Shepherd of the Hills

By Dr. Stanford E. Murrell

One of the greatest narratives of the Bible is the story of David. In Shepherd of the Hills the author follows the rise of young David to fame. There are triumphs and tragedies associated in the life of David. Here is a work that will inspire and encourage every Christian in their own struggles in life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781304784339

Book preview

Shepherd of the Hills

SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS

Chapter 1 The Shepherd of the Hills

1 Samuel 16:1-13

A major newspaper in America carried this editorial. It is a first in the history of our country. Never in the lifetime of most men has there been such great and deep apprehension. Never has the future seemed so incalculable as at this time. The domestic economic situation is in chaos. Our dollar is weak throughout the world, and prices are so high as to be utterly impossible. The political caldron seethes and bubbles with uncertainty. It is a solemn moment. Of our troubles no man can see the end.

It could be persuasively argued that deep apprehension grips many lives in our nation. The domestic economic situation faces great challenges because of hostilities in the Middle East. The political caldron seethes and bubbles with uncertainty. In many local assemblies spiritual bankruptcy prevails as people enjoy a form of godliness but have no power to change personally or change society. While this editorial could have been placed in yesterday's newspapers it first appeared in Harper's Weekly in the year 1857. Tragically such times have always plagued human history.

A thousand years before Christ was born the land of Palestine was undergoing an economic, moral, and spiritual crisis. To make matters worse the king was in an emotional revolt of the soul against the Lord. Personally selected by God, Saul had dared to disobey the Divine will. For his act of disobedience the prophet Samuel had rebuked the king. In dealing with the king's sin Samuel did not spare words but reminded the ruler rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). Because Saul had rejected the will of the Lord, the Lord had rejected Saul from being king.

Hearing that he was under the heavy hand of divine discipline Saul tried to keep his kingdom. He pleaded with Samuel to offer a prayer of intercession on his behalf but Samuel refused. Saul's sin was too great and his repentance was non-existence. Samuel plainly told Saul, I will not return with thee for thou hast rejected the Word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

As Samuel turned to walk away Saul grabbed at his clothing so tightly the garments of Samuel ripped. And Samuel said unto him [Saul]. The Lord hath rent [torn] the kingdom of Israel from thee this day and hath given it to a neighbor of thine that is better than thou (1 Samuel 15:28).

Saul paid a terrible price in time and in eternity for his rebellion against the Lord. His life serves as a lesson for Christians. The judgment that fell upon Saul need not be repeated provided God grants grace to repent of sin, wisdom to know His will, and the power of the Holy Spirit to restrain the heart and cause it to act in a positive manner in the hour of temptation. While Saul contemplated in terror the words of the prophet Samuel another scene was taking place in the hills of Palestine.

Far removed from the intrigues of the court palace, far away from the military and political drama in Jerusalem was a shepherd boy. He was the youngest of eight sons of a rich landowner named Jesse. Little did the young shepherd boy know that the God of all glory had looked down on him with favor. The Lord of the universe had looked deeply into the heart of the young shepherd and saw a heart of righteousness. God listened as the young shepherd made up songs to sing to the sheep to calm them in the middle of the night. With the twinkling stars above, the young boy began to quietly sing on one occasion and said,

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23).

This song, which was sung by the Shepherd of the Hills of Judea, reflected his absolute faith in the God of his forefathers who included Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Lord was pleased with the Sweet Singer of Israel. It would not be long before the land of Palestine was familiar with the name of the Shepherd of the Hills. His father called him David (lit. beloved).

Returning to the narrative in 1 Samuel there are several observations to be made beginning with the absolute sovereignty of God in the affairs of this world (1 Samuel 16:1-2). It is the Lord who declared His rejection of Saul as king. It is the Lord who became determined to establish a new king of His own choosing. It is the Lord who controls all of our activities in a sovereign manner according to His own counsel and purposes. When Reginald Heber realized this simple truth he wrote,

"Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise Thy name

In Earth, and sky, and sea."

Apart from the sovereignty of God a second observation notices there is a harsh side in the dynamics of spirituality. In the opening verse Samuel is found grieving for Saul despite the fact he had to issue strong words of judgment against the king. Breaking in upon the weeping prophet the Lord said to Samuel, How long will thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Samuel, how long will you cry?

