Proper Priority: 1 Samuel 17:12-22
The prudent person does the expectation first, freeing them for a guilt-free pursuit of desire. Almost every day I have a list in my mind of the tasks that need to be accomplished and the tasks that I look forward to doing. I want to jump in and do what my heart desires, but that doesn’t typically make the most sense. Starting with my heart implies always watching the clock and knowing the chores linger just out of site waiting to steal my joy.
David split his time between being the court musician and being a shepherd for his father. Saul was not continuously tormented by the spirit. Saul had days where he was out with his soldiers or performing other tasks keeping him from holding court. David would have had ample time to be in Saul’s court for several days and then return home to make sure his aging father’s herds were well cared for.
Thus, it makes sense for David to be at home as the Philistines gather for battle. What would Saul need with a court musician on the battlefield when he had soldiers to inspire, strategies to contrive, and Philistine threats to refute? David was too young to genuinely fight; only his three eldest brothers went off to war. Instead of being with Saul, David honors his father at home.
Jesse is a smart father. He knows the rations for the soldiers can only go so far. With thousands of men needing to be fed, food is likely to be plain, perhaps in short supply, and probably contested. You can’t get young men prepping for an athletic contest who don’t get competitive about their energy supplies. Thus, Jesse sends food with David for his sons. Since the food is coming through David, David’s brothers don’t need to compete for the resources.
Jesse also sends some cheese for his son’s commanders. This is a tactical maneuver. Leaders enjoy being remembered. When it comes time for duty assignments, the favorites of the leaders seldom get placed into the places where soldiers are likely to die. If someone is a source of uncontested food, the leader is likely to want to protect that source. Jesse engages in a you-scratch-my-back I’ll-scratch-your-back gesture.
When David gets to the battlefield, he displays the same great prioritization that allowed him to be successful at splitting his time between being a musician and a shepherd. David gives the supplies to the commanders first. He wants to go see his brothers, but he settles his obligations first. This way, when he greets his brothers, he has no lingering obligations to take him away from where he wants to be.
So often we prioritize desire over obligation. Ultimately, this forces obligation to get in the way of desire. Obligation becomes the killjoy. David sets a phenomenal example. The prudent person does the expectation first, freeing them for a guilt-free pursuit of desire.
