David
David was the second king of Israel, and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. He wrote numerous psalms. He spent his childhood in Bethlehem and was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse. He was keeper of his father’s sheep. In this job he learned courage and faithfulness. He had outstanding musical talent that figured prominently in his life.
When God rejected Saul as king of Israel, He sent the prophet Samuel to anoint David. There was no public announcement. When King Saul was troubled and had moods of depression his attendants secured David to play the harp to sooth Saul’s nerves. At this time he was exposed to government affairs that would later help him as king. During one of David’s visits home his father sent him to a battle area to inquire about the welfare his brothers. At this time he fought and killed the giant Goliath. This made him a national hero, but aroused the hatred of Saul. Saul’s son, however, admired David and they became lifelong friends. In recognition of his valor, David was made a military commander.
As David’s popularity grew, Saul’s fear increased until he could no longer hide his desire to kill David. In an attempt to make David an enemy target and secure David’s death, Saul married him to his daughter. When this plan failed, Saul sent men to David’s home to kill him. David fled and soon gathered a following. Saul spent much time trying to find and kill him. On at least two occasions David could have killed King Saul, but didn’t want to "lift his hand against God’s anointed." ( I Samuel 26:9)
When the Phillistines battled Saul and his army at Gilboa, they were victorious and killed Saul and his son Jonathan. David was then elected as king of Judah and placed on the throne at Hebron. The rest of the kingdom set up Ishbosheth, Saul’s son as ruler. Civil war raged between the two factions. When Ishbosheth was killed David was elected king over all the people of Israel. Jerusalem became the new capital. After establishing his authority he proceeded to strengthen the worship of God. He moved the Ark of the Covenant back into the tabernacle and began making plans to build a house of worship. God told him that the building of the Temple would be entrusted to his successor.
Although David was a righteous king he was subject to sin. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the death of her husband Uriah. The prophet Nathan exposed his wrongdoing and David repented. While God assured David of forgiveness, David still experienced the consequences from these acts. Suffering marks his life, after this sin. In keeping with his own statement of punishment that the guilty party should "repay four fold," David lost four children. His beautiful prayer asking for forgiveness is recorded in Psalm 51. David was 71 when he died, having been king for 40 years. He was called "a man after God’s own heart" and listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11.
Lessons from the life of David:
- We need an unchangeable belief in the faithful and forgiving nature of God.
- When we sin we should be quick to confess and repent.
- Confessions must be genuine to be pleasing to God.
- We will suffer the consequences of our actions.
- David sinned greatly, but he didn’t sin repeatedly.
- We need to deal decisively with the sins of our children.
- God greatly desires our complete trust and worship.
David’s story is told in 1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 2. He is also mentioned in Amos 6:5; Matthew 1:1, 6; 22:43-45; Luke 1:32; Acts 13:22; Romans 1:3; and Hebrews 11:32.
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