April 8, 2024 - 1 Chronicles 10-13

The first king of Israel, Saul, and his sons were killed in a battle with the Philistines.  Saul had disobeyed God, he died, and now, in death, he “turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse” (10:14).  “Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, ‘Behold, we are your bone and flesh.  In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel.  And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel’” (11:1-2). 

“Even when Saul was king . . .”  That word “even” is significant, I think.  During Saul’s reign, though Saul was leader in name, David was leader in so many ways.  We know about “figureheads,” those who carry high titles or who are placed in positions of authority and who receive credit when things go well but who are totally reliant upon responsible, trustworthy, able “underlings.”  Now, David’s name would become renowned, and even while Saul was king, the people recognized his greatness.  But David had so often labored and led, not as king but as a subject of the king, often failing to get the credit that he deserved.  In all walks of life, and especially in service to our God, we will often go unnoticed but that only for awhile.  Consider the words of the master to his servant:  “Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master”  (Matthew 25:23).  We are called, not to seek credit, fame and fortune, but to faithfulness whether others notice or not.  Charles Wesley understood:

Servant of God, well done!

Thy glorious warfare's past;

The battle's fought, the race is won,

And thou art crowned at last.   --Charles Wesley (18th century)