The young lad played his harp solemnly as he composed songs spontaneously. He gazed at the twinkling stars far above in the sky. They were always a pleasant sight. This was where he found peace. It made him forget the bullying of his elder brothers and the rejection he received in his own home.
He was treated as an outcast.
A child that was not needed.
He was not athletic like his brothers but he was strong. What he lacked in physique, he made up for with his handsomeness. But his father was not impressed. Never impressed. Eliab was the apple of his father’s eye.
Why not? He had a beautiful body; tall, muscular and powerfully built. Heads turned when he strolled into town and he took pride in it.
‘The battle was fierce Father…’
His husky voice would suddenly rise at supper to gain everyone’s attention.
‘…but I stood and launched like a tiger towards them!’ Everyone would then burst into raucous laughter as they encouraged him to gulp more wine. David knew Eliab’s stories were often exaggerated but he would keep mute. Eliab would tell tales of battles with the Amalekites, Ammonites and Philistines. Father would listen with rapt attention and shower praises on him when he flaunted his battle scars.
Once, David had tried to share a tale with them too. ‘Father, today I killed a bear…’ he had started to say. Everywhere was silent at first. Seeing that as an encouragement, he continued to say what had transpired.
‘While I watched the sheep graze on the pasture, a bear suddenly came upon us. It howled terribly and scared the sheep away…’ Abinadab’s laugh interrupted him and then the others joined too.
‘Don’t be foolish!’ His father slapped the table violently silencing him.
‘Poor David, must have been afraid!’ Shammah said, callously nibbling unto the bread in his hand.
‘He saw no bear. He’s just making up stories to avoid work.’ Eliab mocked him.
David was about to protest when his father grabbed him by the ear.
‘Enough of these silly stories, David! I have no money to employ a servant, and you will tend the sheep for that is… that is your destiny!’
‘But father! It is true! I killed a bear! I …’ he said as tears streamed down his face
‘David that’s enough!’ his mother’s scold earned a total silence.
He got up from their midst like a wounded lamb. He overheard Eliab saying a bear would have broken his bones, and then they all laughed again.
‘Enough! Leave your little brother alone!’ Mother said as she patted Eliab’s head lightly.
He was the idol.
Why did they despise him so much? He wondered if the rumors were true. Was he really birth out of wedlock? Bitterness was beginning to fill his heart as he ran further hurriedly.
He grabbed his shepherd bag and walked on to the hills which had cast their shadows upon the land of Bethlehem. Reaching for his harp, he heaved deeply as the tears flowed freely. He sometimes wondered why the Lord Yahweh had given him such a family. They all hated him. He was treated as though, invisible. Even his mother, Nizbeth never seemed to see any good in whatever he did.
Is this really my destiny? To tend sheep?’
‘Give yourself to the Lord; trust in Him, and he will help you; he will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun…’ another spontaneous psalm formed on his lips as he plucked softly on his harp. His voice rose higher, melodiously caressing the words that flowed from his spirit. He sang until he was afloat, lost in a world of wonder. Free of rejection, pain, hurt and disappointment. It was beautiful, as ever.
His favorite sheep, Buba, nuzzled close to his ankle and he smiled as it bleated happily. It was supposed to be asleep, but it had awakened at the sound of his voice.
He drew his staff closely as he began the night watch. It would be a long night, filled with the howls of bears and lions in the valley at the other side of their home. But he would watch, and keep them safe. By all means, he would.
‘Yahweh will protect us. He always does, Buba.’
As he sang softly, Heaven gazed at him and smiled. God himself knew that He had found the Shepherd of His people.
INSIGHT
David is my fave Scripture guy! (do not ask me why! LOL). Reading through his psalms, the 69th for example, unveils the soul torture he had experienced growing up. Lastborns ought to be the most loved. But this was not true for him.
Despite all these, David learnt to find succour in God. He bewailed his anguish in psalms and prayers, exchanging his burden for Yahweh’s peace; reassuring us, that there is melody even in our darkest misery.
Jemimah Amonahini
Jemimah Oluwapelumi Amonahini is a Visionary Life Enthusiast, Educator, Entrepreneur and Writer. She is also the initiator of The WinTeen Faculty; A hub where she passionately commits to raising winning teenagers and youths. A graduate of Biological Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, she has a strong flair for writing and publishing and was functional in the departmental/faculty editorial crew whilst at college. Additionally, she is a regular participant in debates, symposia and content creation.