1 Samuel 17

There is a treasure of insight in this chapter. The most often talked about is David going against Goliath. However the Lord also speaks about many other things within these verses.

Verse 13-15 say, “And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third shammah. And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. But David went and returned from Saul to feed his Father’s sheep at Bethlehem.”

If God says something multiple times we ought to listen. The three eldest followed Saul, not the Lord. Yet we see that David returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep. There are two happenings here. The majority of elder brethren are following Saul (man) into battle where there is action, while David is tucked away learning what it truly means to be a shepherd of God feeding His sheep. Peter also once wanted to go to battle and drew the sword, however was also later on given the high calling by the Lord to simply “Feed His Sheep.”

Saul can represent so many things. Saul can be the apostle who shared this word with you. Saul can be the prophet who God uses in glorious ways. Saul can be the evangelist who’s boldness you admire. Saul can be the elder who always has the right words at the right time. Saul can be the teacher who’s spiritual insight has blessed you. We must submit to Saul as David did, but we need to ask ourselves constantly, “who are we following?” Are our eyes on a man, or the Lord Jesus Christ Himself?

Many times if we truly choose to go the way of David and follow the Lord outside the camp bearing His reproach, we will also be accused by our eldest brother of pride and naughtiness even though we were simply obeying our father’s command to bring corn, bread, and cheese to our brethren. This scene also parallels the story of Joseph in many ways. The first are last and the last are first.

In the end God uses David, the youngest, who knew the victory was won in the name of the Lord alone. While David’s brethren were following Saul, David was learning the ways of the Lord. His heart was to simply feed natural sheep and obeying the word of his father to feed his brethren. A true shepherd’s heart.

Follow God, not Saul.

Acts 16:23-28

“and when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: who having received such a charge, thrust them into inner prison, and made their feet fast in stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands we’re loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, do thyself no harm: for we are all here.”

Many reading this have been afflicted with not only stripes, but imprisonment in the darkest dungeon. Not only in prison, but the inner chamber. Not only the inner chamber, but feet fast in stocks. Not only feet fast in stocks, but it’s also the midnight hour. Sons of God make no mistake, the Lord has put you into this prison. You have no means of escape naturally. Your only duty is to pray and praise God. When the midnight hour is upon the earth the Lord may bid you the dungeon to bring forth His glory in the darkest of places. God gives a promise in these verses. Your praise will shake the foundation of the devil’s prison house and set the captives free. Not only will the other prisoners hear you, but your jailer will find grace in the sight of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are there to bring your enemy to the Lord. You are there to witness Christ. Paul and Silas had every right to triumphantly walk through the open door God created, but out of love for their enemy they chose to stay. This man and his household were saved because of their selflessness. You are in the prison for a reason. Pray and praise until the captives are set free.