These words seem almost cruel in their content but a spiritual truth is manifested which is this: the God of love is the God of justice. If individuals do not respond to the grace and mercy of God then He shall visit them with justice. There is a harsh side of God revealed in biblical theology. Death, the penalty for sin, is harsh. It is just but it is harsh. Hell, the place of eternal torment is harsh. It is just but it is harsh. The plagues of God upon Egypt were justified but they were harsh. The sudden destruction of Ananias and Sapphira was just and it was harsh. The apostle Paul said he had delivered a man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. Jesus told some Pharisees who had blasphemed the Holy Spirit they would never be saved.

In the Old Testament and in the New Testament there is a harsh side to biblical religion. Was it wrong for Samuel to weep for Saul? On one level the answer has to be, No, it was not wrong for the prophet of God to be distressed. It is always good to have a tender heart. Several years ago Ian H. Murray published a biography about the great English preacher C. H. Surgeon. Today the writings of Mr. Spurgeon are well respected by many denominational structures but in his day Mr. Spurgeon was at the center of three major controversies.

First, Mr. Spurgeon was an early witness against diluted evangelicalism or easy believism.

Second, Mr. Spurgeon opposed infant baptism. On June 5, 1864 he preached a sermon in which he invited parents to bring their children to Christ and not to the baptismal font as infants.

The last great controversy Mr. Spurgeon was engaged in was prolonged. It lasted from 1887 until his death five years later at the age of 57. Mr. Spurgeon protested the Downgrade Movement or the attempt to downgrade the importance of Scripture through novel methods of biblical criticism.

Mr. Spurgeon engaged in these important controversies because of his deep conviction they were important. He loved the Church and the truth too much to remain silent. Mr. Spurgeon had a tender pastoral concern that God's people be protected from doctrinal error and so he wept and then worked against the corruption of the Church. In this Mr. Spurgeon was like Christ who wept over the city of Jerusalem though the Lord knew its certain destruction. It is important to have a tender heart like Christ, like Mr. Spurgeon, like the prophet Samuel. But there is a time when the teardrops must stop falling, the judgment of God must be recognized, and new spiritual work must begin. The Lord Himself shall indicate when it is time to mourn and when it is time to move on in life. For Samuel it was God's time for him to stop weeping and move on to the next divinely appointed mission. Samuel was to anoint a new king over Israel.

Having discerned the will of the Lord Samuel became very reluctant to comply and so he began to resist. In his mind there was a valid reason why he should not obey God. Saul will hear of it, Lord, Samuel said, and he will kill me. Suddenly Samuel was faced with a temptation of his own to sin. Samuel was tempted to put his own selfish interests first. He was tempted to sin in principle the same way Saul had, though not in the same manner. Samuel was tempted to rebel against God. A word of warning goes forth. Be careful. What grieves us about others, what is condemned in others may be found in ourselves.

Unlike Saul, Samuel would obey the will of the Lord. What God commanded would be performed. And so it was that Samuel was instructed to take a heifer, go to Bethlehem and let it be known he was there to offer a sacrifice. In Bethlehem Samuel would worship the Lord and he would seek out the next king of Israel.

Hearing that the prophet of God was coming to Bethlehem the people of the town became somewhat agitated as 1 Samuel 16:4 notes. And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? The people of Bethlehem had a reason to be concerned. Usually when Samuel came unexpectedly to a place it was for the purpose of rebuke with instruction in righteousness. Therefore the elders of Bethlehem asked Samuel very pointedly, Comest thou peaceably? And Samuel was able to answer, Peaceably I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord.

Not only would the prophet worship but he would invite others to worship as well. However, in order for that to happen properly the heart and life must be prepared. To that end Samuel instructed the people, Sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifices. Of particular concern was that the family of Jessie prepare to receive a blessing of the Lord.

In the house of Jesse Samuel would stay for it was there he was to seek the successor of Saul. The appointed hour came to recognize the next king of Israel. But who would be the king? Samuel did not know but as he gazed upon the sons of Jesse he took hope. Here were a number of good-looking young men capable of leadership.

