I enjoy reading the exploits of King David. He was chosen by God while still a shepherd to be future king of Israel.   He was the youngest of his clan.  He had limited leadership instruction, and yet God chose him for a special job.  Being a king demands obedience but with attributes of fairness, discernment, decisiveness, and loyalty of one’s subjects.  

David is securing his hold on the throne of Israel.  He appoints   men to carry out important jobs for him.  He looks for men of character who also demonstrated loyalty to him.  David’s kingship was always in jeopardy throughout his reign.  Even from his own sons! 

As King, David, gave assigned tasks to his most trusted men.  When reading
 1 Chronicles 27: 25-31, we read of David’s assignments.   The writer lists13 to 14 different men who are assigned various tasks.  I was amazed when reading the list.  Some are appointed to oversee royal store houses; some in charge of the field workers; some to watch over the king’s vineyard.  But reading further on, I find Shitrai who oversaw the herds grazing the fields; Obil, in charge of the camels; Jehdeiah in charge of the donkeys! 

                                                      Donkeys??

  Now why would a donkey watcher be listed in Scripture? Isn’t there really more important scriptural information that we need to know?  So, what do camel herders and donkey watchers have to do with us here and now anyway? 

Why is it important for us to know them?  In fact, I daresay, that most of us skip those verses entirely. But wait.  Here’s a message for us.  God has appointed each of us a task at any one particular time.  Whether we are washing dishes, cleaning our bathrooms, mopping the messy kitchen floor. 

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.”

Paul knew the stories of the overseers.  He knew about the storehouses, the vineyard keepers; he knew about the donkey keepers. 

No task is unworthy or too menial, if we do all for glory of God it will be pleasing to Him.  Just perhaps this is what Paul means when he mentions prayer without ceasing. Our prayers and our work, however menial, can all be done with a grateful heart. 

No job is unimportant!  No work is too small, no work is forgotten.  We are not preachers, or teachers or bible scholars.

                                     But camel herders and donkey watchers do count!