SENIOR
AGE
GROUP: 14 - 15 YEARS
STANDARD
(GRADE): IX & X
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LESSON – 16
DAVID – A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART
David, the Shepherd Boy
David was born around 1000 BC and was the youngest
son of Jesse (1 Samuel 16:10-11) from the tribe of Judah. Jesse lived in the
town of Bethlehem. The name David is derived from the Hebrew word Dowd, meaning
“beloved.” He is described as handsome and ruddy with beautiful eyes (1 Samuel
16:12). David tended his father’s sheep on the hillsides around Bethlehem.
David was strong and brave-hearted. He was not afraid of the wild animals that
prowled around to carry away his sheep. He had fought with lions and bears and
killed them, when they tried to take away the lambs of his flock. David was
extremely skilled at playing the harp. People around him recognized that he was
courageous, intelligent, a skilled warrior and that the Lord was with him (I
Samuel 16:18). King Saul, the first king of Israel ruled over the nation during
this time.
Modern Bethlehem town Shepherd with his sheep in a Bethlehem field
Samuel Anoints David
Even though King Saul had started his kingship in
a humble manner, soon he started to disobey God and God was displeased with
him. This led him to be rejected as king by God. God decided to transfer the reign
of the nation of Israel to another man, who would obey him. God told Prophet Samuel
to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be the next king. God did not tell the
prophet which one of Jesse’s sons was the chosen one. Jesse,
David’s father had eight sons and was well-respected in Bethlehem. Eliab,
Jesse’s oldest son was fine looking, tall and handsome that Samuel thought he
must be the one God had chosen. Jesse brought all his sons except David and
presented them before Samuel, but God selected none of them. God told Samuel, “The
Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).
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Samuel asked Jesse whether he had anymore sons,
only then Jesse sent for men to bring back David who was tending sheep in the
fields. David being left to keep the sheep in the fields even though there was
a sacrifice and feast in the family shows that David’s father Jesse and his
brothers did not identify or value the exceptional spirit that was in David.
This is one of many aspects in which David foreshadowed the son of David, Jesus
Christ, who was the stone which the builders rejected but was made the chief
cornerstone (Matthew 21:42). When David appeared before Samuel, God told prophet Samuel
that he was the chosen one. Samuel anointed David in the presence
of his family. Samuel left immediately and went back home. David returned to
tending his sheep, because God had allowed Saul to rule for as long as he
lived. David's life as a shepherd enabled him to compose one of the most beautiful psalms, Psalm-23, that has comforted, uplifted and strengthened people all over the world, over thousands of years.
David plays the Harp for King Saul
When David was anointed by Prophet Samuel, the
Spirit of God came upon him, At the same time the Spirit of God departed from
King Saul and an evil spirit tormented him. King Saul began to suffer attacks
of depression and insanity. King Saul’s ministers started to look for a remedy
to soothe him. King Saul suggested to find a man who can play the harp well so
that he can be relieved from his torment. One of the servants told King Saul
that he had seen a son of Jesse play the harp and he was extremely skilled in
it. The Hebrew word for harp is kinnowr, or kinnor, which is the instrument
invented by Lamech’s son Jubal (Genesis 4:21). It was David whom the servant
suggested. King Saul immediately sent for David. So, David came before King
Saul and whenever King Saul felt unwell, David would play his harp and that
would make King Saul feel better.
David & Goliath
David went back and forth from playing harp for
Saul and going to Bethlehem to care for his father’s sheep. There was an
ongoing battle between the Philistines and the Israelites. David’s three oldest
brothers were in King Saul’s army and went away to fight the
Philistines. Jesse wanted David to take some food to his brothers and to
bring a report from them. David reached the army camp and as he was talking to
his brothers, he heard a giant shouting from the Philistine camp. His name
was Goliath. He was challenging the God of Israel and taunting the Israelites.
