DAVID STUDY (#3)--"A MAN THAT CAN PLAY WELL"----(1 Samuel 16:13-23)

KING DAVID'S life takes up a large portion of scripture.  Though he lived over 30 centuries ago, he still has much to say to us in this modern day.  
In our previous study we looked at the ANNOINTING OF DAVID as king by the prophet Samuel.  It would be at least 15 years before David would actually sit on the throne, but these were not idle or wasted years!  This annointing was essential for a number of reasons....when the church refers to the word "ANNOINTING" we are speaking of the touch of God on our lives.  

*David needed the "annointing" or "touch of God" for various reasons:
(1)-A MOURNING PROPHET---(Samuel)
(2)-A MISERABLE PEOPLE----(They were oppressed by war and taxation)
(3)-A MADENING PRINCE------(Saul was going crazy!)
(4)-A MENACING PHILISTINE-(Goliath/Satan)

WHAT IS YOUR ASSIGNMENT?  God always has a job for his people to do!   As for David, the first assignment following his annointing was to play the harp for king Saul.-(TOPIC-v.17)
CONCERNING MUSIC--------"cunning"
CINCERNING MANHOOD---"valiant"
CONCERNING MATTERS---"prudent"
CONCERNING MISTIQUE---"comely"
CONCERNING MIGHTY GOD-"The Lord is with him"!

Saul was troubled and discouraged.....he doesn't need anyone who will hit a bad note or sing a sad song; what the king needs is for A MAN TO PLAY WELL!!!-(David could SING-FIGHT-SPEAK and LOOK like he was somebody going somewhere!)
God used four very specialized tools to train young David for his role as the king of Israel. David probably would have never chosen these four tools for himself, but they were used of God to prepare him for the work that lay ahead.  It is these same four tools that God uses when He seeks to train us. 
I. (v. 19) GOD USES THE TOOL OF SOLITUDE
It was on the lonely hills of Judea, with a flock of sheep for his companions that David learned some of the most valuable and basic lessons of life. He learned how to be alone with God and with himself. Away from the distractions and noise of others, David learned how to hear the voice of God.  Many in our day have no idea what its like to be alone with God. It seems they have trouble being alone. They cannot survive without noise!
Jesus Christ sought time to be alone with His Father.  Mark 1:35, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”   It is in the times of solitude that God prepares us for greater things!

II. (v. 18) GOD USES THE TOOL OF SECRECY
Before David would ever sit on the throne and rule the nation of Israel; he would first spend countless hours alone, unacknowledged and unappreciated. Day after Day David spent his time with his father’s sheep on the lonely hills of Judea. There, David learned to be faithful to his responsibilities, even though no one else was watching!
Before Moses was fit to lead Israel, he spent forty years in the shadow of Mount Horeb leading Jethro’s sheep. The same truth can even be seen in the life of Jesus. Before He ever presented Himself as Israel’s Messiah and the Savior of the elect, He was raised in obscurity, Luke 2:51-52. It was in that place of secrecy that God prepared the Lamb for His greatest work.  *Jesus said "The last shall be first and the first shall be last” because he has reserved a special reward for the unseen prayer warriors and servants who have labored in the dark shadows of obscurity!  (The Widow and her Mites – Matt. 12:41-44)
III. (v. 11, 19, 17:15) GOD USES THE TOOL OF SAMENESS
David went about the monotony of keeping his Father’s sheep. Countless days, endless routines, the same things day in and day out.  David applied himself to the task of giving his best during the mundane times of life. Then, when God promoted him, he did not have to learn to be faithful; he already knew how. He did not have to learn responsibility; he had already learned that lesson.
The same is true for us. Often day blends into day and see our lives as nothing but a boring, monotonous existence. What we fail to see is that God is working.  As we learn faithfulness in the seemingly insignificant areas of Life, God will expand our level of responsibility.   Matthew 25:21, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”   The little things are the foundation of our lives. Keep praying, even when it appears that He isn’t hearing. Keep going to church, even when it seems nothing much is happening. Keep giving, even when it gets tight financially. Keep living for Jesus, day in and day out
IV. (17:34-37; 40-51) GOD USES THE TOOL OF STRUGGLE
David’s life was not all about the mundane and the routine. We hear him tell about encounters he had with a lion and bear, 1 Sam. 17:34-37. We watch as he walks alone into a valley and kills a giant named Goliath, 1 Sam. 17:40-51. We see him ignored, 1 Sam. 16:11; criticized, 1 Sam. 17:28 and underestimated, 1 Sam. 17:33; 43-44. 
We can even see him as he is hated and pursued by King Saul, 1 Sam. 18:8-12; 19:9-10. God used the classroom of adversity as a valuable tool designed to teach David about the power, provision and providence of God.  God was shaping the boy into the man who would become king. 
Whatever tools the Lord may be applying to your life this evening, let me encourage you to yield to Him. He isn’t trying to harm you; He is trying to develop Himself within your life. He is taking you and shaping you into His image for His glory.
*God is in the business of building kings. What is He doing in your life?