1 Samuel 17:27-31
Verse 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.
David finally finds his brothers but they are anything but happy to see him. In fact when Eliab, the oldest brother, heard David asking questions it says he burned with anger. This wasn’t just brotherly irritation, Eliab was furious with his kid brother. It sounds like there was some anger in his heart already against his baby brother and this was the final straw.
Eliab may have despised the fact that the prophet had anointed the kid as king. He could have been asking himself what the kid had that he lacked or maybe felt that Jesse had started favoring the youngest brother following Samuel’s visit. Whatever the reason, the tension displayed by the seemingly random accusations show that it was likely not based totally on David’s questions to the soldiers. The jab about the sheep shows that this older brother thinks the boy belongs back in the pasture and his mention about wickedness in David’s heart shows that he didn’t see David the way God did.
These questions that David is asking are not just wanting to know why the men are afraid of Goliath, David is getting a firsthand look at the state of the human heart amongst his fellow countrymen. No matter who David asked about the circumstances of a champion of Israel they always talked about the king giving rewards showing that they awaited a human savior from their tormentor, but David and Goliath understood that it was highly unlikely for a human to win against him.
Because of all his questions word got back to Saul that there was a young man asking questions. Saul was intrigued that a young boy would be so interested in what the giant was saying and so decides he needs to talk to him and see why he is asking all these questions. The king is also misunderstanding the basis of David’s questioning. He needs someone who is willing to go up against the giant and no one else seem to be showing interest.
While no one seemed to understand what David was asking, God knew and God was pleased. He knew that David was showing his love of the Father and God would use that love to do great things through David to make Himself known, both to His enemies and His chosen people.
Making It Personal
Are you willing to keep asking important questions even when others don’t feel comfortable with them? Do you have people that snap at you because of your relationship with God? Does that cause you to question the depth of your relationship with God?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you ask questions even if people don’t like it? Why do you ask questions? What questions can you ask to get to know Jesus better?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for not getting annoyed by our questions. Help us ask the right questions so that we can come to know You more and more. In Jesus’ name, amen.