they know that that my mizzen isn't necessarily and Samuel's normal circuit they've already heard the news about Saul's rebellion and is saving to do something that brings about unrest or maybe even Civil War are you coming with peace and you don't really answer them. He just sacrifice effectively, but did you notice where he comes Bethlehem is traveling to the ancestral homestead of David's great-grandfather Boaz and great-grandmother Ruth this is this is the family farm and in this village one day and in the future. David's descendent will be born Jesus Christ.

These are the skies refilled with the angelic host singing glory to God in the highest.

She Samuel's visit to Bethlehem is not an accident. This isn't baling wire and duct tape unit try to put some kind of plan together because Saul really messed everything up. This is not Plan B. This is plan a we know there's an interval between the sacrifice and the meal from what verse 11 tells us don't don't look there going Samuel can refuse to sit down and see them. We also know from biblical history that this interval takes place because there's going to be a time without heifer is going to be sacrificing portions of the prepared and eaten great joy. More than likely Samuel is now moving from the altar scene of the sacrifice to the feasting, the scene of the sacrifice which would have been in someone's home and it's clear it's in Jesse's home.

All the sons are now invited to meet Samuel keep in mind Samuel is the only one who knows why he wants to meet them and even after he leaves them none of them are to be your wife.

One of them is been chosen by God. Now, one more thing the will look at the problem for Samuel hears that he doesn't have a glass slipper and his pal in a size 11 Tripoli the guy the words that he's the king. Samuel is not been given much information from God. If I think he really is and even given the criteria for choosing the next king, which is why savings going to keep wanting to choose the wrong which I think is wonderful and that's a sermon in itself. You think will allow the godly saddle God gives him the future it all week at a time. No, you just obey me and I'll fill in the blanks with AMI just get closer to God. Don't tell me about three days from now you just obey me and I'll fill in the blanks. Because no information no clarification. These is the next king and this is a secret conversation between God and so so he no glass slipper there. There's no list, no resume. Notice what happens for six he's introduced each sun beginning in Oriel customer the oldest when they came. Here's the first. He looked on. All I am thought surely the Lord's anointed is now standing before the Lord said to Samuel do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I rejected as I've chosen for the Lord sees not as man sees man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart say more about this in a moment the one of the things that strikes me again about Samuel is that he still looking for another Saul.

When Saul had anointed was anointed by Samuel back in chapter 9.

The biblical description that impressed Samuel and everybody else was that Saul was head and shoulders above the average guy so you put them at about 626364 striking all that's that's a cane for you as soon as Samuel C is a liar he's reaching first flask of oil is the tallest great praise after decades of above lies leading is blind in this area, encouraging he wants Saul part two God whispers in his spirits will leave the flask right where you put in your pocket. I'm not looking at his height. I'm looking at its heart say Jesse because of been a dad passed before Samuel, he said it has the Lord chosen this one all the sons passed by verse nine and each one. Evidently God is whispering that that when either. By the way, this is the pageant were all the contestants lined up and walked by Samuel and their high heels and maybe got asked a question by Samuel and how they would solve world hunger and then stimulus to some absolutely ridiculous answers nodded as if it was deep in actuality this is this really nothing more than a typical introduction of every song before Samuel, there passing before him being introduced and all I don't want to miss this as well just see he is aligning them sing one of the BK doughboy one of them making a dozen it all, he would have been thrilled if one of his sons have been chosen to be king even change his life forever. This is this is the most though he's ever having some studies he's able introduces boys to to to the great prophet, priest and one of us can be selected in his mind. My understanding based on what isn't said what they do not ask him what Samuel refuses to disclose they some evangelical scholars believe that some believe Samuel is just just anointing and in turn an apprentice to the aging profit. The only clue to give God that there's some kind of quest taking place. The Jesse would've picked up on his verse 10 Jesse made seven of his sons passed before Samuel and Samuel said to Jesse, the Lord has not chosen these now he would have been left to assume since Saul is on the throne. He's the king and his new into the rain is 15 years more to go. By the way, that is, one author said that he would assume that David is potentially consecrating one of his sons to be a pupil of the prophets, prophets proliferated profit apprentice.

By the way David will become a prophet. He will write inspiring texts and inspired Scripture but the truth is it is the grace of God keeps Jesse and his sons in the dark just as it is the grace of God often keep us in the dark. Had they been informed that the dynasty of salt will not take roots that the royal line is a shift from the tribe of Benjamin to the tribe of Judah, that the son of Saul, Jonathan will not wear the crown so I would have considered this event this reason, he would've killed Samuel and Jesse.

They would've found it until he got everyone of those signs and put in the debt he will kill to keep his route is the grace of God disguises the agenda numbers 11. Samuel said to Jesse are all your sons here.

He's confused, he just didn't get it said well the remains. Yet the youngest holdings keeping machine remains literally the smallest you could translate that the least important.

But look he's tending the sheep choose an apprentice.

He's implying that David is the last possible some of his you want most unusual stories you can take this chapter to be aligned to the next king Jesse doesn't think David is king material probably would've been happy for David to actually worse.

Jesse doesn't even think David qualifies to be Samuel's cyst. Stephen has more to this lesson were going to stop here for today will conclude this message on tomorrow's broadcast.

This message is entitled and unlikely king, and it comes from Stephen series on the life of David called the singer. Her office is closed today is our staff team enjoys some extra time with family and friends. If you want to interact with us. The best way to do that is online, you'll find our website@wisdomonline.org that's all we have time for today.

Thanks so much for listening. I hope you'll join us again tomorrow for more list for the hearts