1 Samuel 17:28a When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked….
David was not thought of very highly in his family. In chapter 16, the only reason his father mentioned his existence is because Samuel asked if there were any more sons when God rejected all the sons present. Even then, Jesse didn’t call him by name. And the fact that he was tending the sheep, a servant’s job in most families of the time, is quite telling about where David stood in his family.
1 Samuel 17:28b … “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness?…”
Even after Samuel anointed him, even after Saul chose him to play the lyre to soothe Saul when the evil spirit tormented him, he returned to the fields when he wasn’t needed. And here he is, running an errand for his dad, asking questions about the battle, and his brother is tearing him down. Again. This could have been a turning point. David could have lit into Eliab, unleashing years of anger at the way he was treated, but he was a man after God’s own heart, which means he put aside his personal anger and focused on God’s will.
1 Samuel 17:28c “…I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came only to watch the battle.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. It is so easy for me to get caught up in my own emotions—anger, bitterness, fear, jealousy. But when I do, I make life about me. I want to be a woman after Your own heart, Lord. Help me to stay focused on You—Your will, Your way, Your love. Help me to put You first, always. Amen.
1 Samuel 17:29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.