Together - Daily DevotionalSample

David the Forgotten Child

Reading: 1 Sam.16:1-13

Key Verse: “”So he asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’. ‘There is still the youngest’, Jesse answered, ‘But he is tending the sheep’. Samuel said, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives’” v.11

David was arguably Israel’s greatest king and the story of his battle with Goliath is the stuff of legend; so much so that it is still referred to today when the “little guy” takes on the “big guy”. Yet less is known of how David came to be chosen to lead God’s people. Samuel was a prophet of God and had been instructed to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the new king. Samuel invited Jesse and his sons to a special sacrifice and feast. Even though he was a prophet, Samuel could not discern which of Jesse’s sons he should anoint because he only looked at their outward appearance, but God looked on their hearts (v.7). 

David was the youngest and smallest of Jesse’s sons. He had been forgotten by his father, neglected by his brothers and given the menial and dirty task of looking after sheep in the field whilst his family feasted in the house with a national celebrity. But even though David was a forgotten child, God knew him and chose to give him a new beginning filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and lead his people to greatness (v.13).

Prayer: Father I thank You that although others may forget me, You know me, choose me and fill me with Your Spirit