2 Samuel 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and sweet psalmist of Israel said.
Oh Friends in Christ, I certainly hope that when we opened our eyes this morning and realized that we were still here, alive and kicking, we raised our eyes to heaven and directed a prayer of thanks upwards, as Bruh David pledged to do. (Ps.5:3) Or if we lifted up our eyes to the hills and wondered where our help would come from, that we answered with confidence and courage; ‘My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.’ (Ps. 121:2) It sorta took me by surprise to read about Bruh David’s last words since he wrote so many, mostly beautiful, emotional ones, all in praise and glory, or pleas for help to the God of his fathers. That’s why the Lord appreciated him so much and called him a man after his own heart. And the truth is, I actually had a Bit dealing with some of his last words, but when I began writing I suddenly found myself writing about the way the author describes him in vs.1, so I eventually had to change the Bit to vs.1. And who says the Lord doesn’t move in mysterious ways eh? (smile) I truly like the way the writer deals with the subject. ‘Now these be the last words of David.’ Having said his last words were coming up, he then aptly describes him, his major attributes and accomplishments in a few words. ‘David the son of Jesse said,’ There he tells us his father’s name, which in the olden days was rather important. People were known and judged by their ancestors and their lineage. Jesus was of Bruh David’s lineage. Then he continues; ‘and the man who was raised up on high.’ This obviously means that something good and/or great took place in his life. We know it did, and the Lord never let Him forget it either. He reminded Bruh David of his lowly beginnings and of his unlikely ascension to power when He brokered the everlasting covenant with him. These were the Lord’s instructions to the prophet Nathan: ‘Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people Israel. And I was with thee withersoever thou wentest, and have cast off all thine enemies out of thy sight and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men in the earth.’ (2 Sam.7:8-9) Oh my people, that’s one of our God’s favourite habits; to raise up the lowly, the unlikely, to great power to thwart the earthly wisdom of men. And it’s certainly a credit to Bruh David’s integrity that he never forgot his humble beginnings or who raised him up to such majestic heights. Let’s not any of us forget that most important lesson if we ever happen to be elevated to positions of power, because there’s a tendency in men to believe that it’s their own mighty arm and mind that catapults them to lofty heights. Friends, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s always the hand of the Most High God Jehovah that lifts us up. And He greatly detests and despises those who glorify themselves when they should be glorifying Him. Another description of Bruh David is, ‘the anointed of the God of Jacob.’ Remember when the Lord sent Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king of Israel? All his sons were there except Bruh David, who was out minding the sheep, cause nobody considered him kingly material. But Friends, little did they know that the Lord was training him out in the wilderness; to hunt, to shoot with his catapult, to fight off the wild animals, to just sit quietly and think, to day-dream and communicate with Him. In actual fact the Lord was building Bruh David’s character all the time he was with the sheep, cause great leaders must have strong, well-defined characters. And I chuckle every time the Lord does something that confuses the wisdom of men; like how Samuel had seven of Jesse’s sons pass before him, and the Lord said no to each one. Poor Samuel must have been totally perplexed. He must have stammered to himself and the Lord: ‘Buh…but Lord what’s happening here? You specifically said to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, but now you’ve turned them all down.’ Don’t know if the Lord answered, but Sam eventually asked Jesse if those were all his sons, and when Jesse said no, there was one more out with the sheep, he ordered them to go and get him. Friends, can you imagine the scene when Bruh David came in? Hn! The Good Book says: ‘Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look at, (a strong, good looking youngster). And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.’ (1 Sam.16:12-13) Can you picture the father and his siblings; how their jaws must have dropped and their mouths opened in amazement and disbelief when they realized that the least amongst them would one day be first? And again it speaks oodles for Bruh David’s character and integrity that unexpectedly given advance warning of his eventual rise to power, while he was waiting, and he waited very patiently too, he never became arrogant, selfish, greedy or none of the negative things that power usually does to men. He remained the humble, down to earth man all his life. That’s why the people and the Lord LOVED him so much. He never exhibited no setta airs and graces, even when he became king. I always laugh when I remember how his wife Michal, Saul’s daughter castigated him for dancing in the street half naked, like a commoner, with the common people, when he brought the ark up to Jerusalem.’ (2 Sam.6: 12-23) It reminds me of some of my wife’s remarks whenever I partied heartily. (smile) But Bruh David put Michal in her place by replying; ‘It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord.’ Amen mih brother! He never boasted concerning his slaying of Goliath or of his many valiant victories in battle. The Good Book says: ‘And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.’ (1 Sam.18:5) The people admired him so much that when Saul and him came back victorious from fighting; ‘that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.’ (1 Sam.18:6-7) That got Saul’s jealousy surging, and from then he plotted to kill Bruh David. But Saul forgot that he was the Lord’s anointed, and whom the Lord anoints, no man can destroy. But when Bruh David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he refused. ‘The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.’ (1 Sam. 24:6) That’s the major difference between Bruh David and Saul; the former had respect unto the Lord, while the latter didn’t. Oh Friends, like we run out of time and space. But all yuh know that anything’s possible when the ole fella writing on Bruh David. But tomorrow we’ll continue, for there’s still lots to say about Bruh David. Till then, let’s LOVE our God and LIVE our Faith, with the excitement, intensity and integrity that Bruh David did. Much LOVE!…to build character…one must undergo hardship…
