A couple of years ago, my husband and I decided to have a less-conventional date at a local dairy farm. Yes, you read that right—we saw one of those “Things to Do in _______” Instagram posts from our town’s account, and listed among the newly opened coffee shops and trendy boutiques was a local farm that allows visitors to take a tour and have a cheese board with cheeses made from the goat and sheep milk (that’s the part that convinced me).
After being filled to the brim with insanely creamy and delicious cheese, I decided to find out more about the sheep we had visited. I learned that because sheep are instinctively skittish animals, when a shepherd wants to calm them, they will lift the sheep’s head. In this position, its entire body relaxes, allowing its head to turn and look at the shepherd.
Many of the metaphors used to describe David in Scripture reference his upbringing as a shepherd. In 1 Chronicles 11:2, God tells David that he will shepherd the people of Israel. First Chronicles 10:13 says, “Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD” and that God gave the kingdom over to its next king, David. Psalm 78 draws parallels between how David used to tend to ewes and how he used those skills to lead an entire nation (vv.70–72).
David was chosen to steward God’s people by the perfect shepherd, who was calling His people into a deeper relationship with Him. David knew about lifting a sheep’s head. As David followed God’s commands, mighty warriors from multiple tribes unified to follow him. As the number of soldiers following David grew, the rest of the nation also united to make David king (1Chronicles 12:38). Israel went from being led by an unfaithful king to God’s chosen shepherd.
While we know David didn’t perfectly follow God’s best throughout his life, his heart’s faithfulness was the thing that equipped him to lead God’s people. It’s comforting to remember that the best thing I can do as I clumsily follow Jesus is lift my head to Him, the true Good Shepherd, and continue to look to Him for everything I need.
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84 thoughts on "David’s Anointing as King"
A powerful reminder to lift our heads to god when we are feeling down ❤️❤️
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I love reading this as I sit with my patients. It’s really refreshing to have this story to help me in my stressful times at work. I know being faithful to God will serve me right.
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I agree! That was rather profound to read this. Definitely changes the meaning of the passages about shepherds
I agree! That was rather profound to read this. Definitely changes the meaning of the passages
Finishing my post… “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (verse 32). They were all also ready, trained, equipped! May it be said of us in this day as well!
Yes and what also really stood out to me in this reading was how these people “understood the times and knew what used
David’s heart’s faithfulness was the thing that equipped him to lead God’s people.
I feel this way as well! We are expecting our third child in July. Thankful for the reminder to lift our head up to Jesus!
@Victoria E – lifting you and your husband in prayer. For healing and comfort. And for friends and family to surround and love on you during this time.
I was coming here to mention Uriah! It was a reminder to me that God uses unfaithful sinners to accomplish His purposes. We are ALL unfaithful sinners, ultimately, but God, by His grace and mercy, saves us and cleanses us and uses us for His Kingdom.
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Thank you for this! I had my third girl in December and still struggling figuring out 3 under 5…while I don’t wish stress like this on others, it’s comforting knowing we aren’t alone. He is our strength!
love!
Amen
Praying for you Alexis! I have been in your shoes before and it’s not easy. The days are long with constant needs/interruptions from 3 kids(and not much sleep!) My kids are getting a little older now but I still struggle some days. But Gods grace always there. You are seeking Jesus and that’s the best thing you can do!
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Praying for you, Victoria!
Amen
I love learning about sheep. Also, reading that Uriah (Bathsheba’s husband) was listed as an early supporter and faithful warrior of David’s, holding a prestigious place as one of David’s Thirty Mighty Men, I am so sad.
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Praying for God’s healing touch to you and your family through the processing of your loss. I pray that you find peace in these readings and continue to grow in your relationship with Christ.
Hi sisters. It’s been a while since I posted. I’m just trying to get back into regular devotional time after a very busy and sad five weeks. Some of you know I was pregnant a few months ago, sadly I had a missed miscarriage and had to have surgery to clear everything. Work got insane at the same time and I felt so overwhelmed and bereft I took a break from SRT. I’m back now and happy to be here. Slowly working things out within myself and with God. Please pray for me
I didn’t know about the sheep and listing their heads when they’re skittish. This adds so much more meaning to all the passages that talk about us being sheep and Jesus being our shepherd
Congratulations Alexis Adams on the new baby! I pray you have energy, I can only do grandchildren 1 at a time! lol But you are young, and God knew you could do it! You are a warrior!
@Kimberly..praying for your job/hours!
@Jennifer Anapol (I think)…what a great attitude with a punctured tire and using the time to study SRT! YOU are amazing~
@Tina-hoping your day went well…and you get lots of sleep tonight!
@Eileen Dowd You are in my prayers, that must be hard.
I’m really loving this study/.
