The Shepherd King I Samuel 17:15 I. Introduction. A. God does not choose men to be leaders in the same way as do humans. 1. Saul was chosen for his strength and great bodily appearance, "brave...courageous...modest at the beginning"(D. Lipscomb). 2. Solomon was chosen as one who had "great earthly wisdom and learning"(D. Lipscomb). 3. Both of the above possessed the kind of nature and behavior that pleases men. Yet.... a. One lifted up his heart, became proud and presumptuous: fearful of losing his throne(same God put him in could take him out). b. The other, in all his wisdom, could not control the strife and division in his reign, even tolerating idolatry. B. Between these two reigns, came a different kind of king: I Samuel 17:15. 1. Did not possess the manliness of Saul. 2. Was not as wise as Solomon. 3. In fact, he had weaknesses as other men, but there was something different about this shepherd king. C. Relate the choosing of David(rejected seven of his brothers before him). Why? I Samuel 16:7. a. A question and an answer: I Samuel 16:11. b. Note David's appearance: I Samuel 16:12. c. But...not his physical appearance made him king, but what was in his heart. d. No other person in Old Testament had this name. II. Body. A. The shepherd king was possessed with humility. 1. Went to tend sheep while other brothers were chosen as possible kings(he was the youngest in the family). 2. After the anointing, it would be some time before he would reign: I Samuel 16:21. 3. Asaph said: Psalm 78:70-72(David never forgot). 4. Let us never forget our origins as we enjoy our blessings. B. The shepherd king had strong faith and courage. 1. Expressed: Psalm 28:8-9. 2. Demonstrated: I Samuel 17:34-36. 3. And...Goliath: I Samuel 17:37. a. Would not accept armor. b. Used the weapons of a shepherd. c. Hence: I Samuel 17:45. 4. When he fled from Saul, he cut off the shirt of Saul's robe; confronted Saul. 5. Unjustly accused: I Samuel 17:28. C. The shepherd king possessed a "sense of loyalty." 1. Even to Saul, who would try to kill him(recognized his as God's anointed). 2. Can you imagine one serving king when he knew he would be the next king? and tolerating the treatment he received? 3. Above all else, David was loyal to Jehovah: Psalm 31:1-5. 4. Faithful men and women of today are like David. D. The shepherd king was a trusting individual. 1. Had a simple trust in God: Psalm 23. 2. Trusted Saul's son: Jonathon. 3. Trusted the people; they trusted him. I Samuel 18:16. E. The shepherd king described: I Samuel 16:18. 1. Skillful in playing. a. Would play the harp to calm Saul. b. Such a skill ties in well with David, the poet. c. A tenderness in this tender of sheep. 2. Mighty man of valor. a. In herding sheep; in leading armies; in acknowledging sin. b. No one could question his courage. 3. A comely person. a. Attractive, ruddy, handsome. b. One accepted by others because of manners and behavior. 4. And..JEHOVAH WAS WITH HIM. F. The shepherd king was human. 1. David sinned(no protection as king): II Samuel 11. 2. David repented: Psalm 51. 3. It is not easy to say, "I was wrong." 4. For his sin, David would pay the consequences(death of child; Absalom's rebellion). 5. David himself was a forgiving individual: Saul's mistreatment of David. III. Conclusion. A. God forgave David--he will forgive you. B. David said it: Psalm 32:1.-jy