Beginning with the eldest son Eliab, the sons of Jesse were made to pass before Samuel. With each young man Samuel was impressed. When Eliab (lit. God is Father) stood before the prophet Samuel thought to himself, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. But it was not Eliab that God had chosen. The Lord was not looking for another man of physical prowess. Saul was head and shoulders above other men physically but in his soul he was a spiritual pygmy.

Abinadab (lit. Father of liberality) came and stood before Samuel. Nearby sat Jesse with growing anxiety. He was not pleased that Eliab had been passed over and now Abinadab was going to be set aside. And Shammah (lit. fame) as well. Seven sons soon filled the room. Seven times Samuel shook his head and said, No, the Lord hath not chosen this one.

For a moment there was silence. The tension grew. What had begun as a happy event with high expectations was turning into a living nightmare. Suddenly, illuminated by the Holy Spirit Samuel asked Jesse, Are here all thy children? Jesse replied, There remaineth the youngest and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. Oh Jesse, how could you do what you are doing? How can you keep back from the prophet a child?

It may be that Jesse was guilty of playing favorites. Perhaps he had lavished all of his energy and attention upon the older children so that now the son of his old age was being neglected. It may be that Jesse was guilty of presumptuous sin in believing he knew the mind of God. Surely my last son could not be chosen by God to be king, thought Jesse and so the young Shepherd of the Hills was neglected. But God had chosen the youngest son. It seems the Lord is always surprising people with His selections. Word was sent to call for the Shepherd of the Hills. When called, he came. The godly prophet discerned immediately the young man before him, called David, was the chosen one. Concerning David, Samuel noticed several features.

First, David was very handsome. There was a reddish color to his hair, which was regarded as a mark of great beauty in the southern lands where hair was generally black.

Second, David was physically strong. The life of a shepherd demanded a strong body to move the flock from place to place and protect the sheep from wild animals.

Third, David's face held no deceit. There were no sullen or hard expressions on his face. The relaxed, polite, sensitive features on the face of David radiated openness and friendship. And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Samuel obeyed. With his brothers looking on the last became first. The prophet Samuel anointed David king of Israel as the Holy Spirit came upon him. After the deed was done Samuel went back to Ramah. And David, for the moment, he went back to being the Shepherd of the Hills.

Doctrine of Self-Sanctification

1.The practice of some form of self-sanctification is an established principle in the Word of God. In the Old Testament the people of God were reminded often to set themselves apart in a special way for service and sacrifice and worship.

2.The priests of God were to sanctify themselves before entering into His presence.

Exodus 19:22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

3.The people of God were to sanctify themselves and be a holy people.

Leviticus 11:44 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

4.When a new home was established it could be sanctified unto the Lord.

Leviticus 27:14 And when a man shall sanctify his house to be holy unto the LORD, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.

5.The Lord was pleased when man sanctified a portion of his possession.

Leviticus 27:16 And if a man shall sanctify unto the LORD some part of a field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver.

6. Prior to receiving a blessing of God the children of Israel sanctified themselves.

Numbers 11:18 And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

7.When God's people sanctify themselves divine wonders can be performed.

Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

8.Practical godliness involves self-sanctification and thus a measure of personal responsibility to root out inward corruption.

Joshua 7:13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.

9.The prophet Samuel called upon the family of Jesse to sanctify themselves even though they did not know they would receive a great blessing from the Lord. Personal holiness is its own virtue.

1 Samuel 16:5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

10.No matter how menial the task for the Lord, divine service requires a sanctified people.

1 Chronicles 15:12 And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.

11.Ministers of the gospel must lead the people of God in the matter of self-sanctification.

2 Chronicles 29:5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

2 Chronicles 35:6 So kill the Passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

12. God's people should exhort each other to holiness.

Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

13.There are degrees of self-sanctification. Some individuals are more conscientious than others.

2 Chronicles 29:34 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

14.The mercies of God are designed to lead the people of God to self-sanctification.

Isaiah 29:23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.

15.A feigned holiness will be judged.

Isaiah 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

16.Ultimately God is the one who must save and sanctify His people. Nevertheless, the Lord uses means and gives grace so that a measure of self-sanctification can take place. There is human responsibility in the matter of holiness.

Joel 1:14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,

Joel 2:15 Blow the