Dave spoke on King David, described by God in Acts 13:22 as ‘a man after my own heart.’ David is one of the best known and best loved of all Bible characters, with his victory against the giant Goliath known even by non-Christians. As a psalmist and king, David’s influence on Israel was great, but the Bible is clear in showing us his faults, sins and shortcomings as well as his victories. David can teach us much about faith, obedience, repentance, worship and trust, and it is significant that God’s own testimony about David is so positive.
Saul, Israel’s first king, was chosen because the people wanted to be like the other nations. Samuel warned against a king, and Saul, although outwardly fitting the part of a handsome, strong king, soon showed himself to be jealous, someone who overstepped his boundaries and whose disobedience was significant to a nation for whom God was the primary ruler. David was chosen as Saul’s successor: an unlikely candidate, the youngest son of Jesse, but it is significant that even at this stage, God comments on the fact He is not swayed by outward appearances but looks at the heart. (1 Sam 17:7) Whilst we do not always understand God’s reasons for doing things, we can see in the choice of David as king:
- God’s sovereign providence (He works behind the scenes to see His plans fulfilled)
- God’s sovereign planning (clearly directing the prophet Samuel to choose David, and His hand in David’s lineage, with both Rahab and Ruth, pagan women drawn into God’s story as his ancestors)
- God’s sovereign power (He not only has plans and dreams, but has the power to fulfil these!)
In David, we see a man who:
- had a true and genuine faith (see, for example, his words in 1 Sam 17:34-37, when he speaks of all God has taught him, even as a young man)
- knew how to be truly grateful to God for His many blessings (his psalms are often evidence of this gratitude.)
- knew how to repent (he failed in many aspects of life, committing adultery, murder and lying, but when confronted, he confessed and repented, Psalm 51 showing us the depth of his sorrow.)
- sought to live an authentic, transparent life before God, often asking God to test him and examine his heart and mind (see Ps 26:2, for example).
David is portrayed as one who was faithful, thankful, truthful, trusting and transparent. He was a man who learned to live in dependence on God, being fully aware that he was chosen by God and loved by God. We do well to pray as he did, asking God to create in us a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us.