In 1 Samuel 16, King Saul is afflicted with a spirit of torment and in deep need of comfort and help. He sent his servants the request to provide a man who could play well and comfort him. One of his servants suggested young David saying in verse 18, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.” David’s father Jesse was sent a message to “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” How did the father respond? How could you respond to the king? He prepared the boy with supplies and David was sent to the king’s service where he was loved by the king (vs. 21).
Grieving mom and dad, a higher King has called your beloved children into His service and, as painful as it is, it is a privilege to send them into His work. Just as Jesse did not hold back his precious son, we cannot hold back our own from the One greater than Jesse. Just as Jesse prepared his son to serve the king, we prepared our children to serve the king. Just Jesse let the boy remain working among the king in his court (as if we have a choice), our children are to remain with the King of kings and Lord of lords. Just as David was loved by the king, our children are loved by the Eternal King.
If Jesse could entrust his beautiful boy to a flawed king, can we not entrust our beautiful children to the perfect One? One who is greater than Saul has called your child higher up and deeper still. He can be trusted.
- King Saul was erratic and unpredictable, but God is unchanging and steadfast (Mal. 3:6).
- King Saul was foolish and unwise, but God possesses perfect wisdom (Rom. 11:33).
- King Saul was disobedient, but God is perfectly righteous in all His ways (Psa. 145:17).
- King Saul was consumed by jealousy, but God is perfectly loving (1 John 4:8).
- King Saul was troubled and tormented, but God possesses perfect peace (1 Cor. 14:33).
- King Saul was fearful of losing his kingdom, but God’s kingdom can never be shaken (Heb. 12:28).
- King Saul was insecure and feared the opinions of men, but God is sovereign over all things (Psa. 115:3).
- King Saul frequently acted unjustly, but God is perfectly just in all His judgments (Deut. 32:4).
- King Saul’s anger threatened those who served him, but God’s compassion rests upon His children (Psa. 103:13).
- King Saul was often unfaithful to his calling, but God is eternally faithful to His promises (2 Tim. 2:13).
- King Saul could not see the hearts of those around him, but God knows His servants perfectly (1 Sam. 16:7).
- King Saul’s reign was temporary and ended in death, but God’s reign is everlasting (Psa. 145:13).
- King Saul could not protect his servants from death, but God has conquered death itself (Rev. 1:17–18).
- King Saul eventually rejected David, but God will never cast away those who belong to Him (John 6:37).
- King Saul’s kingdom was marked by conflict and sorrow, but God’s eternal kingdom will be free from suffering (Rev. 21:4).
Our children are not in the service of a king who might fail them, mistreat them, or forget them. They are in the presence of the King of Kings, whose goodness knows no limits, whose wisdom knows no bounds, and whose love will never fail.
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