Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of Paran.
- 1 Samuel 25:1
 
Last week we looked at the story where David chose the longer, better route to become king when he refused to stab King Saul in the back. Today, we’re going to pick up the story in the very next chapter.
 
This episode in the life of David begins with an important hinge moment. You might almost pass over it as your move from action to action. But this one-verse beat tells you something about David’s situation and state-of-mind in this week’s wild story.
 
Samuel died. Samuel served as the last judge of Israel, a powerful leader in the era before kings. The Lord directed Samuel to anoint Saul to be king. Then, when Saul’s dynasty got cut short, Samuel anointed David.
 
Samuel would have been a distant mentor-figure for David. A link to a kinder, gentler, more civil, more hopeful past. Samuel may have also served as a moderating influence against the partisan extremism of Saul’s advisors.
 
But more personally, Samuel would have been the person who best knew David’s story. Samuel heard from the Lord to anoint David. While everyone else judged on the outward appearance, the Lord saw David’s heart. And that affirmation and call came to David through Samuel.
 
With Samuel gone, who else knew that David had been anointed to be king? Who else saw David’s potential? Who else would believe that David was the rightful person to inherit the throne?
 
Change and loss can be disorienting to us. We can struggle and veer out of control. These are the times when we most need friends. These are the times when we most need God.
 
Think back through your life. When have you experienced change and loss? Who was there to help anchor you? What happened in your relationship with God during that season?