What can we learn from David's life?
The Bible frequently mentions David, especially in the Old Testament but sometimes in the New Testament. David's life is chronicled in the books of Samuel 1 and 2, and he composed a number of songs that are included in the book of Psalms. What can we learn about David's life and writings now that we know so much about him?
Around the year 1000 BC, David lived (see timeline). He was born in Bethlehem, a tiny town in Israel's country (about 10 km from Jerusalem). David was a member of the Israelite tribe of Judah. He grew raised during the reign of Saul, Israel's first king. He became Israel's second king when he was 30 years old. He ruled for 7.5 years over a portion of the kingdom and then for another 33 years over the entire Israelite population.
David has become the ideal ruler of Israel and a figurehead for Jesus Christ, the ultimate King. He wrote a lot of Psalms, as has already been established. These are deeply personal songs about his spiritual life or songs addressed directly to God. Reading them allows us to get to know David as a man who desired to serve, praise, and trust God.
The story of David's life:-
When we first meet David in the Bible, he does not appear to be a particularly spectacular person: he is the youngest son of Jesse the Bethlehemite and is in charge of the sheep. David is not even invited to accompany the prophet Samuel when he comes to Jesse's family to sacrifice to the Lord (and secretly anoint a new king)! He doesn't appear to be very important.
But God chooses this ordinary shepherd child to be the new king of Israel. This is no simple process, and it will take years before David is truly proclaimed king. Saul, his predecessor, tries all in his power to prevent his "rival" from assuming the throne. Despite the challenges he faces, David continues to believe in the Lord and has experiences that God is with him. He proves to be a smart and valiant king in the face of many challenges.
David is frequently at battle with other kingdoms during his reign, and he expands his domain. “I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your foes from before you,” God says later (2 Samuel 7:9).
“A man after My own heart,” God says of David (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). That isn't to say he was without fault. We simply need to read 2 Samuel 11 to realize how low David had sunk: he took Bathsheba, the wife of one of his generals because she was exceedingly attractive.
When Bathsheba's pregnancy was discovered, David summoned her husband Uriah from the battlefield in the hopes that he would sleep with her. Bathsheba's pregnancy would be "solved" in this way.
Uriah, on the other hand, refused to return home, even after being made drunk, so David sent him back to the battleground with a note ordering his murder. David married Bathsheba after Uriah died. The entire story is concluded with a clear statement: "the thing that David had done grieved the Lord" (2 Samuel 11:27).
God wasn't going to let David get away with it. David repented after he was confronted with his sin. Psalm 51 gives us a close look into his feelings:
“I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinner
and done what is evil in Your sight,
[…]
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness.”
Forgiveness and repentance
Forgiveness and Repentance:-
That, I believe, is what distinguishes David as a "man after God's heart": despite his sins, he constantly repented and returned to God. He put his faith in the Lord and sought to obey his commands. Psalm 139:23-24, for example, expresses this:
“God, search me and know my heart!
Try me out and let me know what you think!
And check whether there's something heinous in me.
and show me the route to eternal life! ”
David's relationship with God was restored once he was pardoned. He, on the other hand, would have to live with the consequences of his wrongdoing for the rest of his life. “Because you have scorned Me and taken Uriah the Hittite's wife as your bride, the sword shall never leave your house” (2 Samuel 12:10).
Psalms and a regal lineage are David's legacy:-
I've previously mentioned a few Psalms, but David authored many more. Some are intended for private worship, while others are for public worship. Many believers, from David's contemporaries to modern-day Christians all around the world, have found great value in these hymns. They express fear, despair, and befuddlement, as well as hope, trust, and praise. Although David's life was obviously different from ours, many people may relate to and be inspired by his relationship with God.
“Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me,” God told David, the second king of Israel. Your throne will be established in perpetuity” (2 Samuel 7:16). David's royal dynasty has produced a large number of rulers. His descendants ruled until the exile of the Israelites came to an end. But it wasn't "forever"...
Jesus Christ as the Son of David:-
This brings us to the ultimate “Son of David”. As God had promised by the prophets, the Messiah would be from the royal line of David. People had very high expectations of this Messiah: he would restore Israel’s political freedom and bring overall prosperity. He would restore their relationship with God, and lead the people in righteousness.
Many people did not recognize or acknowledge this Son of David when he eventually arrived. He did not deliver political freedom or peace (yet), but he did bring spiritual regeneration. He did not come as a victorious King who defeated his foes but as a suffering Servant who offered his life to reconcile people to God.
Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He has come to deliver his people from the grips of sin and death, and he will return to rule injustice. “He will be great, and the Son of the Highest will be his name. And the Lord God will give Him His father David's throne, and He will reign over Jacob's house forever, and His dominion will have no end.” 32-33) (Luke 1:32-33).
Some takeaways for us:-
David's life demonstrates that God is unconcerned about one's social background. God, on the other hand, examines the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). “Thus says the Lord of hosts, I called you out of the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over My people Israel” (2 Samuel 7:8).
God always keeps his promises, even if they take time and come in unexpected ways. David was anointed king, but Saul pursued him for years before he became Israel's true monarch. David believed that God would keep his word, and He did! When Israel was banished centuries later and no longer had a king, the promise that David's royal line would govern forever looked to be violated. However, Jesus is the true Son of David, and He will reign for all eternity!
Being a man or woman after God's heart does not imply that you are flawless. It does imply that you should repent of your sins and love the Lord with all of your heart. He's ready to forgive you! Are you one of these people? If not, what is preventing you from committing your life to God?