David and duty

So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle. For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. – I Samuel 17v20-22

There is a lot to admire about David, even with his flaws. He was after all a man after God’s heart. I don’t think we can err by examining the kind of person he was. We start seeing some of this while he is still and young man. David stayed at home to tend the sheep while three of his older brothers are off to war. He was probably not much more than a boy. If he was typical of a young guy he probably was jealous of the brothers who were able to go off to war with all of what he perceived as its glamour and excitement.

Finally he had his chance. His dad sent him off to the battle front with food for his brothers, provisions for the army, and instructions to see how the boys were. I suspect that mist young men would just have grabbed the wagon and headed off. We see however that there was more to David than that. First he made sure that the sheep were tended. Then, when he arrived he made sure that the provisions were cared for. Then, and only then, did he head off to where the excitement was.

I like this. I like the fact that he had enough character to carry out his responsibilities. I think here we see a picture of who David really was much better than in some of the decisions he make later. David was dedicated to his duty. May we strive for that kind of dedication.