Wait!

By: Lisa Boisvert

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. 1 Samuel 22:2 (NLT)

King David didn't come from a royal family. When Samuel anointed him as the future king, David was still a shepherd boy. Biblical scholars believe there were about 15 years between David’s anointing and his coronation. And during eight of those years, David was fleeing from King Saul who wanted him dead.

Shortly after becoming a fugitive, 400 men joined David in exile. 1 Samuel 22:2 tells us that these men were troubled, indebted, and discontented. In the culture of the day, most of them were viewed as undesirable. Later, 37 of those men became known as "David’s Mighty Men."

These men were always at David's side. They were with him when he ate, slept, hunted, and fought. They witnessed David’s relationship with the Lord, and they saw him praise God, pray, and write a few Psalms. They watched David authentically living out his faith in God while being hunted by a madman.

After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: "I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do." Acts 13:22

It's unclear if David knew that his men were watching his actions. But it would have been impossible for David's men to not see how David trusted God and relied on Him for everything. David’s men learned a lot from their leader as David showed them what completely trusting God looked like.

We don't know if David was aware he was a role model, but it's clear that a group of distressed, indebted, and discontented men were being mentored by a godly man. As David patiently waited on God’s promise to become king, his mighty men waited alongside him.

Eventually, David's ragtag army was transformed into respectable, honorable warriors. God used David to change the hearts of his men. They aren't remembered as being distressed, indebted or discontented, they are remembered as David's loyal, brave, and devoted followers.

What about us? Are we making a positive difference in the lives of others? Like David, when we live our lives authentically and our faith remains constant, it can radically change the lives of those who are watching. But serving as a role model for others is a process, and it may take many years. So don't try to arrange godly opportunities, patiently wait for them like David.

Like David, let's commit to living life with a faith that is visible to others. Trust God, in both the good times and bad!