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Introductory Study: A Man after God's own heart — a Study of David

In ancient times when monarchy was a standard form of government, states were ruled with total authority by persons who held the title ‘king’. While practices varied from place to place, a fairly common position was for the king to be known as a god’s representative on earth, or even as a deity himself. In theory at least, the sovereign was to rule wisely. However, as might be expected kings sometimes failed in matters of justice. In addition to Israelite belief in God as their true king, awareness of the abuse of kingship in other states and fear of similar failure in Hebrew society probably influenced them in resisting the introduction of monarchy. Eventually, about a thousand years before Christ, Saul and then David became kings of Israel. God Himself called David ‘a man after my own heart’ (Acts 13:22). How could a man – any human being – deserve such praise? Especially one whose failures are recorded for all the world to gloat over? There must be something about David that overrides the plainness and the sins of his life. We will look at some characteristics of the man with whom the Lord was so pleased.

DAVID THE OUTDOORS MAN was suntanned, healthy, handsome and powerful enough to kill lions and bears single-handed! Though famous as a brave man and a warrior (1 Sam. 16:18) David combined his physical strength with tender care for helpless sheep. Often at night David gazed at the open sky, marvelling at God’s creation (Ps. 8:3-4). Most of us have felt the same sense of awe at some time in our lives. We know more than David did about the vastness of the universe, but even the most skilled astronomer must admit great gaps in his knowledge. Indoors or outdoors, we can praise the Lord with David the strong-gentle shepherd: ‘O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens’ (Ps. 8:1).

DAVID THE SUBMISSIVE SON stayed out on the hillside with the sheep even when important visitors came for a ritual sacrifice (1 Sam. 16). Then when his father sent for him he came, showing no sign of resentment. Later, too, with his brothers away at the war, David showed a submissive spirit and set out to visit them as his father directed (17:20).

Implicit obedience to a parent by a gifted young man may surprise today’s modern youth. ‘Honour your father and your mother’ had been God’s command to the Israelites centuries earlier, and is repeated in Ephesians 6:1-2 for us as well.

DAVID THE MUSICIAN used both the instrument in his hands and his singing voice in God’s service. He gave his talents to the Lord. His reputation as a skilled harpist took him into King Saul’s court where his music stilled the king’s troubled soul. Many of the songs in the Psalter are attributed to David, earning for him the title of the Sweet Singer of Israel. If he were living now how famous would he become for his lyrics and music? We can be sure he would gladly, with us, follow Ephesians 5:19.

DAVID, DEPENDENT ON THE LORD, always took care to give Him the praise for his victories. For example, while he used his skill with sling and stone to kill Goliath, David made it clear where the credit was due (1 Sam. 17:37). Over and over again in the psalms David praises God for His many deliverances – one more reason for the Lord to be pleased with him.

DAVID, NEVER VINDICTIVE, ALWAYS FORGAVE. If anyone could be expected to seek retribution for unjust treatment, it was David. He put up with incredible persecution from King Saul. All his life David showed the same forgiving attitude towards his enemies both inside and outside his family. He must have known Moses’ song where the Lord Himself claims the right of revenge (Deut. 32:35). Much later – but writing in the same Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit – Paul picked up the theme in Romans 12:19. Clearly it is not for us to avenge our enemies.

DAVID IS AN EXAMPLE OF A WORSHIPFUL SPIRIT. He was convinced of God’s all-encompassing greatness. To him the Lord was mighty in power, and powerful in tenderness. For this David praised God anywhere and everywhere, on lonely Bethlehem hills, in shadowy valleys of persecution, and at home. David especially loved the tent (tabernacle) where formal worship took place. We see his excitement at the musical procession in Psalm 68:24-27. How thrilled he would have been had he lived to see the temple built! And yet ... would a temple structure ever please the Lord as greatly as worship from a man’s heart? As well as the Scripture references already suggested, look up the following verses and match them with the traits of David’s character we have been discussing. More importantly, ask yourself whether there are areas in your life that would change if you took these guidelines for living.

