If you have ever forgotten to do something you said you would, you can appreciate how difficult it would be to remember a promise for more than 400 years and then fulfill it exactly as you said you would. Imagine if it were not just one promise, but a dozen promises or even a hundred promises, now extend that over not just hundreds of years, but thousands and you can see why God is so awesome and the work he does in our lives so amazing.

David became king of Israel approximately 400 years after they entered the Promised Land. The initial conquests and occupation of the land laid the foundation for what David did 400 years later. It is not only amazing that the Israelites were able to uproot the Canaanites and Philistines, but miraculous that the twelve tribes of Israel became a united kingdom under David’s rule.

Regarding his selection as king, it says in Psalm 78, “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfold” (Psalm 78:70). God is able to do anything, therefore, his choices are unlimited. When he chooses to do something it is because the thing he chooses to do is the best option for what he wants to accomplish. David is referred to as God’s servant. A servant is someone that is subject to the will and command of his master (5650). God chose David because he knew he would serve him willingly and love him with his whole heart.

The work that God did through David began when Jacob wrestled with God and demanded his blessing. In Psalm 78, it says of God, “For he established a testimony in Jacob…That they might set their hope in God” (Psalm 78:5, 7). The word translated hope, kecel (keh – sel´) means stupidity (3689). Sometimes it might seem like stupidity to put your confidence in God. What God does in an individual life often times does not make sense.

The reason why a lot of what God does seems stupid to us is because God does the impossible. If we could do it ourselves, we wouldn’t need God. If it made sense, then everyone would  be doing it. David wasn’t concerned about doing stupid stuff. He fought Goliath with a slingshot and a few stones. He became Saul’s son-in-law even though he was a peasant. David pretended to be crazy when he was confronted by Achish the king of Gath. Some people may have thought David was a fool…until he became king of Israel.