I Samuel 16:20
“Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by David his son.”
Jesse's got to have many thoughts in mind. Earlier he finds he and his family were invited to a banquet in which Samuel is to attend. He's the number one figure in the country. Someone is to watch the sheep, he asks David to do that. At the banquet Samuel asks for David's attendance. He arrives and is anointed king.
That fact must have shocked them all. He was the youngest. In a chapter or two, we'll see his older brothers get angry with him like family does with the younger members. Yet, the little brother gets the promotion over them all. That one dinner party caused the family order to invert itself. There was probably awkward silence in the house.
Jesse knew his family was special, especially David. He was a wonderful mix of strong traits and sensitive ones. While a shepherd he had to rescue his sheep from predators. In his explanation to Saul why he should be allowed to face Goliath, he tells of how he killed a lion and a bear. That's quite a feat. He's also a talented musician, as we see in today's verse. Lastly we see his emotional insight and honesty as he's able to express himself with over 100 psalms.
Now Jesse is sending David off to the royal palace. He is probably a mix of worry and wonder. "Is David going to be ok. Will Saul learn of David's kingly prophecy?" Jesse can also see God's hand on his son. Today's verse has Jesse sending his son off with as much as he can do.
Jesse is performing the advice his grandson will write in Ecclesiastes 11:1 probably seventy years in the future. "Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days." It's natural to clutch on to things. But that stunts growth in the children we don't demonstrate trust in as well as in ourselves as we aren't showing trust in the Lord.
To control is a natural reaction. But when others are involved, they want it as much as we do. To force our way generates much conflict. We need to have a light grip on things. Our plans shouldn't be so fixed that changes can't occur.
Jesus tells a parable of a business man who is so caught in his plans that he has neglected his spiritual health. Here Jesus tells the story's end in Luke 12:20, "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'" We aren't to be so caught up in things that God and others aren't considered.
Jesus speaks of how we are to live in John 3:8. "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." Just as the wind is invisible, so is the manner in which the Spirit guides us. It's just fine to make plans and goals, we need to give them to the Lord for His blessing (James 4:15). We need to allow Him to control them. Jesse could not protect David any longer, so he sends him off with gifts.
Lord help us to have a light touch on matters. Help us to go with things we can't control or the things that You are controlling. Thank You that You care for us enough to want to lead us.