I’m doing my reading today as I sit in my cold car (because it’s snowing again) waiting for the tow truck to come because I have a punctured tire. I was stewing for a bit but then realized that this would be the perfect time to do the reading. Happy Monday everyone!
I love that all I have to do is keep my eyes on Jesus. I don’t need to be perfect, just keep my eyes on him. ❤️
ALEXIS congratulations! Praying now for you that you will find the rest you need at the appropriate time.
Praying Tina
Amen o
I always admire king David’s character (minus the Bathsheba scandal where he fell hard). Being born the youngest, his own father did not believe in him for being so small, his own father nominated the first born who was tall and handsome to the prophet Samuel when he came to look for the future king to anoint, David’s dad passed on him (if you were passed on in your family, you know how it feels). But God uses the weak to shame to the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). He used the small shepherd boy. And what amazed me is the 3 mighty men who risked their own lives to bring the water from the Bethlehem well back to David- which reveals a lot about how David influenced them on a heart level ( Putin surely didn’t have the same privilege) ,and David treasured and honored his men’s lives (1 Chronicles 11: 18-19). What an honorable character.
@PAM STAYER: just love your comment, so wise!
@DOROTHY: a senior lady in my community also fell on ice when filling up at the gas station, she bruised her face and needed extensive dental work. She also had to speak to the gas station’s insurance company and seeking witness. They might have footage from cameras but not sure if they would provide that to her. Praying for you! and please be safe ladies out there.
@ EILEEN DOWD: praying for appetite to eat and good sleep, God’s balm for your grief.
@ KIMBERLY Z: may your work hours be intact.
@ DANIELLE B: peaceful sleep for you, no more anxieties.
@ TINA : full healing and speedy recovery, grace smooth transition to work. Hugs <3
Be blessed dear sisters.
Tina I hope your first day back goes well! Prayers for all requests. May I remember each day to “look up to my Good Shepherd”, such a good reminder in the looking up, not head bowed, not eyes closed! Amen. I am using Biblegateway audio to follow along with the book and it makes such a difference. Thank you to all who suggested audio.
Yes such a good reminder to keep my eyes on Jesus! I gave birth to our third child 10 days ago, a little girl we named Vesper. All went well praise the lord! My husband went back to work today and I am now getting used to life at home with 3 kids under 5. This devotional was such a great reminder to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus when I am exhausted, feeling isolated, and/or losing patience while providing my older 2 with discipline or breaking up fights. Help me keep my eyes on you Jesus, give us mothers vision beyond our day to day frustrations, mundanity, or exhaustion. Teach us how to selflessly love these little ones and disciple them well!
Just prayed for you Tina!
Such a good reminder to look up. When I look all around me at circumstances I can get overwhelmed
In the study book under one of the extras titled “God’s People United”, She Reads Truth says that under the first three kings of Israel, Saul, David, and Solomon, they were united. It goes on to say, “God’s people were identified by two realities: covenant relationship with God and the proper worship that was an overflow of this relationship.” I sometimes wonder if I have both of those so that I can properly commune, worship and praise God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.
In today’s devotional, when Kayla wrote, “It’s comforting to remember that the best thing I can do as I clumsily follow Jesus is lift my head to Him, the true Good Shepherd, and continue to look to Him for everything I need.” I was shaking my head and fully agreeing with her. To know that ALL I HAVE TO DO IS LOOK TO HIM for ALL my needs is sooo comforting. But all the times I forget to do this are disheartening.
Sisters please pray for me, as so as I finish with this comment I will be heading to the office of my apartment complex to talk with them; Friday night when I arrived home from I slipped and fell on ice on the sidewalk in front of my building. Since then my back, neck and right hand have been hurting — I’m thankful I’m left-handed. I did let them know right away — the on-call person — but today I need to go and talk to the office staff.
Be blessed and turn ALL your needs over to the Lord sisters.
I am sorry I posted that twice but I actually had an emoji in there for you Eileen but it was erased both times. ❤️
Praying for you Tina ❤️.
Praying also for you Eileen.
I too know the loss and grief of my husband that leaves such a void.
Praying for you Eileen. May the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, cover you in the Fathers love.
Happy Monday everyone! May we keep our eyes lifted up today and through this week. Praying for all the needs listed here this morning. Have a blessed week. ❤️❤️
Yesterday at church, we went through David’s sin with Bathsheba. And today in reading this portion of scripture seeing “and David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.” (11:9).
David was great only because of the Lord. And his sin was scandalous and great—but his posture of repentance and his heart for the Lord is such an example to look to.
Praise the Lord he loves & uses imperfect & sinful people to do His will. Praise the Lord for his forgiveness. Praise the Lord that his character never changes no matter the ways we fail and stumble.