Goliath wanted one man from Israel to fight against him. But the Israelites
were terrified of him. David was enraged that the heathen would challenge the
Lord’s army and wanted to fight him.
David wanted to know more, so he started to speak
with the other men in the army. When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, saw this,
he burned with anger at him. He spoke harshly and accused him of having a conceited
and wicked heart and having come there only to watch the battle. Few days
earlier, Eliab had seen Prophet Samuel anointing his youngest brother David as
the future king of Israel, and the Holy Spirit coming upon David. But Eliab and
his family didn’t seem to have changed their attitude and disdain towards
David. He was brought before King Saul, but the king was not convinced. Yet
David remained confident. Finally, King Saul permitted him to go and fight the
Philistine. David’s trust was in the Lord. He believed that God would
fight this battle and the whole world would see God’s power and know there is a
God in Israel. David took his sling and picked five smooth stones from the
stream and kept it in his shepherd’s bag. David put a stone in his sling and
shot it at Goliath’s forehead. The stone sunk into the giant Goliath’s
forehead, and he fell face down on the ground, dead. When the Philistines
saw that Goliath was dead, they ran away.
Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath,
Photo credit:Dennis Jarvis
King Saul envies David
King Saul
sent David on many assignments and everywhere he went, David was successful. It
was David’s success as a mighty warrior that triggered Saul’s jealousy. When
they were coming home from a battle of the Philistines, the women came out of
the cities singing and dancing to meet King Saul. They were happy as they sang
“Saul has killed thousands, but David has killed ten thousands!” When Saul
heard that, he became very angry. He didn’t like that David was esteemed higher
than him. So, Saul began to watch David. The next day King Saul was tormented
by the evil spirit again, so David came to him and played music for him like he
had done before. This time Saul had a spear in his hand. Saul threw the spear
at David saying he would pin David to the wall. This happened twice but David
escaped. Saul was afraid of David after that because he knew God was with
David. Saul sent David away and made him a captain over 1,000 soldiers. David
continued to behave wisely, and he was well respected. Saul envied David even
more and considered him an enemy.
David’s
Life as a Fugitive
When David found that his life was in danger from
King Saul, he fled. Saul driven by jealousy started to spend more time chasing
David than governing the nation. This forced David to be continuously on a move
to protect himself from King Saul. Psalm 59 was written when David found that
King Saul had sent men to kill him (I Samuel 19:11 – 12).
At Prophet Samuel’s Place
– The first place David sought sanctuary when he tried to escape King Saul was
with prophet Samuel. But Saul no longer feared God and found out David’s
whereabouts. Except for divine protection, Saul would have killed David in
Samuel's very home (I Samuel 19:18-24).
Tabernacle of the Lord at Nob
- From there David left for the Tabernacle of the Lord
at Nob. David and his men were hungry and they requested some food from the
priest. The only food Ahimelech, the priest had was the
consecrated showbread. They were the loaves of the Bread of the Presence,
that had been before the Lord in the Tabernacle the previous week. It is holy,
and normally only eaten by the priests themselves (Leviticus 24:5-9). Ahimelech
was hesitant to give the holy bread but didn’t want to deny it either, so he
asked David whether all the men were ritually clean. David assured him that he
and his men were ritually clean and Ahimelech gave him some bread. Then David
asked Ahimelech if there were any weapons available. The sword of Goliath was there
wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. The priest gave that also to David (I
Samuel 21). At that time one of King Saul’s servants, Doeg the Edomite was there
at the Tabernacle at Nob. David was scared that Doeg might betray him to King Saul,
so he fled Nob immediately. Just as David thought, Doeg informed King Saul
about David’s visit to the Tabernacle at Nob and King Saul was furious at the
priests for helping David (I Samuel 22:8-23). Psalm 52 was written by David
based on this incident.
