This is a 6-part look at the life of King David and how he developed his discipline. Let’s begin with part 1.
1 Samuel 16:21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
David’s story is well known. As well as being a famous biblical figure, he was a man after God’s own heart. I will use him as an example of discipline as he was a great leader, a master of himself but also stumbled in his own time. He made mistakes and this is the mystery- what was it about his heart that God favoured? It is easy to imagine that we can uncover all mysteries of God but it is through his revelations we piece together his character. Through his word, we gain an understanding of his nature. While he is a great god and while we cannot uncover all in a moment, looking at David gives us a better idea of exactly what we should aim for. That said, he still had his moments of weakness.
David’s comes before us in Samuel 16, when he is anointed to be king. This is in front of his brothers and father who expected him to remain with the sheep. Yet, God lifted him from this existence and placed him in a different life. This wasn’t immediate. There was a process and one we will look at. When it comes to discipline it seems we must act. We must overcome ourselves and our fears to do what we know to be right.
David went through a process that began with service. He worked in the palace serving Saul. He used his gifts and managed to calm a battered and bruised Saul. Saul was king, Saul had been chosen but now was the time of his fall. While he still remained on the throne, David was his comfort. Yet through this God had a plan. As I have said, I would be foolish to imagine I can uncover all of God’s plans. Yet, it is plain to see that while David was in the palace, he could observe this king. He could see what was right and what didn’t work. Through this observation, he had the ability to learn.
What position are you in where you can observe? Are you in a place as David was where you feel that you should be higher or that you long to move on? Use this as an opportunity to learn, to use the space to discover what you are called to do. Even as a leader you are called to serve.
“And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” Mark 9:35
Before he was a leader, David watched the sheep. He could never have known what he was destined to do. Did he have moments where he thought he was made for great things? David went through his preparation and this is where we begin.