A CHARACTER STUDY OF A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART (PART 2) - BE FAITHFUL IN LITTLE THINGS (1 SAM 17:15-23)

Dear Members in Christ,

A character study of a man after God’s own heart (Part 2) - Be faithful in little things (1 Sam 17:15-23)

In the last article we studied the character of David in his youth. We read in the Bible of how this man of God was described as a “man after God’s own heart.” Why did this happen? This was a particular incident at the battlefield in Michmash. We read in 1 Samuel 13:5 that after Saul was anointed as king, he reigned for a year. Then the Philistines threatened the land and Saul had gathered an army to do battle. 

“… the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.” 1 Samuel 13:5

Saul was commanded to await Samuel’s arrival. But in the meantime, the people of Israel lost heart, and some of the fighters started to desert. Saul made a foolish decision to offer a burnt offering. This was a violation of God’s command as the offerings and sacrifices can only be carried out by a priest. When Samuel showed up, he was aghast at this act of sacrilege by Saul. In 1 Samuel 13:14, the prophet Samuel told Saul about God’s rejection of Saul as king, and God will seek out a replacement for the place of an anointed king over His people. 

“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” 1 Samuel 13:14

The man chosen was David. At this time, David was but a young lad, even then we could see from the record of scriptures of David’s character which hints to his being called a “man after God’s own heart”. The following article is a demonstration that there’s nothing too minor or unimportant when it comes to service for God’s people.

A.   David was too young to be a warrior, yet serving with his best ability

David was certainly a young man, “too young for the draft” as men would say. In the two World Wars of the past century, we read of some people who were not admitted into the army during the war years for not meeting the age requirement. Those who lived through the war years will attest of a sense of zeal and urgency when it comes to taking arms for one’s nation. Well, in the case of David, he was unfortunately passed over for this call to arms.

“And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.” 1 Samuel 17:14, 15

The Bible narrative tells us that David returned to feed his father’s sheep. This was David’s original “home duty” so to speak. In 1 Samuel 16:11, we read that when Samuel first sought David the boy, his father Jesse had said, “There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep”. This duty of keeping sheep must not be looked upon with disdain. Shepherding happens to be an excellent foundational work for kings. In a later encounter with Nathan the prophet, this was revealed to David, that God had called David to feed His people,    

“Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:” 2 Samuel 7:8

Dearly beloved, the young David was deemed by man to be too young for a warrior’s duty. Yet, the truth is that he was more than adequate, later on, he became the “giant-killer” of renown. David returned dutifully to his chore of shepherding, not knowing that it was God’s way of preparing him for a greater future task. Let us not think that any duty or service in church is too little or unimportant. Every task we set out to do however menial, can be seen as a preparatory step for greater service in the future.

B.   A young man who was responsible and dedicated to his task

Even from a young age, David proved to be a young man with a sense of responsibility.  Firstly, he obeyed doing “as Jesse had commanded him”. He saw to his responsibility as a shepherd by leaving his sheep (1 Samuel 17:20) with a keeper before setting off on his mission. Even though his shepherd’s job is a menial task, David exhibited diligence and responsibility befitting a future king.

“And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.” 1 Samuel 17:20

David was a shepherd and he knew that sheep are sensitive creatures, they need careful watch over them. David did not neglect his duty as a shepherd, he saw to it that the sheep had a keeper in his absence. This is a lesson for us, that we must be diligent and responsible for what is often perceived as “little things.” In the ministry, the “little things” do matter. A person who abandons his duty is a careless and negligent servant. A Christian with messy and untidy workplace reflects his general lack of aptitude to work of any kind, including his service for God’s work. A poorly prepared publication reflects our disregard for correctness and attention to detail. These are “little things” which reflect our sincerity and commitment to service.    

This lesson is about David’s sense of responsibility as he prepares to go about his mission.

As God’s servants, we must be diligent in every task assigned to us and conduct ourselves responsibly. The battle may be the LORD’s but human responsibility is required of God’s servant. We must do our utmost and give our best when preparing for the ministry, never taking any task as being unimportant and being careless about it. By this, we honour God’s Name. At the same time, we take on the responsibility for equipping ourselves for the spiritual battles we will encounter in ministry. May God grant us wisdom in His service. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor