This week we started a new Bible study series looking at the life of David. David is one of the most beloved of Bible characters, probably remembered for two pivotal incidents, one involving a giant named Goliath, the other involving a married woman named Bathsheba, one at the beginning of his life, the other when he was a mature man and king over Israel. He features heavily in the historical books of the Old Testament (first appearing in 1 Samuel 16 and then becomes the main story throughout the rest of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, before dying in 1 Kings 2:10-11.) He is frequently referenced in the New Testament and, of course, was part of the human lineage of Jesus Christ (thus fulfilling God’s prophetic word that the Messiah would come from David’s line.) In so many ways, David has much to teach us and the fact he is called a ‘man after God’s own heart’ (Acts 13:22) points to the many spiritual lessons we can learn from his example and life.
It’s worth remembering, however, that David might appear to us on the scenes as a bolt out of the blue, a young shepherd boy who has six older brothers and two sisters, but he does not exist as a fully-formed human being! As we read about his life, we see how he was shaped by his family life and upbringing; we see his growth and development. This is reassuring to us, for we are all ‘works in progress’, as the saying goes. David shows us what it means to be human. We share in his sorrows and joys; we know his fears and hopes. The most characteristic thing about David is his relationship with God. It is this which ultimately defines him, and we do well to understand that it is our relationship with God which ultimately defines us. The question, as Casting Crowns point out in their song ‘Who Am I?’, is not so much ‘who am I?’ but ‘whose am I?’ (‘You told me who I am: I am Yours.’)
David is one individual in the Bible, but we see clearly that he is no island. He is born into a specific time, place and culture, as are we. He is shaped by family, friends and colleagues, as are we. He has the opportunity to respond to specific situations, as do we. Sometimes he triumphs magnificently; sometimes, he falls flat on his face. In this way, he is an archetype of humanity. Like Joseph and Joshua before him, he is a mirror to us, revealing faith, fear, despair, joy, exuberance, confidence, jealousy, generosity, duplicity, cunning, and every other human emotion possible. We do well to learn from the life of David: a real life anchored in historical reality but always reminding us of spiritual truths.
