Just as My Mother Did… David’s Secret

Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.
Psalm 86:16, NIV

If you like mysteries, here’s one from the Bible. Why is there little mention of the mother of King David? David is described in 66 chapters in the Bible, yet his mother is unknown. We read about David’s father, Jesse, and David’s six older brothers and two sisters. All their names are given. But little is said of David’s mother. It’s a bit of a mystery. But we do have a critical clue in Psalm 86, when David tenderly prayed, “Save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.”

A mother’s influence lives on, even if her name is forgotten. Her power transcends time and surpasses generations. Somehow this woman of Bethlehem—we don’t even know her name—left an indelible influence for God on her son. Her faith inspired his own, and his faith slew lions, bears, and giants, and made him a man after God’s own heart.

The building blocks of a child’s faith are established early. It’s the privilege of every godly father and mother to cast a shadow for Christ that transcends the generations.