This is the last in our series we began last year that I named "Training for Reigning." Next week, we will pick up where we leave off this week to start another series on the life and reign of David. To finish up this thread, let's look at David's second anointing when he became king of Judah:
In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah (2 Samuel 2:1-4).
Let's consider the significance of this event to conclude our study of leadership lessons we can apply to our own lives.
HOW OLD?
David's first anointing took place when Samuel visited his family in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. He was the least likely candidate then and his days serving Saul seemed to indicate that he would never make it to the throne. How old was David when Samuel anointed him? The Bible doesn't actually tell us, but based on the words used to describe him and given the fact that he was the youngest son, it's safe to say he was between ten and fifteen years old.
Then how old was David when he became king of Judah? Once again, the Bible doesn't really say but we know from 2 Samuel 5:4 that he became king at the age of 30 and reigned for 40 years. There's some question if he served four decades as king when considering both his time as Judah's king and then all of Israel, or 40 years just reigning over Israel. I'm going to assume it was a combined total.
But let's do more math. Let's say David was 15 when Samuel anointed him. That meant he had been waiting for the fulfillment of his first anointing for fifteen years—maybe more. What was he doing during those years? He served as a shepherd, court musician, warrior, army leader, husband to two wives (three if you consider Michal who was given to another man), father, fugitive, backslider, and guerilla fighter. That's a full resume for someone's entire life but that only covered a decade-and-a-half of David's life.
THE IMPLICATIONS
God was in no hurry to fulfill His promise to David of the throne for God had much to do to prepare David for his destiny. After at least fifteen years, David was finally king over a portion of Israel—his own tribe. Yet he had to wait another seven-and-a-half years (age 37) before he ascended the throne for all the tribes.
No matter your age, there's a tendency to think, "I should be further along in my career or ministry or development." In all probability, you are right where you need to be. The very doubt indicates your desire to do and be all you can, and that means God is leading you, even when you can't sense His presence or understand the reason for your convoluted path to your purpose promise. The important thing is to make the most of where you are now so you can be ready when your "time" comes—and it will come.
As we close out this series, we have a foretaste of the fulfillment of God's promise in David's life, but as we will learn in the next series that the challenges with Saul's legacy weren't going to end easily, and David would have more lessons to learn that were part of his training for reigning in the seven-plus years ruling Judah. The same is true for you and I hope that you, like David, will stay the course and continue to trust that God knows what He's doing, even if He is following His own timetable and not yours. Have a blessed week!
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