I Samuel Chapters 16-18

16:1 - I can understand what Samuel is going through here. When you have invested in somebody and had high hopes for somebodies life and ministry...it is hard to see it all fall apart and move on. When there is pain and broken relationships and church discipline involved...it's hard to getting going again. Although leaders are allowed to grieve...they cannot allow failure and rejection to destroy their future ministry.

16:7 - This is a great verse for people to really take to heart. Gd doesn't care about what people look like, He cares about total inner surrender to His will - that's what is important...that is what defines worth.

16:11 - To his family, David is an after thought. He is the youngest...he's a shepherd (Which was looked down on in their culture)...they figured, why bother bringing David in - it's just David!

16:13 - The transition of godly leadership of Israel is complete. The Spirit of God leaves Saul and moves to David. It takes a while for Saul to get the picture, but we will see that God instantly starts using David as His leader. I also find is shocking that it is written that the Spirit of God is with David from that day forward, because there are some times when he does some really vile stuff. Imagine the grief of the Holy Spirit as David ignores His leading and forces the Spirit with him into that situation with Bathsheba!

16:14 - God is not evil...the word for evil can also be translated as harmful. Throughout the OT we see that God has no problem using pagan/vile people to bring judgement on Israel. Like when he allows the Philistines to oppress His rebellious people. Here we see that God allows an evil/harmful spirit to bring judgement on Saul. It also leads o David being brought into the royal court...all part of God's plan.

16:18 - Good reminder for us...David's godly actions speak volumes to people who see him. What does your life preach?

16:23 - David becomes entrenched in the world of the royal court and God allows the spirit to leave Saul, because that part of the plan is fulfilled.

Goliath - Here are some stats for ya - 9 feet 9 inches tall. He has a shield that covers his entire body (I'm guessing its custom made...that' one big shield!). The chain mail he wears, weighs 125 lbs! The head on his spear weighs 15 lbs - which is insanely heavy for a spearhead. He is basically a walking, human tank. I'd be scared.

17:26 - David rejects the fear that everyone else in Israel has and instead is insanely jealous for the name of God. Do you fight for his name?

17:28 - His older brother is jealous of David and feels guilty because he knows David's response is more godly, so he tries to belittle him. He tries to embarrass David by bringing up the fact that he is supposed to be watching sheep not going to war like the big boys. I have seen this happen a million times...Christians try to embarrass other Christian who are actually willing to live God honoring lives. As we should - David ignores him.

17:37 - David's faith in God ends up being much more important and valuable than battle experience and training. This is also often the case in ministry. Give me a leader or minister who is a faithful follower of God with no skill over and experienced jerk any day.

17:43 - I love it! Ancient battle smack talk! It's pretty good too..."Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?" Is he referring to David's skinny teenage arms or just coming to battle with a staff...either way it's good. Of course David is un-phased and answers like any good teenager..."Whatever - God's gonna hand you over to me so let's get to it."

17:55 - Saul knows David from court, but cannot remember where he comes from. He wants to know the heritage of the boy, so that he can bring him into court full time.

18:1 - Jonathan is a man of God and instantly connects with David who is also a man of God. David and Jonathan share the same heart for God...Jonathan could have been an incredibly godly king, but his dad sacrificed it all.

18:3 - This is a picture of Jonathan (symbolically) giving up his right to the throne for David. It just speaks s highly of Jonathan's character. David is his number one rival fr the throne...he is loved by the people...and Jonathan befriends him and supports him unconditionally.

18:8 - Saul is again driven mad with jealousy because he cares more about what people think than about what God thinks.

18:12 - Saul cared nothing about what was best for the kingdom and what honored God...he cared only for himself. It is the downfall of his kingdom.

18:21 - Saul is so jealous he is even willing to use the love of his daughter to try to kill David. Sometimes people get so blinded by their jealousy and self-worship that they will use anyone around them to get their way.

18:28 - Saul knows that God is with David and he still hates David. That is vile. Jealousy like this still exists in churches today. Sometimes people allow jealous to ruin their ability to support and encourage the ministry of others.