Snapshots from the Life of David - Week 1 Study Guide
“Answer the Call”
Introduction
Life has purpose and meaning. Genesis chapter 1 verses 27-28 tells us that God created mankind and then gave mankind a purpose. The purpose was to have dominion over the world. Each person has a God-given purpose (Ephesians 2:10). The key to a fulfilling life is to discover your God-given purpose. The verses for this week tell of David's call and purpose. His God-given purpose was to lead God's people as King. In studying this passage we can see principles that relate to our own call and purpose. There is a general call and a specific call.
The general call is to become a follower of Jesus Christ. God wants everyone to be saved and to become a follower of Jesus — that is the general call.
Second is our specific call. This is based upon our gifts (abilities) that God has given us and our personality. We discover our call as we build our relationship with Jesus and walk with Him. He calls us to follow Him (general call) and then He trains, molds and empowers us, and releases us to a specific call. A good example of this is what Paul says about himself in Romans chapter 1 verse 1. Paul says he is a servant of Jesus Christ (general call) and called to be an apostle (specific call).
Background Information
Saul was the first King of the nation of Israel. He was called by God to be the king. He started out well, but rather than see his position as a responsibility before God and the people, he became proud and saw his position as a privilege for himself. Instead of following what God said, he began to do what he wanted. God therefore rejected him as king and sent Samuel to anoint one of the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem as Saul's replacement (chapter 15 of 1 Samuel).
Samuel was the prophet of God at that time. A prophet was a person who spoke to the people on behalf of God. The method of announcing someone had been chosen by God as the king was for the prophet to anoint (pour oil on the head of) the person called. Thus the word “anointed” refers to being chosen. The key word in the verses we are studying is “chosen” and the related phrase “the Lord's anointed.”
Generally the oldest son was the one who had preference over all the other sons. Here Eliab was the oldest son (1 Samuel 17:28) and would be assumed to be the one chosen. Taking care of the sheep, as David was doing, was consider low-level work. This indicates the lack of importance David had in the eyes of his father as the youngest son. The second half of chapter 16 verse 7 is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible and a key principle of this story.
Digging Deeper Questions
1. Why is it important for someone to know their call from God?
2. Discuss where you are in discovering your call from God. Are you certain, in the process of discovery, or uncertain? Discuss together your journey in your calling.
3. Have the group tell this story in their own words. Break the story down into sections.
4. Read I Samuel 16:6-7. Why did Samuel think that Eliab was the one chosen by God? What did God tell Samuel? How can we apply this principle in our lives and the lives of others?
5. Why do you think that David's father did not even invite David to the dinner? Have you ever felt overlooked? Have people ever told you that you cannot do something? How do you feel and respond when that happens?
6. What happened in verses 12-13? How do you think David felt? How do you think the father felt? How do you think the brothers felt?
7. What is your application from this story for your own life?
This Week’s Challenge
Identify your specific call and discuss it with your group. If you do not know your call, then start praying to God to reveal it to you. You are welcome to speak to one of the Pastors if you would like help in this area.