Narrative Lectionary 639 (NL407): God Calls David - October 19, 2025

Working Preacher's Narrative Lectionary

Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester as they dive deep into one of the most compelling stories from the Hebrew Bible - the call and anointing of David from 1 Samuel 16:1-13, paired with the powerful verses from Psalm 51 about creating a clean heart.

In this episode, we explore: * Why Samuel's mission to anoint David was an act of treason * The dramatic irony of Samuel falling into the same trap he's warned against - judging by appearances * The ancient symbolism of shepherds as kings throughout the Near East * How God's value system clashes with human expectations of leadership * The Hebrew understanding of "heart" as the seat of wisdom and discernment, not just emotion * Why the youngest son pattern appears throughout Scripture * How David's capacity for repentance becomes more important than his perfection

This podcast explores the Narrative Lectionary, offering fresh insights into familiar Bible stories and their relevance for today's world. Whether you're a pastor preparing for Sunday, a student of Scripture, or someone seeking deeper understanding of these ancient texts, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, calling, and God's surprising choices.

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 51:10-14 written by Amy G. Oden at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/god-calls-david/commentary-on-1-samuel-161-13-psalm-5110-14-4.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/UU72mewxkX4.