How God is Preparing You to Be a King

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  • One of the greatest Kings of all time
    • Israel was expanded 6000 to 60000 square miles
    • Set up trade routes
    • Subdued the Philistines as a mighty warrior
    • Premier nation
  • National statesman
  • Musician, poet, psalmist

BUT…David went through a lot before he became; he went through a lot in order to become King.

As the youngest of 8 boys he was relegated to being the lowly shepherd, while the older ones had the more sought after positions of being in the Sauls army.

After killing Goliath he found favor for a short time with Saul (in his court) until Saul became threatened (in his own mind) by David. David was then on the run from Saul for many years sometimes residing in caves and other times with the enemy. During his years of wandering he continued to under go trials and tribulations BEFORE he eventually assumed the throne.

Today I would like to go over some of these events in more detail and have a look at how God prepared David to be one of the Greatest Kings of all times and apply it to us today to see how God is preparing us to be kings in His soon coming Kingdom

God Often Prepares Us in Unexpected Ways

Because we often look at the external and discernible, we don’t readily see what God sees

He called:

  • the weakest [3 oldest were warriors in Sauls army]
  • Youngest of 8 boys
  • least thought of:

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.”
1 Samuel 16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.”
1 Samuel 16:10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
1 Samuel 16:11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”

So because God looks at us in a different way, He often prepares us in unexpected ways!

Shepherd (learned to take care of the sheep [the people])

1 Samuel 16:12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”
1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Protector of the flock (sling) Grew to be Brave, Courageous and Fearless in God

1 Samuel 17:34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
1 Samuel 17:35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”

SIDE NOTE: God gives us the tools necessary to do our part

1 Samuel 17:40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.

Goliath (overwhelming situation) Trust in God, but do your part (5 stones)

As I remember Mr Armstrong saying, “Rely on God, but WORK as though it all depended ON You!”

God provides us with all that we need for our fight as Christian Soldiers

Musician (opened doors)

1 Samuel 16:18 Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.”

1 Samuel 16:23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

How is it that God is preparing you to be a King?

Faithful in little?

Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

We should be doing what you are supposed to (no matter what you think your calling is)…and God will come for you in time.

Strive with all your might at whatever you put your hand to and dont look back.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Be diligent in all areas of your life!

We may think that we have a meaningless, unimportant life. We can not think that way.

There are Godly principles to be gleaned and learned in every aspect of our life. So…

What ever state you find your self in be happy

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

to be content:

The word used here for content is : autarkēs ow-tar’-kace

It literally means self-sufficient [you can see the “self” as in auto-mobile]

This is not the self-sufficiency as defined today, but rather:

Sufficient with the state we find ourself in

the state that we find our self in should be sufficient

What is it that we are doing now? How will God use it? These are questions that you need to ask yourself.

Can we say that anything we are doing is not profitable and meaningful? I wouldnt…even if it is small in our own eyes

God Prepares Us Through Trials

How? God will remove whatever is necessary to develop us and Humble us. He takes the carnality and human nature out and replaces it with His Righteousness and His Godly nature. Through this we build the Holy Righteous Character of God that He requires to rule with Him as King

Let’s notice how God removed the supports and crutches from Davids life.

His meteoric rise to “glory” was short lived

Saul demoted David and he lost his position within Sauls Court

1 Samuel 18:13 Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

And then lost position in the Army

Lost his wife Michal when she helped David escape and he left her behind

1 Samuel 25:44 But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

Lost His confidante Samuel when he died

1 Samuel 25:1 Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him at his home in Ramah. And David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.

Friend Jonathan

1 Samuel 20:17 Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

1 Samuel 20:41 As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so.
1 Samuel 20:42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever.’ ” So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

Self respect

1 Samuel 21:13 So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard.

Achish supposed him insane

David fled twice into caves

On one occasion, in the cave of Adullam, when he fled from Achish king of Gath;

The cave of Engedi, where he had taken refuge from the pursuit of Saul.