At the
Philistine King Achish’s place - David fled to one of the main Philistine
cities, Gath for protection. King Achish did not seem to recognize David, but
members of Achish’s court were suspicious of David, so he was forced to move
again (I Samuel 21:10 – 15). Psalm 34
& Psalm 56 indicate that they were written during this time. Even though
the name Abimelech is given for the Philistine king in Psalms 34, “Abimelech”
is considered as a title given to the Philistine Kings, just like the title
“Pharaoh” for the Egyptian Kings.
Ruins of Gath city (Modern name:Tel Tzafit), Photo credit: Public Domain
Caves of Adullam – David
travelled a few miles east to Adullam. When his family heard that
David was hiding in Adullam, they went to him. David's brothers and sisters and
their children joined David at Adullam. The caves at Adullam were not safe
enough and still vulnerable to Saul's army. David and his army had to find
another stronghold in the wilderness of Judah (I Samuel 22:1, 2). Psalm 57 is
thought to have been written while David lived in this cave.
Cave at Adullam, Israel
Moab - While in
that region, David went to Moab, east of the Dead Sea, and left his aging
parents in the care of the king of Moab. Prophet Gad told him not to stay in the
stronghold but to go into the land of Judah. So David left and went to the
forest of Hereth (I Samuel 22:3 – 5).
Forest of Hereth
David did not stay here for long. He got information that Keilah, a town of
Judah was under attack. David inquired of the Lord and led by God he went to
Keilah to rescue the city (I Samuel 22:5).
City of Keilah
– David and his men reached Keilah, fought with the
Philistines and delivered the inhabitants of Keilah. But the ungrateful people
of Keilah wanted to hand him over to King Saul in return for favours. This was
revealed by God to David, so once again he ran away to the desert of Ziph (1
Samuel 23:1 - 13).
Ruins of City of Keilah (Tell Keila)
Desert of Ziph -
David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. The
men of Ziph went and informed King Saul, but David escaped. Psalms 54 was
written when David heard about the Ziphites deception. Day after day Saul
searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands (I Samuel 23: 14 –
23).
Desert of Maon – David
then moved a few miles south to the desert of Maon. Saul was hot on David's
trail. When Saul was going along one side of the mountain, David and his men
were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. But just as they were
about to capture David, a messenger reported to Saul about a Philistine raid. Saul
was forced to stop his pursuit of David to defend his country against the
Philistines (I Samuel 23:24 – 29).
Desert of Maon (Tell Maon), Israel
Desert of En Gedi – David
had two opportunities to kill Saul. It was at En-gedi that David had the first
opportunity to kill Saul. King Saul, who was pursuing David went into a cave. But
David and his men were hiding inside the cave. Unknown to Saul, David cut off a
corner of Saul’s cloak. But David felt guilty because Saul was “the LORD’s
anointed” (I Samuel 24). Psalm 142 composed during David’s stay in a cave
could have been written during this time.
En Gedi, Israel
Desert of Ziph - David
was hiding in the Hill of Hakilah in the desert of Ziph. King Saul was on his
pursuit of David. It was during this time that David had the second opportunity
to harm Saul. David found Saul and his military men in a deep sleep. Abishai,
brother of Joab, accompanied David. Instead of harming Saul, David took Saul’s
spear and water jar. Then David drew their attention and faulted Saul’s
commander, Abner for failing to keep the king safe. Saul admitted that he had
done wrong. Finally, Saul blessed David and they parted ways.
This was the last time Saul and David encountered each other (I Samuel 26).
Desert of Ziph, Israel
At the Philistine King, Achish’s place – David
became wary of Saul’s ruthless pursuit and once again returned to the Philistine
king Achish at Gath. By this time, David seems to be on good terms with Achish,
king of Gath. David may have interacted with him through intermediaries,
whatever the reason, King Achish immediately granted the town of Ziklag for him
to stay. He even wanted to use David’s military skills. While David lived in
the country of the Philistines, he fought for Achish and was so successful that
the king made David his bodyguard (1 Samuel 28:2). But at
that time the Philistines were gathering for war against King Saul and the
Israelites. Achish’s ministers were unsure of David’s loyalty, because he had
fought for King Saul. They told Achish to send David back, which Achish did
reluctantly. Therefore, David was not present for the Philistine war against
the Israelites. It was during this war that King Saul’s life ended.