Amen. I lift my head to you God and surrendering my concerns for today.
Praying for you now, Eileen
Just listened to the podcast and shed so much light on my own question I posted earlier! God is good!!
For is under a lot of budget cuts and we are having a meeting to discuss things on Wednesday which I know will mean cutting hours. It is out of my control what happens and learning to trust that God has the right answer for me and my future here. Praying you all have a great week. @Tina hope you have a good day back at work!
Love this devotional today. The hospital I work
KATHY, I was reminded of the same verse!
Psalm 3:3 – “But You, O Lord, are a shield [a]for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”
TINA, sweet encourager, I join in prayer for you that you have not overdone it today and that God will bless you with renewing sleep tonight. Thankful that you are on the mend! Hugs and continued prayers!
It is such an encouragement to me today to imagine Jesus, my Good Shepherd, lifting my head and being instantly calmed. I’ll keep that with me today!
Eileen—praying for you today. Grief is so hard and never goes away, but does change shape. I am praying for you to be able to eat and just for you to feel the comfort and peace that Jesus offers. I am so sorry.
Tina—praying for you going back to work today! I hope it’s been a great day so far, and you’re taking it as slow as you need to.
I sometimes feel, actually I feel all the time. I fail at my relationship with Jesus. I pray often to be a good example at work. I feel I sometimes blow it! I wish I could just do better and then I read this. I like how Kayla ended our devotion for today. Clumsy is the perfect word. And knowing how David, a man after God’s own heart also failed, I, too, am going to allow my God, my Jesus to lift up my head to look to Him, And ask daily for his forgiveness and keep moving forward. I just wanna set a good example at work even when it gets hard.
I love the picture of our Good Shepherd lifting our heads to calm us! All we have to do is keep our our focus on Him!
This may sound silly but, I am thankful for David’s failures! Noted in scripture as “a man after God’s own heart”, he still succumbed to temptation. My failures are not an end to my journey with God. As I lift my head toward my Savior, I find forgiveness and unfailing love.❤️
Praying for restoration of health and wisdom for your path!
Once again, we are given a list of men. Instead of genealogies we have warriors.
God noted each man.
Their names are recorded in His Word.
They will one day receive their reward for the ministry they served.
What a lovely reminder that our names are listed in His Book of Life.
Prayers for you Tina. Rest when you need to dear sister.
Hugs to all. ❤️
I always have the radio on while I read SRT first thing in the morning when I get up. In the morning the station plays sermons (messages, teachings for today’s terms!), and Greg Laurie’s message today was on David being chosen from the sons of Jesse. It was so perfect to hear a little more detail about that as I read Chronicles. (If you want to listen you can go to Harvest.com and select “today on the radio.”) David might have seemed “less than” “and the least of those” in the eyes of his father and those around him, But God- David was to be the chosen one to be king! Who would have thought?
Are we the one that seems the odd choice for God to use, and make something great come from our lives? Were we the one that got skipped over and ignored when we were younger? Does that stigma stay with us as we try to serve or step up to the plate? We must keep our eyes on Him,through all the ups and downs, the seasons of our lives. Trust and obey, no matter if it is not the cool way of the world today. I lift my eyes up to the hills, that’s where my help comes from, even if I have shifting sand under my feet and feel unsure.
God help us to keep our focus on you. You are writing our story, step by step, and we do not know where it is going or how it will end. But we do know that with you, our future is secure. And that is all we need to remember as we stand firm on your solid rock! Be with each of us this week as we juggle and struggle, and try to rest in you. You will make paths straight…in Jesus’ name, oh heavenly Father, amen.
Good morning ladies! I too loved learning that the shepherd will turn the sheepshead towards him to calm them. Such an intimate sweet gesture so reminds me of our Jesus. Ladies, could you pray for me today that I would have an appetite to eat? I know it sounds silly but I’m going through (still) deep from my sweet husband’s death and although it’s been a few years I still have deep sorrow. Thank you so much.
Lifting my head to you, Lord❤️ And asking that you strengthen and bless Tina.
Wonderful reminder of Jesus being our good shepherd. May I look in his eyes today and simply trust and obey. He loves us all so much!! Praying for you Tina as you have returned to work today. Praying for the week ahead to keep my eyes on our Savior Jesus and trusting in Him and knowing He’s working in all our situations that seem difficult. May all we do glorify Him!
My prayer as I was taking care of my son Tanner, was always, “keep my eyes up dear Lord”. I needed to look up to have the strength to go through this walk. I’m so thankful that we have a God that recognizes are needs. That He walked me through that terribly hard journey. I pray to recognize God’s voice in everything. To follow His lead. To never stray.
