The Forgotten Child

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 1 Samuel 16:11 KJV

I feel a sense of disappointment that Jesse was asked to bring all his children, and he left out one. It took a reminding from the Prophet for him to acknowledge the last one. There’s an unwritten back story to the incident if you are familiar with the Jewish culture. Part of the back story is told in the Midrash. The short version is that David is believed to be a child out of wedlock. The Shelter House Diary reports that, ” For this reason David grew up despised by his family (Psalms 69:8). He was rejected and sent off to look after sheep in the hopes of getting killed by beasts”. Isn’t it surprising that despite this, the lesson today said no one was going to sit down, until he arrives for selection. They will wait for you. You won’t be cheated out again for what you didn’t cause. Who sends the last born in a family to take care of animals? That was the work for slaves. You might have been put aside, it does not stop divine selection. I’m talking to someone. The played politics with your position, but God has your back. They won’t sit down….until you do. I feel good, wonderful good! Do you know that song? Its your season. The cheat is over. Imagine walking in from the field where they hurriedly had to look for you. Everyone is standing, wondering: Is this the one? May whatever brought you shame, bring you glory in the end. I feel like preaching. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow with a testimony.