Excavations at city of Ziklag
When David returned to Ziklag, he found that the
town had been raided by the Amalekites. They had burned the city and taken the
people captive, including David’s two wives Abigail and Ahinoam. David and his
men attacked the Amalekites and rescued Abigail, Ahinoam, and everything that
was taken. In addition to his successful rescue, David also showed generosity
by distributing the recovered goods equally among those who went with him and
those who stayed back, a practice which the Israelites continued from that day
on (I Samuel 27 - 30).
David’s life as a fugitive helps us to understand,
at least in part, the various circumstances and emotions described in his
psalms - his anger, anguish, dejection, despair, petitions and prayers. David
also experienced God’s marvellous rescues and deliverances in these situations.
Because David’s soul sought refuge in God alone, it produced the purest form of
praise and thanksgiving (Read Psalms 18 which David wrote after God delivered
him from all his enemies and King Saul).
David Formally Anointed as King
The Lord had rejected Saul as king many years
before (1 Samuel 13:14; 15:23). Finally, Saul’s life came to an end, while
fighting Philistines at the Mount of Gilboa. David returned to Israel and
settled in the town of Hebron in Judah. It was at Hebron that the leaders of
Judah anointed David and proclaimed him their king. At first, David’s reign was
limited to Judah, the southern part of Israel. Ish-Bosheth, one of Saul’s
remaining sons, was made king over Israel, the northern part of the country. Two
of Ish-Bosheth’s military leaders hatched a plan to betray him and gain the
confidence of David. They assassinated Ish-Bosheth and hurried to David to
inform him that they had killed Ish-Bosheth in order to avenge David for all
the wrong Saul had done to him. But David, would not condone their act. It was
after David’s impartial response to the assassination of Ish-Bosheth that the
leaders of Israel, expressed their confidence in David and were willing to
accept him as their king. The leaders of Israel gathered together and anointed
David to be king over a United Kingdom, which included all the 12 tribes of
Israel. David would reign for 33 years over the twelve tribes. He conquered the
city of Jerusalem from the non-Hebrew Jebusites, renaming it as the City of
David also known as Zion.
Jerusalem in modern times
David brings back the Ark of God
One of David’s greatest desires was to bring back
the Ark of God to Jerusalem. The Ark had been residing in Abinadab’s home in
Kiriath Jearim in Judah for many years after it returned from the Philistines.
There were three days of feasting when David was anointed as king. During that
festive mood, King David consulted with his leaders about his idea to bring
back the Ark of God to Jerusalem. They decided that the Ark would be brought on
a new oxen cart and Abinadab’s two sons, Ahio and Uzza would drive the cart. But
it was contrary to God’s commandment. While they were bringing the Ark, the
oxen stumbled. Uzzah reached back to steady the Ark of God but was struck down
as a punishment. David was scared and had the Ark brought to the family of
Obed-Edom where the Ark stayed for three months. During this time God blessed
the family of Obed-Edom. King David regained confidence to bring the Ark of God
to Jerusalem once again.
But this time he consulted with the priests to
bring the Ark of God. According to the Law of Moses, the priests carried the Ark
of God this time. There was much rejoicing as David brought the Ark into the
city.
David wore a linen ephod
and danced before the LORD with all his might. Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked
through a window and saw David leaping and whirling before the LORD. Michal despised
David in her heart and insulted him when he got home. David answered Michal
saying that he danced before the Lord who had chosen him as the ruler instead
of her father and all of his house.