TINA – Prayers dear sweet sister in Christ.
I’m listening to an audio while reading along and still find it hard to understand all the killing approved by God. I know He knows the beginning from the end and I need to trust His word, but just makes me squeamish. What I DO love, is that Jesus is my shepherd and will never lead me astray.
Praying for you, Tina. Your day is probably half over by now, so praying it went well as you ease back into your work routine. ❤️
@Tina, lifting you up in prayer. Heavenly Father, bring strength and healing to our sister, Tina. Restore her health. Bless her as she goes back to work today and help her to slow down as needed. Bless her hands as they minister to others and bless her words as she goes about her work.
It’s such a sweet reminder – that just like David, even if we don’t do everything perfectly in our life, God sees and honors our heart’s faithfulness and that is what equips us to live out God’s will.
@Tina – praying God’s wisdom and strength for you today as you go back to work – and that He will equip you to take it slow.
Blessings to my dear sisters on this new Monday!
David led his people with such integrity. His character in these chapters is to be admired. How he pours out the water his men risked their lives to get him. “Would I do the same?” I wonder to myself.
I know the Lord is displaying the integrity of character to show me what He desires. A heart that is faithful, humble, and understanding. There is much to “live up to” – but I pray God can lead me and shape me to be of more integrity and humility.
I thought of the same psalm TINA!
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?”
Psalm 121:1 ESV
Praying for you & all gathered here
In the lists of David’s warriors, we can see how Gid used David to draw men from all over Israel and even Gentiles. God’s favor on David was a catalyst for unity, even among enemies.
TINA – praying the Lord will strengthen you for the day and give you the wisdom to know your limitations.
What a beautiful reminder to turn my head to God, especially after a sleepless night fraught with anxieties of not being able to sleep. Lord May I always turn my head towards you in need and in joy!
Quoting The Bible Recap regarding today’s scripture: David’s victories and flaws point us to an eternal God who is working all things together according to his will, which is also for our joy.
2 Samuel 5: David’s greatness does not begin and end with David. God is the source, supply, and goal.
Just prayed for you, Tina. And for all of us that we will lift our heads to the Lord for peace and comfort as we go through out our day. ❤️
Lord that I turn my eyes towards You and only Youn always. In Jesus name, Amrn
I loved learning that the shepherd will turn the sheep’s head towards him to calm them. What a powerful reminder this morning to keep my eyes focused on Jesus. May I keep my eyes on you today and everyday, Lord. ♥️
Praying for you Tina! ❤️
I loved learning that the shepherd will lift the sheep’s head to look at him to calm them. What a powerful reminder this morning to lift my eyes to Jesus. May I keep my eyes focused on You today, and everyday Lord. ♥️
May we keep our eyes on our shepherd Jesus, and like David, use the skills we been blessed with to honor and serve Him.
LYNNE FROM AL – so good to see you this morning. Continuing to pray for Jack and for you, dear sister. ❤️
TINA – praying for you as you go back to work, getting back in the groove. And praying with you for continued healing, for strength and wisdom, that you hit the ground walking rather than running :) ❤️
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“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalms 3:3.
Praying for you, Tina. May God give you strength and wisdom. Be blessed today, sisters.
God has chosen Jesus to be King and Shepherd over us…to reign over us but also to care for us. May God help us to listen to, love, trust and obey our King and Shepherd Jesus.
Praying for you sweet Tina! May you be strengthened and encouraged (as you always encourage us)!
Jesus, our good shepherd (from John 10):
‘The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.”’
‘“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’
‘“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.‘
Tina, sending prayers to our Father for you. May He continue to heal you and give you strength and wisdom for your day and rest tonight.
Love and blessings to all you dear ladies
Praying, Tina! May God give you the wisdom and strength you need. May He bless, help, and protect you and all of the ladies today. Amen
Praying for you Tina! ❤️
This my favourite psalm (121) came to mind as u read the devotional..
I look to the mountains; where will my help come from?
My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let you fall; your protector is always awake.
The protector of Israel never dozes or sleeps.
The Lord will guard you; he is by your side to protect you.
The sun will not hurt you during the day, nor the moon during the night. The Lord will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe.
He will protect you as you come and go now and forever.
BUT GOD.
I need thee, oh I need thee, Lord God, every hour I need thee, bless me now my saviour, I come to thee.. as the hymn says and I pray today, Lord God, I lift my eyes to the hills.. I need thee..
AMEN.
Happy Monday sisters as always totally wrapped in love and covered in prayer..❤
Might I solicited prayer, today is my first day back to work since January, due to ill health.. not 100%, but need to get back to it, so please should you have a moment could you lift me up for strength and wisdom to go slow and not go in gung-ho.. I know there will be much to do..thank you❤