206 Second Friday of Advent: Young David

On the second Friday of Advent, we remember David.
The ornament for today should represent David, a Shepherd to the People (a harp).
The story of David before he became king is found in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel in the Old Testament. David was a young shepherd boy who was anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel.

David's story begins with his humble beginnings as a shepherd in Bethlehem. He was the youngest son of Jesse, and his family did not consider him a likely candidate for kingship. However, God saw something special in David and chose him to be the future king of Israel.

David's first significant encounter with King Saul came when he was called to play the harp for him. Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, and David's music brought him peace. David's bravery was also demonstrated when he defeated the Philistine giant, Goliath, with a single stone from his sling.

As David's reputation grew, Saul became jealous and began to see him as a threat to his kingship. Saul pursued David relentlessly, forcing him to flee and hide in the wilderness. Despite the challenges he faced, David remained faithful to God and trusted in His protection.

Throughout his trials and tribulations, David demonstrated qualities of courage, faithfulness, and humility. He relied on God's strength to overcome obstacles and trusted in His provision for his needs. Eventually, David was anointed as king of Judah and later became the king of all of Israel.

Overall, the story of David before he became king teaches us about the importance of humility, faithfulness, reliance on God's strength and provision, courage, and good leadership. It encourages us to cultivate these qualities in our own lives and seek to serve others with humility and compassion.

For further reading, check out The Young David in 1 Samuel 16–17.
David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18
Saul and David in 1 Samuel 24:28