David’s Mistakes
David’s glorious reign was marred when he committed
a terrible sin. While his army was away, David was relaxing at the palace. He
saw a beautiful woman named Bathsheba and wanted to marry her. But she was
already married. Her husband’s name was Uriah. He was one of the most trusted
military leaders of David. In an attempt to cover his sin, David got Uriah
killed in a war and married the now-widowed Bathsheba. God sent Prophet Nathan to
condemn David for his sin. David was remorseful and repented with grief, crying
out to God for mercy (Read his prayer for mercy in Psalm 51). As a result of
his sin, the child born to him and Bathsheba died. Later, David had another
child with Bathsheba, a child named Solomon who became the next king of Israel.
The second big sin David committed against God was
his ordering Joab to number Israel and take a census of his fighting men or
soldiers. Joab tried to deter David from doing it. But David was instigated by
Satan to carry out the census and he was stubborn about carrying it out. Later
David’s heart troubled him (2 Sam 24:10). David pleaded with God to forgive him
for acting unwisely. God sent Gad, a seer to inform David of the consequences
of his action. He had to face three possible punishments – the first being
seven years of famine, or David will flee three months before his foes while
they pursue him or three days of pestilence in his land. David told Gad that he
was willing to face the punishment given by God directly and not through any
man. He did not want to fall into the hands of men. He had greater trust in the
mercies of the Lord than in any other human being. He had seen and felt the
wickedness and depravity of the human heart when he was hunted and chased by
King Saul. David chose the third punishment, and the Lord then punished Israel
with a plague. Why did God punish the whole nation for the sin of the king? The
answer to this could be found in the Law of Moses. God had given specific
directions regarding taking census in the Law of Moses. In Exodus 30:11-12, God
had commanded Moses saying that the sons of Israel should contribute an
offering as a ransom price when they take census, so that no plague would
occur. But David who loved and meditated on the Law of the Lord neglected to
obey God’s direction while taking census. Even the people were careless about
paying a ransom price for their lives when the census was taken. Thus, David
and his subjects, both had fairly equal role in breaking the Law. Eventually as
David had hoped and trusted, God was grieved of the suffering of his people and
called off the punishment without completing the three days. Even in His rebuke
God still showed His love and mercy.
The Numbering of the Israelites. Engraving by Henri Félix Emmanuel Philippoteaux (1815–1884)
David’s mighty men
During his time as a fugitive hiding from King
Saul, David had become a sort of commander of his own private army. Some of
David’s men turned out to be legendary warriors listed in the Holy Bible. Their
names and some of their exploits and heroic feats are listed in II Samuel 23rd
& I Chronicles 11th chapter. Most of the men in David’s army did
not have a good beginning. While David was hiding from King Saul fearing for
his life, some other desperate men too joined him. All those who were in
distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and David
became their leader. This way about four hundred men joined with him. David
also had the responsibility to feed and protect them and their families! One of
the greatest feats of David was disciplining, uniting and leading such a motley
group. There is no doubt that David’s leadership skill was put to the test,
developed, refined and honed amidst his unusual team. The Holy Bible has
recorded that, day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army,
like the army of God (1 Chronicles 12:22). David did not lose anyone who came
to his side. David made mighty warriors out of the worst outlaws in society.
David’s Desire to build a Temple for God
David wished to build a permanent dwelling place
for the Ark of God, a Temple of God in Jerusalem. Until then the Ark of God was
kept in a tent called the Tabernacle. However, God
spoke to David through Prophet Nathan and told him that he is not the one to
build the Temple of God because he had shed too much blood. But his son,
Solomon would build a house for Him.
Nevertheless, David prepared the building materials for the Temple of God. David
decided the Temple built for the Lord must be very magnificent, of fame and of
glory throughout all countries. David prepared abundantly before his death. David, in his personal
capacity, also donated generously all his private treasures of gold and silver
and challenged the people to follow his example. Finally,
before his death, David called his son Solomon and charged him to build a house
for the Lord. David’s desire to build a permanent dwelling place for God to
dwell among his people was fully realized when the son of David, Jesus Christ
who is also called as “Immanuel (God with us) came down from heaven to live
among his people. Even though God did not permit David to build the Temple of
God, David’s desire and intention was accepted by God. God made eternal and
everlasting covenant with David to establish his house and throne forever,
which is also called as the Davidic covenant.
