1. A motley flock of sheep (1-5)

David was a fugitive, fleeing from King Saul, but he was still a shepherd. All those in trouble and distress came to him, and he became their shepherd. He sent his own family into exile in Moab, and took care of the outcast, homeless people who had come to him. These men became the nucleus of a strong army.

2. A false shepherd (6-23)

Saul the king should have been the shepherd of his people, but he was full of an evil spirit of jealousy. He didn't care about God or man--he only wanted to kill David. When he rebuked his officials for not cooperating, a foreigner, Doeg the Edomite, told him that Ahimelech the priest who lived in Nob had helped David. Ahimelech pointed out David's loyalty to Saul. None of the king's men would carry out his order to execute the priests, so the king ordered Doeg to do it. Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, escaped and joined David.

Application: Lord, thank you for showing me that titles and authority don't make shepherds. Raise up real shepherds like David for the young people of this land.
One Word: A shepherd heart makes a shepherd