Rev. E. Anderson
DIVINELY PRIMED TO THE END
In reviewing the life and service of king David one senses that he was divinely primed and timed from beginning to the end of his career. He commences so early in his childhood and youth with a genuine experience of God and saw Him act so graciously in that period. He had a remarkable faith attitude so early and God is seen so clearly at the outset determining his affairs.
In coming to the throne it was all providentially arranged and as he occupied it he saw God establishing him and the kingdom of Israel in a remarkable manner. In the closing period of his days he knows in a beautiful fashion the priming and timing of God in climaxing matters.The New Testament testimony concerning him is given in a comprehensive affirmation: ‘David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God. . . .’ – Acts 13: 36. His arrival on the scene was God appointed and the events of his life throughout prove beyond doubt that the Lord showed a special interest in this individual, and it has to be said, David expressed special interest and commitment to the Lord.
Here are a number of important instances in his history that denotes the priming and timing of the Lord.
1/. HE WAS SUITABLY PRIMED AND TIMED WHEN FIRST ANOINTED WITH THE PROSPECT OF BECOMING THE NEXT MONARCH
Whilst so young he is chosen and called by the Lord and informed what his life’s destiny is to be. At this seeming immature state he is summoned and made aware of the fact that ultimately he is destined to be Israel’s king. But he takes it so humbly and graciously and does not allow arrogance or any other evil to pervert this sacred calling to a high vocation. He can be trusted with the supreme revelation.
2/. HE WAS PERFECTLY PRIMED AND TIMED TO ACT AS A MUSICIAN TO MINISTER TO THE KING AMIDST HIS DEPRESSION
He must have counted it a privilege and honour to be summoned to perform in this manner and bring spiritual relief to his sovereign. The opportunity to function in this capacity and to see the effect of his playing when Saul was far fro happy must have been most rewarding. In playing out on hills to the Lord and the sheep was now being used in another way and it was indicative that the Lord was grooming him.
3/. HE WAS GREATLY PRIMED AND TIMED TO TAKE ON THE OFFENSIVE OPPOSITION UNDER THE DOMINATION OF GOLIATH – 1 Samuel 17: 1-58.
A whole chapter is devoted to this amazing account of how a young teenager was used by God to outdo a monstrous man that was an insult to God and Israel. His appearance on the scene of battle was no accident or coincidence but was all suitably arranged by the Lord. It was now time to bring him to the fore so that Israel would get some idea of this amazing individual although so young! He made history that day and David the giant-killer has served and does serve as an inspiration to countless others similarly placed – the term ‘giant-killer’ must have had its origin in him. He was able to bring Israel’s God right into the foreground and picture.
4/. HE WAS WISELY PRIMED AND TIMED TO DEVELOP A VITAL LEADERSIP IN DIFFICULT TIMES – 1 Samuel 22; 2 Samuel 23: 8-39
Things were not going to be easy for the God-fearing servant and dealing with Saul appeared to be more problematic than the Philistines! It was during this period that he is thrust into a situation where others join him and he has assume great responsibility over the. He takes this major task on and by example develops great quality of worth and leadership in them. They evidently got their cue from him and they became primed and timed in readiness for something greater.
5/. HE WAS CERTAINLY PRIMED AND TIMED WHEN HE CAME TO THE THRONE TO DESTROY ISRAEL’S ENEMIES AND ESTABLISH THE NATION FOR THE Lord – 2 Samuel 5: 6-25
The first thing on the agenda was the conquest of the principal city that was a formidable proposition but he and his men were ready for it. The Philistines felt it was the opportune moment to deal with and conquer David at the outset and so the battle lines were drawn. Both the Lord and David were wholly prepared for this eventuality and so right from the start it became evident who was the ruling authority. Other nations were also compelled to own David and Israel’s status.
6/. HE WAS TRULY PRIMED AND TIMED TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR HIS SUCCESSOR – 1 KINGS 1
Efforts were made by two of his sons to obtain the throne of Israel illegally, Absalom and Adonijah but to no avail. They were both thwarted and the rightful one came to be his successor, Solomon. David did give him a solemn charge – 1 Kings 2: 2-4; 1 Chronicles 29: 19.He was to build on what David had established and take the nation forward. Unfortunately he did not have the same quality of spiritual life and faith that his father had demonstrated otherwise things would have proceeded in a better manner. But David had given a noble pattern and others did see him in this light and sought to emulate him.
6/. HE WAS GLORIOUSLY PRIMED AND TIMED TO SET UP MATTERS FOR THE BUIDLING OF THE DIVINE TEMPLE – 1 CHRONICLES 29; 1-17
Possibly the supreme thing that desired and dictated the being of David was that of building a glorious house for the Lord. He expressed his wish to Nathan and the prophet brought the issue to the Lord – 2 Samuel 7: 1- 3 but was instructed that he would not be permitted to do so. However, it did not stop him from making tremendous provision for the time when it would go ahead under Solomon. He was primed and timed to give in an extraordinary fashion and this got into the people.
CONCLUSION
He left a permanent incredible example for others to accept and emulate and portrays what God can do with one person who is truly and fully primed and timed by him. He who was to prefigure the greater David, Jesus Christ, has given a pattern to copy in terms of anointing, in being able to pacify and bring relief to depressed spirits, to take on incredible challenges in honouring the Lord, in training others to become competent and efficient, to move on to greater conquests, to prepare the way for those that will succeed us and to make sure that we seek to build the sanctuary that will house the Lord, the Church of the Living God.