A prayer in the midst of that trial

Psalm 142:1 A Contemplation Of David. A Prayer When He Was in the Cave. I cry out to the LORD with my voice; With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
Psalm 142:2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.
Psalm 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me.
Psalm 142:4 Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.
Psalm 142:5 I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.
Psalm 142:6 Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I.
Psalm 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

DAVID TURNED TO GOD – EYES ON HIM. After taking away what doesn’t belong God can then reroute your life and start anew.

Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Especially true in the end-time

Revelation 3:17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

SIDE NOTE: God provides a way out

Whether

1 Samuel 19:1 Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David.
1 Samuel 19:2 So Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide.

1 Samuel 23:14 And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.

Those are just 2 examples

We can be confident…1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

If you lean too heavily on something then God will have to take it away.

God will knock out what ever crutches we are relying on, the false supports, the things that do not last and rebuild them with what does.

God Prepares Us Slowly But Surely
(Character Cannot be Hurried)

From the anointing to assuming the throne was 10-13 years. He was told that he was king and yet God waited a decade or more to put him up there. It is not done by fiat

God used Saul to shape David in the sheep to throne years.

In Sauls court (someone in a position over us that doesnt deserve to be there or is evil)

1 Samuel 18:10 And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand.
1 Samuel 18:11 And Saul cast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” But David escaped his presence twice.
1 Samuel 18:12 Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul.

Fled from the castle with Michals help, and for one reason or another he left her, his wife, behind

Saul, with superior numbers, pursued David while was at Ziph; Then at Hachilah; Thought better about it when David was at Gath (probably would have if he wasnt living with Giants; where Goliath was from)

SIDE NOTE:

While he prepares us we should Be about our Fathers business as Jesus was

Luk 2:49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

1 Samuel 16:19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”

David is going to be the next King and he went back to tending the flock.

One of the most interesting statements that I came across…tells about his character

1 Samuel 17:15 But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

And he was still serving his father and brothers.

1 Samuel 17:16 And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening.
1 Samuel 17:17 Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp.
1 Samuel 17:18 And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.”

We are to keep doing what we are supposed to be doing. Just because we have a special calling of God [and we do have a special calling] doesnt mean we can sit back and wait for everything to be handed to us. We are to be about our Fathers business. God is watching even when no one else is.

God Prepares us in this World

If we were to be taken out of the world, how would we build character.

Do you want to see a real testing ground.

Achish, King of Gath

1 Samuel 21:13 So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard.

1 Samuel 27:1 And David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me anymore in any part of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand.”
1 Samuel 27:2 Then David arose and went over with the six hundred men who were with him to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
1 Samuel 27:3 So David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s widow.

(We live in it and are not to be a part of it)

We are living with the enemies, Self, Satan, and Society

Self – we can be our own worst enemy

Satan – goes without saying

Society – they dont necessarily mean to be that way. But carnality gets the best of them.

Philippians 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, [set on a hill]

Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

Just as David had many journeys (Keilah, Moab, Gath, Ziklag) we will too. Its not as much where we are going on this Earth but how we get there.

We are in training now. God is slowly but surely preparing us in ways that we may not know, through trials that will can on and on, but if we do our part, He will do His and in the end we can look forward to being with Him in the Kingdom.

God IS Preparing Us
(He is Doing His Part, We Must Let Him)

Have faith;

Follow God

Tests David by delivering Saul on a platter TWICE (didnt take matters into his own hands)

1 Samuel 24:1 Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, “Take note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi.”
1 Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
1 Samuel 24:3 So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.)
1 Samuel 24:4 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’ ” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
1 Samuel 24:5 Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.
1 Samuel 24:6 And he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.”
1 Samuel 24:7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.

1 Samuel 26:8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!”
1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?”
1 Samuel 26:10 David said furthermore, “As the LORD lives, the LORD shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish.
1 Samuel 26:11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.”

  • Let God do His part
  • Wait on Him
  • Do not take matters into your own hands

Luke 21:19 By your patience possess your souls.

Matthew 24:13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

  • no shortcuts
  • no leaning on our own understanding
  • always do what is right