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A Shepherd’s Crook for a Sceptre, July 4
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his
brethren: and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.
1 Samuel 16:13
.
As the sons of Jesse passed before Samuel, he would have selected Eliab, who
was of high stature, and dignified appearance, but the angel of God stood by him to
guide him in the important decision, and instructed him that he should not judge
from appearance. Eliab did not fear the Lord. His heart was not right with God. He
would make a proud, exacting ruler. None were found among the sons of Jesse but
David, the youngest, whose humble occupation was that of tending sheep. He had
filled the humble office of shepherd with such faithfulness and courage that God
selected him to be captain of his people. In course of time, he was to change his
shepherd’s crook for the sceptre (
Spiritual Gifts 4a:77, 78
).
God selected David, a humble shepherd, to rule His people. He was strict in all
the ceremonies connected with the Jewish religion, and he distinguished himself by
his boldness and unwavering trust in God. He was remarkable for his fidelity and
reverence. His firmness, humility, love of justice, and decision of character, qualified
him to carry out the high purposes of God, to instruct Israel in their devotions, and
to rule them as a generous and wise monarch.
His religious life was sincere and fervent. It was while David was thus true to
God, and possessing these exalted traits of character, that God calls him a man after
His own heart (
Spiritual Gifts 4a:85, 86
).
The great honor conferred upon David did not serve to elate him. Notwithstand-
ing the high position which he was to occupy, he quietly continued his employment,
content to await the development of the Lord’s plan in His own time and way. As
humble and modest as before his anointing, the shepherd boy returned to the hills
and watched and guarded his flocks as tenderly as ever....
David, in the beauty and vigor of his young manhood, was preparing to take
a high position with the noblest of the earth. His talents, as precious gifts from
God, were employed to extol the glory of the divine Giver. His opportunities of
contemplation and meditation served to enrich him with that wisdom and piety that
made him beloved of God and angels.... The love that moved him, the sorrows that
beset him, the triumphs that attended him, were all themes for his active thought;
and as he beheld the love of God in all the providences of his life, his heart throbbed
with more fervent adoration and gratitude, his voice rang out in richer melody,
his harp was swept with more exultant joy; and the shepherd boy proceeded from
strength to strength, from knowledge to knowledge; for the Spirit of the Lord was
upon him (
Patriarchs and Prophets, 641, 642
).
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