IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, words will only mean something, when promises are kept.
We make promises to build trust, and trust transcends all aspects of life.
The cashier in a store trusts your bank to honour the payment when you swipe your credit card.
On the road, you trust that everyone will obey the traffic rules.
In your relationships, you trust your family to support you in difficult times. And you trust your spouse to be faithful.
Your friends to have your best interest at heart. You believe your spouse will have your back even when you're not there.
And when you take trust out of any relationship, people become total strangers. In some cases, they become enemies.
Trust makes a society function, and it's established through promises kept.
A Greater Purpose
AFTER SAUL sinned, God did not trust him anymore. He told Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go to the house of Jesse.
God had provided himself with a king there. To avoid suspicions, God told him to take a heifer as if he was going to sacrifice to the Lord.
Jesse was concerned when he saw Samuel, but he told him that he came in peace. He consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
The seven sons passed before him, and the Lord rejected them. But there was one in the field. Samuel told Jesse that he should quickly get him.
When they brought David to him, God told Samuel to arise and anoint him. (1 Samuel 16:1-6)
He poured the oil on him, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. David knew that he would be the next king.
The Narrative
FOR FORTY DAYS, the champion of the Philistines, Goliath stood before the armies of Israel insulting them. (1 Samuel 17:1-17)
They were terrified, and no one could fight him. But when David appeared on the scene, he chose to do something.
He trusted that the Lord who delivered him from the mouth of the lion and the bear will give him victory. He went against Goliath and prevailed.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
David became the man of the hour. And King Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" (1 Samuel 17:58)
From that point, he was bound in friendship with the king's son—Jonathan, and the king did not allow him to go home. The prince gave him his robe and armour.
He also cut a covenant with David. And wherever he went, he succeeded. (1 Samuel 18:1-5)
Soon the women began to sing his praise, "Saul has struck down his thousand, and David his ten thousand." (1 Samuel 18:7)
This song angered Saul, he hated David.
His jealousy eroded his trust for him. He threw his spear at him twice, but David dodged.
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? (Proverbs 27:4)
The king became afraid of David because God was with him, and he removed David from his sight.
Saul gave Michal his oldest daughter to David as a wife, hoping that he will be killed, but David prevailed.
Foxhole Promise
AS DAVID RAN FROM CAVE TO CAVE, he needed assurances that he would be safe.
He said to Jonathan, "What is my sin before your father that he seeks my life?" (1 Samuel 20:1)
And Jonathan promised to do everything to keep him safe. Jonathan's words were filled with commitment.
He understood that a promise is an action with moral implications—a promise made, a promise kept.
He knew David would be king one day.
Jonathan said, "If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." (1 Samuel 20:14-15)
He had made a promise to David, now he wanted David to promise him.
Shadow to Light
HOW DID DAVID feel when Samuel passed? Who will he run to when things don't make sense?
Samuel, the prophet anointed David, and the word hadn't come to pass. Now that he's gone, what will happen?
But the word of God never returns void without accomplishing the reason for which it was sent. (Isaiah 55:11)
Saul went to war with the Philistines and died with his three sons at Mount Gilboa. (1 Samuel 31:8)
David lamented the death of Saul and Jonathan. He became king at Hebron. (2 Samuel 5)
David became the shepherd of Israel and a light to his people.
"God does not just predict what will happen, he makes promises, and fulfil all his promises" – Piper.
Bringing It Together
SAUL BECAME A STRANGER to God when he broke his promise. But David became the friend of God as he trusted Him.
Has God said anything to you? He will surely bring it to pass. God is not a man that he should lie. Trust Him!