Whose Son Is This?

As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “I really don’t know,” Abner declared. “Well, find out who he is!” the king told him. As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said. And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.” [1 Samuel 17.55-58]

Have you ever known someone without really knowing who they were? Such is the case with Saul and David.

Before this famous encounter with Goliath, David played the harp for Saul. Saul knew David.

But suddenly, when David stepped out in this remarkable military feat, it became evident to Saul that he did not in fact really know David!

The sad truth is played out however that Saul's inquiry into David's origin here was probably the very beginning of his jealousy of David. Before this time, David merely served in Saul's court as a harpist! But here now, this handsome young man turns out to me a fearless man of war - with the demeanor of a king!

The harpist David was of no consequence to Saul except that his music calmed Saul. The warrior David contrasted everything Saul's torment was about - that he was no longer fit to be king.

As I write this, there is something inside me that says there is much more to this story than meets the casual eye. I think of Jesus...

Far too many of us today see Jesus only as Saul saw David - merely a comforting convenience to our lives - a sad existence indeed. He is all around us even in our dwelling, but we don't really know Who He Is!

The New Testament accounts of Jesus' life, teaching and works reveal to us His overwhelming dominion over every circumstance He encountered - just like David fearlessly overcoming Goliath. 

From what the New Testament tells us, we should inquire further into this "Jesus!"

When we exalt Jesus for Who He Is - when we "lift Him up" - all men will be drawn unto Him!

Look at this:

Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike. [1 Samuel 18.5]

People were naturally drawn unto David. They were not just drawn to love him, but to serve him! He came as a mild harpist prophesying Jesus coming as a Lamb. Then, he revealed himself as a warrior leading warriors just as Jesus would fearlessly triumph over every circumstance - becoming the "firstborn of many brethren" in the family of God!

It is time the Church sees Jesus in His King of  Kings and Lord of Lords role! And furthermore, it is time the Church follow Him in His pursuits!

Father, thank You for revealing Jesus through the life of David. May we look upon His victorious life and inquire, "Whose Son is this?"