Based on 1 Samuel 16:12–58

Jesse first had seven sons – a perfect number,
Then was born a little later one more member
To his family, David was his name,
Who would bring to Israel great fame.

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Since David was the youngest,
He wasn’t much regarded by the oldest,
For the oldest sons were soldiers in the army of King Saul,
Were men of war, they had no interest in David’s keeping sheep at all.

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One day all sons had been at home,
Jesse was told that Samuel would come
To call him and all sons to sacrifice unto the LORD,
For Samuel was on a special errand according to God’s word,
To anoint one son, to become the King of Israel.
For God had rejected the rebellious, disobedient King Saul.
And as the oldest son of Jesse, Eliab was passing before Samuel,
He thought because of his great looks and stature
This for sure is he!
But God refused him – saying,
Men judges only by the looks outward,
But the LORD does look upon the heart.
Then Jesse called Abinadab and Shammah, his next sons,
But Samuel said, these are not the chosen ones.
And so all seven passed before the Prophet’s face,
He was stunned, none of them God had elected for His cause.
Then Samuel asked Jesse: “Are these all your children here?”
And Jesse said: “Yea, there is one more, the youngest,
He is keeping our sheep.” “Go and fetch him!
We will not sit down till I see him.”
After some time of waiting, David, ruddy-faced from running,
Beautiful and goodly looking,
Samuel heard God saying: “Arise, anoint him, for this is he!”
Then amidst Jesse and the sons Samuel took the horn of oil,
Anointed David, the astounded young shepherd – before them all.
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from this day forward.

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Young David the Sheep-Keeper

As soon as he was old enough to keep his father’s sheep,
David was happy and content out there in nature,
The beauty of the sky, the hills, the bubbling sound of brooks
gave him thrills, he had a curious, investigating mind,
Explored the fields, the trees, shrubs and bushes of all kind.
Was eager learning from all he saw, nature’s wonders kept him in constant awe.
The sheep, he knew them all by name, they all were different,
Though looking all the same.
On the way home some little, weakly lambs he carried in his arms.
He had compassion on these humble creatures, he never shouted,
Nor drove them hard, he had none of such features in his heart,
He was gently leading, calling, guiding them from place to place
To new feeding grounds, as he made them wander through the year around.
In warm summer nights David stayed in further regions,
There he and the sheep under the starry sky did sleep,
There in wonder on the grass he laid,
Looking up in never-ending awe, what God did create
The myriads of sparkling stars and worlds He made.
His mind and thoughts were drawn upward to celestial realms,
With heart and soul he dreams,
To have communion with the living God,
To be with Him and all His host.
In such nights inspiration made him write, composing psalms and songs of praise,
to the Creator God, the Majesty of Heaven,
To Whom holy worship, honour, adoration to be given.

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But keeping sheep to David was not without danger,
For he had encounter even with a lion and a bear.
Even though as young he was, David was courageous,
Let not one lamb or sheep robbed or take them from his keep,
Love for these creatures gave him boldness to defend,
Snatch the prey out of the mouths,
Attacked the beasts with his own hands.
Skillful with the sling and stone, he hit the lion thus to wound and hurt,
Then took him by the beard, and slew the lion,
Even once a bear with his own sword.

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Out in nature David also played the harp,
Making melody to God of praise deep from his heart.
Sometimes a distance from his home
David then was all alone there with his sheep,
Exposed to Summer’s heat,
And Winter’s cold, sudden downpours, biting winds enfold,
Shelter nowhere be around, he ran for cover to the rocks,
Wet and cold he looked for cracks,
To rest and hide his little life in God’s protecting hands confides.
Ear-splitting thunder, frightful lightning,
Made David see his helplessness against the elements,
See his littleness – all this and all the nature’s greatness.
The care and duty for his flock, made David humble, patient;
Always depended on God’s mercy, making Him his Rock. –

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Then one day, he was called home to see his father,
To send him for an errand, then in an instant,
his days of shepherding were over.

–To be continued

Edda Tedford, Canada