Samuel anointed David as king in front of his entire family – the same family who didn’t even invite him to attend – and from that day forward the Spirit of the LORD came upon David powerfully (I Samuel 16:1-13). But instead of claiming his throne and receiving his kingdom, David returns to the fields to take care of the sheep and goats. I can’t imagine what it felt like to go from such an extreme high only to be smacked in the face by reality. David was called by God, anointed by the spirit and destined for greatness, and yet somehow he winds up being stuck in the middle of ordinary.
Then a glimmer of hope arrives. It’s an invite to the palace, the very place David should be. But it isn’t to claim his throne and become king, it’s to be a harpist (I Samuel 16:14-23). He is but a stone’s throw from his destiny, closer physically than when he was tending livestock, yet he is just as far and that is beyond frustrating. And David could’ve been bitter about the situation or taken matters into his own hands, yet he didn’t. In fact, there were many opportunities when David could’ve taken the throne from Saul – the throne that was rightfully his – but he didn’t; choosing instead to place his trust in God.
God’s Calling
David’s story is unlike all the other callings I’ve read about. When Jesus called the fishermen to follow him, they left everything and immediately followed Him (Matthew 4:18-22). When God called Saul on the Damascus road, Saul immediately did what the Lord told him to do (Acts 9:1-19); he didn’t wait years. David, on the other hand, was anointed king long before he was ever given the kingdom. God could’ve waited to anoint him once Saul was removed from the throne but He didn’t. While Saul was still king, God chose David.
David had to wait several years before the fulfillment of his calling. But those years of waiting weren’t wasted; they were years of training. God was teaching him the skills he would need. As a harpist and Saul’s armor bearer, he got a behind the scenes look at the logistics of running a palace. He learned about loyalty, how to fight and lead men; all skills he would need to be a good king. He may have had to wait to get his kingdom but God was preparing him to receive it.
What I’m Learning
Callings never turn out the way we think they should. Sometimes they do, other times they don’t. The one truth I know is that we don’t need to get anxious when the calling God has in our life isn’t turning out the way we thought it would. Instead, trust God in the waiting; He may be preparing you to receive your calling.