• Proverbs 1:8.
• Revelation 14:7; Psalm 29:2; John 4:23-24.
• Psalm 57:5.
• Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 33:2-3.
• Matthew 18:21-22; Mark 11:25.
• Psalm 118:8-9; Habakkuk 3:19.

David is what we call a ‘type’ of Jesus Christ. That is, some aspects of his character and life foreshadowed the Lord Jesus who was to come a thousand years later. In fact, Jesus was a descendant of David. Look at the genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Discuss two or three things you already know about David that remind you of Jesus. Then week by week watch out for more aspects of his life that make him a ‘type’ of Christ. We would be remiss if we thought only positively about David. The Bible is an honest book. It tells the truth about people. King David’s sins, and their unhappy consequences, are not hidden. This introductory study majors on his good points, but over the next eleven weeks all sides of his character will emerge. This study is based mainly on the narratives found in 1 and 2 Samuel. We suggest that you read, not only the verses set down for the studies, but the whole story from 1 Samuel 16 to 2 Samuel 24. Part of the account is repeated in 1 Chronicles beginning at chapter 11.

Study 1
Starting at the Bottom

Questions

DAY 1: 1 Samuel 15:17-23, 35; 16:1-2.
a) Why was Saul to be replaced as king of Israel and who made this decision?
b) Describe how Samuel, God’s prophet, felt about the situation.

DAY 2: 1 Samuel 16:1-5.
a) Whose son was to become Israel’s next sovereign ?
b) Who were invited to take part in the sacred ceremony?

DAY 3: 1 Samuel 16:6-10.
a) Why might Samuel have thought that Eliab would be God’s choice?
b) How does the Lord’s assessment of people differ from ours?

DAY 4: 1 Samuel 16:11; 17:28, 33, 41-42.
List all these men who held David in low esteem, and try to understand why they felt that way about him.

DAY 5: 1 Samuel 16:12-13.
a) What picture of David do we get from these verses?
b) Would you want to be like David in any way?

DAY 6: 1 Samuel 16:14-18.
a) What more do we learn about David today?
b) Which statement in verse 18 appeals most to you?

DAY 7: 1 Samuel 16:19-23.
a) Where did David’s new appointment take him?
b) What were King Saul’s feelings for David in these early days?

Notes

DAVID: a nobody.

SAMUEL: the last and greatest of the Judges, and first of the Prophets. God’s messages came to the people through him – and everyone knew it.

SAUL: the first king of Israel. But he had failed miserably, and simply had to be replaced.

JESSE: an elderly, wealthy citizen of importance, known far and wide for his good reputation.

ELDERS: the ruling body of the town.

SEVEN SONS OF JESSE: Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah and the rest, being the‘ big brothers’ of the family, did manly things like taking part in sacrifices (16:5). The three oldest even followed King Saul and went off to war (17:13).

Compared with the prophet, the king, the father, the rulers and the older sons, David occupies a humble place among the characters of chapter 16. But he doesn’t stay there! Although no one knew it, David was the one God had chosen for an incredibly high honour. He was to become the greatest king that Israel would ever know and in spite of his later mistakes, his life and writings have been a blessing to millions over the intervening three thousand years. More than that, David’s line produced Jesus, the Saviour, Christ the Lord. The Bible often tells of ordinary people doing ordinary daily work when God called them. Gideon (Judg. 6:11-14), Amos (Amos 7:14-15), Matthew (Matt. 9:9) and Simon and Andrew (Matt. 4:18-20) were called out from humble occupations to be judge, prophet or apostle. Faithful, humble work lays the foundation for a larger responsibility. A tennis match is not won by the last smash hit. A series of successful games builds up to the final point. You may not consider yourself a candidate for greatness. Did you miss out on intellectual prowess, or talent to make you popular? Remember David, the country boy who simply looked after sheep. God’s chief criterion for choosing special people for His work is the question: ‘Are you willing to obey me?’ He knew that David could gladly answer ‘Yes!’ and that the young man was ready to profit from all the highs and lows that lay ahead. One day we will be surprised to see what God has done with some unlikelylooking people – as long as they were ready to start at the bottom to move to the top.