King at Last

The Story

David was just a shepherd boy when the prophet Samuel poured oil on his head and anointed him to be the next king of Israel.

Then nothing happened. At least, not the way David might have expected.

Instead of a crown, David got years of trouble. He served King Saul, who grew jealous and tried to kill him. He spent years running, hiding in caves and deserts, living like an outlaw. Twice he had a chance to kill Saul and take the throne, and twice he refused. He would wait for God.

Even after Saul died, David ruled only the tribe of Judah for seven and a half years while the rest of the nation followed someone else.

Finally, all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. “Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh,” they said. And the Lord said to thee, “Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.”

They anointed David king over all Israel. He was thirty years old. He captured the stronghold of Zion and made Jerusalem his city.

“And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.” And David perceived that the Lord had established him as king.

Reflection