The Psalms of David
In the Book of Psalms, which is one of the most
widely read books in the Old Testament, seventy-three Psalms were written by David.
Most of these psalms contain superscriptions that tell us on what occasion he
wrote the psalm. David is associated with worship music more than anyone else
in the Holy Bible. The Bible records David playing the harp with an anointing
that the evil spirit tormenting Saul, left him and troubled him no more. David is called "the sweet psalmist of Israel" (2
Samuel 23:1).
David’s love for the Law of God
One more aspect of David that set him apart was
his love for the Law of God. In Psalm 19, David wrote, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting
the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise
the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the
heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the
eyes……More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine
gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb”. During David’s time,
they only had “the Torah” or the first five books of the Bible. In the ancient
days these were written on scrolls, and it was not something that was readily
available at home like the modern printed copies of the Bible. But the Torah
was read regularly in the Synagogue (Jewish Temple of Prayer). This is where
David would have heard the Law of the Lord. David had a unique revelation about
the Law of the Lord and the nature and character of the one who gave the Law.
God’s law revealed the nature of God, including God’s righteousness as well as
His loving kindness. David enjoyed and meditated on the law of the Lord day and
night because he loved the one who gave the Law.
The Epigraphical & Archaeological
Evidence for King David
The Tel Dan Stele is a
fragmentary stele containing a Canaanite inscription which
dates to the 9th century BCE. The surviving inscription details that an
individual killed Jehoram of Israel, the son of Ahab and
king of the house of David. This is one of the earliest and direct historical
evidences for the Kingdom of David in Israel.
The Tel Dan Inscription, Photo credit: Biblicalarchaeology.org
There is also another inscription
called the Mesha Stele, discovered by Arab Bedouins, which also mentions
"the House of David," The Moabite Stone contains an inscription by
Mesha, King of Moab, who boasts about his successful rebellion from the King of
Israel.
Mesha Steele, Photo credit: Public Domain
David – A Man After God’s Own Heart
God gave the unique testimony about David that he
was “a man after His own heart.” David was unique in that, he was an Old
Testament believer, whose life and worship foreshadowed the New Covenant. David
could equally enjoy God’s presence in the Tabernacle as well as in the desert.
In the Old Testament age, when worship was associated with rituals, sacrifices
and offerings, David had deep revelations about real worship and things
pleasing to God. David was led by the Spirit of God.
David is first mentioned
in the Bible in the Book of Ruth, where his genealogy is briefly stated at the
end. According to biblical scholars more has been
written about David than any other character in the Old Testament. In the Old
Testament there are sixty-six chapters written about David and in the New
Testament there are fifty-nine references to him. David is honoured with terms
such as “the key of David” (book of Isaiah). Jesus Christ is also called as “the
son of David and the Root of David”
Bible Reference: I Samuel,
II Samuel, I Kings 1 – 2:1 -11, I Chronicles
Memory Verse: Psalms
89: 20 - 24
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
Fill in
the blanks:
1. Ahimelech,
the priest gave David the ……………………………. bread.
2. God
spoke to David through Prophet ……………………… and told him that he is not the one to
build the Temple of God.
3. David
is called "the …………………………. of Israel"
4. David is
first mentioned in the Bible in the Book of …………………., where his genealogy is
briefly stated at the end.
Give
short answers:
1. Why did David play the harp for King Saul?
2.
After committing the sin of taking census without a ransom price, what
punishment did David choose and why?
3.
Who were David’s mighty men?
4.
Why was David called “the man after God’s own heart”?
Answer in
brief:
1. Explain David’s life as a fugitive and how it
shaped his Psalms.
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