When I tapped him for service, David was out following sheep around the fields; now I’ve got armies and nations following him. He’s a big boy now, and I Am a big God. And if I’d have wanted something of more permanence in which to house the symbols of My presence with the nation of Israel, I could have made it for myself, or certainly directed its construction with the same precision with which I outlined the tabernacle tent complex in all its detail. However – and this is a big however – I Am willing to incorporate David’s desire for this rather significant shift in My perceived locus with the people. I’m just not prepared to let him be the one to build Me “a house.” (We’ll unpack that a bit further on.) At this point in My chat with David, though, I do make him several promises in response to his proposal. These promises center first on David, then on his next-in-line son who will reign once David breathes no more, and then finally on their direct descendants (with a particular eventual descendant in mind).

Perhaps My promise of a life of deep value, meaning, and joy seems too far off and bodacious for you right now, a little bit like Joshua must have felt crossing the border with his ragtag army of herders, being told they were going to conquer all the land all the way north to the Euphrates. Did Joshua declare war on the northern territories at that point? Nope. Promise fulfillment takes time sometimes. Joshua handled the lands at hand and did what he could do – trusting that Icould do what He couldn’t at that point (and that I would do what I’d promised). Trust Me to get you where I’ve promised to take you. Take the important step of starting with what’s at hand. Don’t be overwhelmed by how much has to be done. Just begin.

David’s discernment of his present situation reboots things with a fresh start, and I’ve got one ready for you too. Delving further, note how the tone of things switches from fear to celebration. David is dancing up a storm on the way in, and the people are hitting the buffet with what can only be smiles on their faces. Hear this: being reunited with Me is something to celebrate, to get happy about, to mark as something significant and special. Because nothing is or can ever be more significant than getting into (or returning to) relationship with Me

In full disclosure, there is a bit of a delay in the triumphal reentry of My ark into the life of Israel. David is admittedly a little freaked out by the crispy remains of Uzzah, and isn’t sure he wants such a lightning rod so close to home in Jerusalem. He leaves the ark at the nearby home of Levite (and fellow lyre player, as it turns out) Obed-edom[1]for three months. He’s a kind fellow who treats My ark with the honor and respect it deserves. I return the favor, and those are the best months of his and his family’s lives as I pour out blessings over them all.

David’s a quick learner and gets the message. There’s no need to fear Me or My ark if you’re honoring Me and maintaining My holiness protocol. Walking in My Way is going to yield blessing both short and long term.

[1] II Samuel 6:11, I Chronicles 15:18-24, etc.

The romance isn’t over, or shall I say, the romantic theme isn’t. When Abner sends messengers offering his support to David at Hebron, the king has a condition for his acceptance of Abner’s support. David requires that his first love, Michal, the daughter of Saul who loved him and saved his skin with an animal skin back in the beginning, be returned to him. You remember: the daughter for whom Saul had required 100 Philistine foreskins as a reverse dowry.

Obviously Abner’s a crafty and resourceful fellow, or he’d not have gotten this far. Let’s remember this is all about Abner getting back at Ishbaal, because Ishbaal had the audacity to rebuke Abner over his bedroom sin with Rizpah…

David’s been expecting that My promises will come true eventually, and he’s been acting according to that anticipation. You should act like that too.

Samuel already told Saul everything he needs to know at this point: he’s out. Saul’s asked Me to show him what to do through his own dreams or even by lot through the priests’ lot-casting Urim, but Saul’s come up with bupkis on every front. The poor fellow finally rightly senses he’s painted himself into a bit of a corner. He’s acknowledged that I’ve chosen David to be the next king, but instead of stepping down from the throne and handing it over to the one I’ve chosen to replace him, Saul has held on to the monarchy with an alienating grip. He can feel the crown slipping away, and is desperate to know how he can possibly hang on. And once again, this is a habitat in which transfer of power occurs only when the one in power dies. Since there’s no one alive who can help him right now in this desperate time, Saul turns to desperate measures and finds a medium. (1 Samuel 28)

A most telling exchange and perhaps the best moment in the story for both David and Saul comes another time when Saul’s gotten really good intel on David’s whereabouts and is after him with his elite royal forces.[1] When they’re getting really close – closer than they realize – Saul decides he’d better relieve himself so as not to be uncomfortable during the expected ensuing battle.

[1] I Samuel 24

The military side of David’s role in the Abraplan is going to be mighty important too, and the keenness of his young faith is even more important than his keen aim here as he trusts Me to triumph through him over Goliath. We’ve already mentioned the contrasts that mount up as We’ve gone along, contrasts that point to David’s ability to see the situation through the eyes of faith; as opposed to virtually everyone else in the valley – regardless of whose side they’re on – seeing the situation as if I do not exist. Clearly, the man who is going to act as My anointed agent in moving My people forward toward the rescue of all humanity is going to have to have David’s sight, not Saul’s.

Well, as much as I like building suspense as We go along, I’m going to go ahead and spill the beans with regard to some of the lessons to learn from David’s entry into Saul and Israel’s life. The first account We just unpacked has David coming onto Saul’s radar because of the shepherd boy’s musical talents. There’s a layer in it for you to boot if you’ll have it, so listen closely.

Saul has got a “difficulty following directions” problem. Overlooked or at least put up with in schoolchildren (or in husbands who won’t even ask for directions, much less follow them), the king of Israel has no such margin of error. The first king of Israel, especially, with whom precedent is being set for all the kings that follow, certainly has no such margin. He’s got to take My commands – My directions – seriously enough to fully obey them. So when I decide it’s time to deal with the Amalekites in the south through Saul and his forces, and when I give him detailed direction on how to do so, he’d better pay attention to the details.

As they reach the outskirts of town, escorted by the prophet, the servant boy is sent off ahead. Saul is retained awhile in order that Samuel may reveal and initiate My will for the relatively young Benjamite (not too young: Saul is long married and already has an adult son of whom you’ll soon hear).

Samuel produces a flask of oil and proceeds to pour it over Saul’s head. It’s a bit of a reach, since Saul is a head taller than anyone else in Israel. “Bend down here,” the prophet says. He pours the oil, kisses Saul, and pronounces, “Yahveh has anointed you as ruler over His people Israel. You shall reign over the people of Yahveh and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around.” Note, please, that I Am not giving the people to Saul. They’re not going to behispeople. They’re still Mine. You too, BTW.

We both know the ark is a device I’ve chosen with which to relate to humanity in its still-developing stages, and that a physical seat of My presence is something I’ve done to help them sense Our connection with them. I Am not confined to that particular piece of furniture, though I’ve ordained it to be used so, and it’s as fancy as it can be. In beating the Israelites and capturing the ark (which you saw coming), the Philistines capture Me no more than filling a balloon with air captures the earth’s atmosphere.

As young Samuel’s growth is chronicled in his book, a clear contrast develops between the pure sincerity of this boy and the self-indulgent corruption of Eli’s two older sons. Samuel is serving with humility while Hophni and Phineas are having sex with the women serving at the tabernacle entrance as greeters. Just as bad, Eli’s boys are keeping for themselves the portions of sacrifice meant for Me, extorting families for the better cuts and corrupting even the nation’s worship. The gap between the two scoundrels and young Samuel widens even more when I give Samuel The Call. Only he doesn’t know it’s Me…

[1] Taking up I Samuel 3.