David and the Son of David
I will establish your descendants forever,
And build your throne for all generations. Psalm 89:4
Read 1 Samuel 24:16—20
This man who would become king, who would be the ancestor of the great Son of David, this man David, founder of the royal line, the forerunner of the King of Israel, of the King of the Jews who would one day come and tell everyone to love their enemies and pray for those who abuse them,[1] this David was a kind of tribal warlord gathering discontented followers and adventurers. He could easily, the way he was thwarted by the treacherous older Saul, have shed blood. Easily. It was set up for him. Saul said so. Instead, David let in the light. He let light into the dark place. I pray in the midst of the same kind of world still, and I pray for the light to be let in.
Prayer
God of Israel, God of David, Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, you anointed David to the kingship of Israel. You gave him psalms and songs of praise that I still use to honour you. You let him, this man who started life as an unlikely boy caring for his father’s sheep, you let him into your generous nature. You opened space for him. He honoured his enemy Saul out of reverence for you. He trusted his own future to you. It is because of you that he became the remembered King David. He prepared the way for the Son of David who is my Saviour. In my day and in my time, among all the power plays of the powerful, may the light of Jesus still come. And may that be the light in which I still live.
[1] Matthew 5:44