Oh Friends in Christ, I certainly hope that when we opened our eyes this morning and realized that we were still here, alive and kicking, we raised our eyes to heaven and directed a prayer of thanks upwards, as Bruh David pledged to do. (Ps.5:3) Or if we lifted up our eyes to the hills and wondered where our help would come from, that we answered with confidence and courage; ‘My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.’ (Ps. 121:2) It sorta took me by surprise to read about Bruh David’s last words since he wrote so many, mostly beautiful, emotional ones, all in praise and glory, or pleas for help to the God of his fathers. That’s why the Lord appreciated him so much and called him a man after his own heart. And the truth is, I actually had a Bit dealing with some of his last words, but when I began writing I suddenly found myself writing about the way the author describes him in vs.1, so I eventually had to change the Bit to vs.1. And who says the Lord doesn’t move in mysterious ways eh? (smile) I truly like the way the writer deals with the subject. ‘Now these be the last words of David.’ Having said his last words were coming up, he then aptly describes him, his major attributes and accomplishments in a few words. ‘David the son of Jesse said,’ There he tells us his father’s name, which in the olden days was rather important. People were known and judged by their ancestors and their lineage. Jesus was of Bruh David’s lineage. Then he continues; ‘and the man who was raised up on high.’ This obviously means that something good and/or great took place in his life. We know it did, and the Lord never let Him forget it either. He reminded Bruh David of his lowly beginnings and of his unlikely ascension to power when He brokered the everlasting covenant with him. These were the Lord’s instructions to the prophet Nathan: ‘Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people Israel. And I was with thee withersoever thou wentest, and have cast off all thine enemies out of thy sight and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men in the earth.’ (2 Sam.7:8-9) Oh my people, that’s one of our God’s favourite habits; to raise up the lowly, the unlikely, to great power to thwart the earthly wisdom of men. And it’s certainly a credit to Bruh David’s integrity that he never forgot his humble beginnings or who raised him up to such majestic heights. Let’s not any of us forget that most important lesson if we ever happen to be elevated to positions of power, because there’s a tendency in men to believe that it’s their own mighty arm and mind that catapults them to lofty heights. Friends, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s always the hand of the Most High God Jehovah that lifts us up. And He greatly detests and despises those who glorify themselves when they should be glorifying Him. Another description of Bruh David is, ‘the anointed of the God of Jacob.’ Remember when the Lord sent Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king of Israel? All his sons were there except Bruh David, who was out minding the sheep, cause nobody considered him kingly material. But Friends, little did they know that the Lord was training him out in the wilderness; to hunt, to shoot with his catapult, to fight off the wild animals, to just sit quietly and think, to day-dream and communicate with Him. In actual fact the Lord was building Bruh David’s character all the time he was with the sheep, cause great leaders must have strong, well-defined characters. And I chuckle every time the Lord does something that confuses the wisdom of men; like how Samuel had seven of Jesse’s sons pass before him, and the Lord said no to each one. Poor Samuel must have been totally perplexed. He must have stammered to himself and the Lord: ‘Buh…but Lord what’s happening here? You specifically said to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, but now you’ve turned them all down.’ Don’t know if the Lord answered, but Sam eventually asked Jesse if those were all his sons, and when Jesse said no, there was one more out with the sheep, he ordered them to go and get him. Friends, can you imagine the scene when Bruh David came in? Hn! The Good Book says: ‘Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look at, (a strong, good looking youngster). And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.’ (1 Sam.16:12-13) Can you picture the father and his siblings; how their jaws must have dropped and their mouths opened in amazement and disbelief when they realized that the least amongst them would one day be first? And again it speaks oodles for Bruh David’s character and integrity that unexpectedly given advance warning of his eventual rise to power, while he was waiting, and he waited very patiently too, he never became arrogant, selfish, greedy or none of the negative things that power usually does to men. He remained the humble, down to earth man all his life. That’s why the people and the Lord LOVED him so much. He never exhibited no setta airs and graces, even when he became king. I always laugh when I remember how his wife Michal, Saul’s daughter castigated him for dancing in the street half naked, like a commoner, with the common people, when he brought the ark up to Jerusalem.’ (2 Sam.6: 12-23) It reminds me of some of my wife’s remarks whenever I partied heartily. (smile) But Bruh David put Michal in her place by replying; ‘It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord.’ Amen mih brother! He never boasted concerning his slaying of Goliath or of his many valiant victories in battle. The Good Book says: ‘And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.’ (1 Sam.18:5) The people admired him so much that when Saul and him came back victorious from fighting; ‘that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.’ (1 Sam.18:6-7) That got Saul’s jealousy surging, and from then he plotted to kill Bruh David. But Saul forgot that he was the Lord’s anointed, and whom the Lord anoints, no man can destroy. But when Bruh David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he refused. ‘The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.’ (1 Sam. 24:6) That’s the major difference between Bruh David and Saul; the former had respect unto the Lord, while the latter didn’t. Oh Friends, like we run out of time and space. But all yuh know that anything’s possible when the ole fella writing on Bruh David. But tomorrow we’ll continue, for there’s still lots to say about Bruh David. Till then, let’s LOVE our God and LIVE our Faith, with the excitement, intensity and integrity that Bruh David did. Much LOVE!…to build character…one must undergo hardship…
SCRIP-BITS 