GREAT GRACE: THE RISE OF THE SHEPHERD BOY

Week 3: THE RISE OF THE SHEPHERD BOY

During this study, we will be doing a ‘deep dive’ into a scriptural passage. It is strongly encouraged that you study the passage and entire chapter ahead of the study. Also be prepared with your research tools, for example Google or your study Bible, as you will need to reference it during the study. Spend time answering and discussing each question with the intention to gain sufficient understanding to help your own private Bible study as you further explore these topics.

Study Chapters: 1 Samuel 16-17; 18-30; Romans 8

Pilot text

1 Sam 16:6-12 6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”

1 Sam 17:34-37 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Discussion Points

1. What are your thoughts on how God saw David compared to how He saw Saul? [Consider those qualities David had that other people perhaps did not recognise.]
2. How did David’s understanding of grace reflect in his encounter with Goliath? [Consider the source of his strength and confidence.]
3. David was chosen and anointed king while a shepherd boy. Do you think David had any prior experience relevant to the job description (and what was it, if so)?

Closing thoughts:

The story of Saul’s rejection provides an important backdrop to David’s selection. While Saul represented the law, or works, David represented grace – God’s original plan (see Rom 8:1-4). When Jacob was blessing his children, he declared by the Spirit of God: “The scepter [of royalty] shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes, And to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples” Gen 49:10 [AMP]. So we see that God’s original intention was that the kingship of Israel would arise from Judah. In the sense that the law was an interruption of the divine intent from the beginning, Saul’s kingship was an interruption of the divine intent for God’s people.

David’s story is one of grace in action – showing us how God calls, empowers and uses the unexpected. His selection was not about how he looked, his height, or his presentation; but about walking by faith and not by sight. The bible describes David as a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14). So what did see God when He looked at David? “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” Heb 11:6 [NLT]. David’s faith was reaffirmed in Heb 11:32, making clear to us that it was this faith that allowed David to “please God” and access grace so abundantly.

As we embrace God’s unlimited grace towards us, let us likewise come by unfettered faith in Christ; which is the only way we can truly access that which God has freely given to us.

Heb 4:16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favour] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):

1. A friend feels called to greatness but is currently in a “shepherd field” season of life – feeling unseen and unrecognized. What would your advice be to them. “Faith is more important than preparation in spiritual battles.” Agree / disagree with reasons.
2. A sister confides in you that she is experiencing jealousy and resistance as she steps into God’s call upon her life (like David experience with Eliab or Saul). She comes to you for counsel. What would you say to her?