1 Samuel 16:1-13

Saul’s narrative has been one of soaring heights, but of flawed spiritual character and faith. This leads to God rejecting him.

Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to Jesse. One of his sons will be anointed king. Seven sons are paraded in front of Samuel. God rejects them all.

God does not look at the outward appearance, but at the heart when He does His choosing.

There is something in David’s nature. He is growing in character.

Babies are not perfect.  They are flawed in two ways:

1. They are selfish.
2. They are unreasonable.

If you allow a child to stay unreasonable and selfish, you raise a narcissist. They will destroy every relationship they have.

The baby brother, David, had become a good shepherd.

The times David has trouble is when he slips into being self-centered.

We don’t know how David became a good shepherd. Somewhere David learned that if he was doing the right thing, God would protect him.

David, being sent by his father on an errand, stands before Saul and is asked what makes him think he can take on the trained warrior Goliath.

David’s reply is when I have watched my father’s sheep, lions and bears have come to devour them. God has been with me and I have killed them. This guy is defying God. God will go with me.

God is about to twist the plot and change the narrative of David’s life.

As the army of Israel watches in shock, David marches to face down Goliath.

David most likely looked back on them in equal disbelief asking, “Why haven’t you done this?”

David’s story does not begin with Goliath. David’s story begins in the dark of the night, forgotten, alone with the sheep facing predators of the night.

David’s early battles prepared him for his defining battle.

Psalm 23:1-6

God does not look at the circumstances of your past. He looks at the faithfulness of your heart today. He will twist the plot. He can change the narrative.