From Runt to Ruler
1 Samuel 17:17-20 One day Jesse said to his son David, “Take this basket of cooked grain and these ten loaves of bread to your brothers in the camp. Also take these ten pieces of cheese for the officer who commands your brothers’ group of 1000 soldiers. See how your brothers are doing. Bring back something to show me your brothers are all right. Your brothers are with Saul and all the Israelite soldiers in the Valley of Elah. They are there to fight against the Philistines.” Early in the morning, David had another shepherd take care of the sheep while he took the food and left as Jesse had told him to. David drove their wagon to the camp. The soldiers were going out to their battle positions just as David arrived. The soldiers began shouting their war cry. The Israelites and Philistines were lined up and ready for battle.
Sometimes, it’s the seemingly most benign, most innocuous passages of Scripture that pack the greatest punch. Today, we’re going to look at one of those. Get ready for the punch.
Whilst David eventually became Israel’s greatest king, as a young lad, he was considered to be the runt of the litter.
1 Samuel 17:17-20 One day Jesse said to his son David, “Take this basket of cooked grain and these ten loaves of bread to your brothers in the camp. Also take these ten pieces of cheese for the officer who commands your brothers’ group of 1000 soldiers. See how your brothers are doing. Bring back something to show me your brothers are all right. Your brothers are with Saul and all the Israelite soldiers in the Valley of Elah. They are there to fight against the Philistines.” Early in the morning, David had another shepherd take care of the sheep while he took the food and left as Jesse had told him to. David drove their wagon to the camp. The soldiers were going out to their battle positions just as David arrived. The soldiers began shouting their war cry. The Israelites and Philistines were lined up and ready for battle.
So, David’s brothers were numbered amongst the mighty warriors of Israel, ready to do battle, while he was reduced to the ignominious task of delivering their lunch. You may well know how this story unfolds. The Israelites were terrified because the Philistines had a giant, Goliath, on their side. But David takes him on, slays him, and eventually becomes king of Israel. From runt to ruler.
Now for the punch. David would never have become king; had he not been prepared to deliver the lunch. Those who are too big for the small jobs, are invariably too small for the big ones.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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