DAVID THE SHEPHERD KING # 1

Someone once said, “As we consider the record of Bible characters, how often we find ourselves looking into a mirror. We are humiliated by the reminder of how many times we have failed.” The Bible speaks of the example we have (1st Corinthians 10:11) Considering characters from the Bible can reveal truth like nothing else. It is easier for us to understand principles of truth when we see them acted out in the lives of Bible characters. With this in mind, we are going to embark on a study of the life of David – there is written more about David than any other character in the whole Bible. 1 Cor 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Someone once said, “As we consider the record of Bible characters, how often we find ourselves looking into a mirror. We are humiliated by the reminder of how many times we have failed.” A fact sheet on David David’s name appears 1034 times in the Bible. 28 books contain reference to him (42% of the 66 books) 66 chapters tell the story of David The story of Abraham and Joseph in 14 chapters each The life of David is too important to refer to only on occasion, because there is so much of it. There is so much of David’s life we can relate to In the course of his time on earth, David was a shepherd, a musician, a songwriter, a poet, a warrior, a servant in Saul’s court, a fugitive, a king, a saint, a sinner, a lover, an adulterer, a father, a type of the Messiah, a prophet, a husband, a success, and a failure. In each of these capacities David encountered in life – he did so in much the same way we do – he struggled.

Someone once said, “As we consider the record of Bible characters, how often we find ourselves looking into a mirror. We are humiliated by the reminder of how many times we have failed.” A fact sheet on David David’s name appears 1034 times in the Bible. 28 books contain reference to him (42% of the 66 books) The life of David is too important to refer to only on occasion, because there is so much of it. David is the young shepherd who killed a giant – yet, fell prey to his own lustful impulses toward a woman. He is the king who killed thousands of men – including the righteous husband of the woman who was carrying his child. David’s life was not all success – he experienced bitter failure, and yet, his life was ultimately a glory to God. How could that be? Well, I hope that is one of the things we learn as we study the life of David

STARTING AT THE BEGINNING Ps 78:70-72 70 He also chose David His servant And took him from the sheepfolds; 71 From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands. David took the throne of Israel in about 1013 BC He was in the middle of three important kings during a period of history called the “United Kingdom” The three important kings were Saul - David - Solomon David’s story really begins, though, amid the sound, smells, and sight of the sheep pens of his father Jesse. The beginning of David’s story is told in Psalm 78:70-72 But we need to go back even farther than this if we are to understand the man and his times. In order to understand God’s calling of David, we have to go back some 40 years, beyond the calling of Israel’s first king, Saul

BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID In the period prior to Israel’s great kings, the country was on a downward slide away from God The judges that had governed Israel for some 300 years were dead Eli, a godly man, served as High Priest for a number of years and then he died, leaving two sons to take over his job who were totally unqualified for the job. The Bible says of them (1st Samuel 2:12) Apparently Eli, while a godly man himself, did not teach his sons and so pass on the faith. What about today? The sons of Eli were thieves, immoral, and caused the people to abhor the worship of God – as a result, God called for the death of Hophni and Phinehas. 1 Sam 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the LORD

BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID 1 Sam 8:1-3 And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. 3 His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice In the period prior to Israel’s great kings, the country was on a downward slide away from God . A young boy whom Eli had taught became judge – his name was Samuel Sadly, Samuel repeated the mistakes of Eli (1st Samuel 8:1-3) It has been said that the church is never more than one generation away from extinction – this is certainly true if we do not pass our faith on to our children.

BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID In the period prior to Israel’s great kings, the country was on a downward slide away from God . A young boy whom Eli had taught became judge – his name was Samuel It was at this low time that Israel began to beg for a king that they might be like the nations around about them. 1st Samuel 8:5 Samuel warned them where this desire would lead … 1 Samuel 8:18-20 … they would not listen – later this would come back to haunt them 1 Sam 8:18-20 "Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day." 19 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, "No, but there shall be a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." 1 Sam 8:5 and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations."

BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID In the period prior to Israel’s great kings, the country was on a downward slide away from God . A young boy whom Eli had taught became judge – his name was Samuel It was at this low time that Israel began to beg for a king that they might be like the nations around about them. A key to understanding some of what is written in 1 Samuel is noticing the contrast between Saul and David You see, Saul was the people’s choice, and 40 years later David would be God’s choice If you want to get a good idea as to whether it is best to insist on your own choice or God’s – contrast the outcome of the reigns of Saul and David.

BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID 1 Sam 15:10-15 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, 11 " I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands." And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all night. 12 Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul; and it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal." 13 Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, " Blessed are you of the LORD! I have carried out the command of the LORD." 14 But Samuel said, " What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" 15 Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed." 1 Sam 15:1-3 Then Samuel said to Saul, " The LORD sent me to anoint you as king over His people, over Israel; now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD. 2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. 3'Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.' 1 Sam 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID In the period prior to Israel’s great kings, the country was on a downward slide away from God . A young boy whom Eli had taught became judge – his name was Samuel It was at this low time that Israel began to beg for a king that they might be like the nations around about them. A key to understanding some of what is written in 1 Samuel is noticing the contrast between Saul and David Let’s take a look at a point in Saul’s life that closed the door on his leadership and caused God to reach out for David. This will set the stage for the life story of David. 1 Samuel 15:1-3, 9 1 Samuel 15:10-15 Saul said, “I have carried out the command of the LORD” - Had he? He blames the people Did you also notice Saul’s reference to God? He called the Almighty “LORD your God …” Saul did not have a relationship with God himself.

BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID 1 Sam 15:17-19 Samuel said, "Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, 18 and the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, ' Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated.' 19 "Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD, but rushed upon the spoil and did what was evil in the sight of the LORD?" In the period prior to Israel’s great kings, the country was on a downward slide away from God . A young boy whom Eli had taught became judge – his name was Samuel It was at this low time that Israel began to beg for a king that they might be like the nations around about them. A key to understanding some of what is written in 1 Samuel is noticing the contrast between Saul and David Let’s take a look at a point in Saul’s life that closed the door on his leadership and caused God to reach out for David. This will set the stage for the life story of David. In the next verses Samuel makes it clear to Saul that partial obedience is not considered by God as obedience 1 Samuel 15:17-19 Cafeteria religion Saul for the moment stuck with his original excuse (1 Samuel 15:20-21) 1 Sam 15:20-21 Then Saul said to Samuel, " I did obey the voice of the LORD, and went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 "But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal."

BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID In the period prior to Israel’s great kings, the country was on a downward slide away from God . A young boy whom Eli had taught became judge – his name was Samuel It was at this low time that Israel began to beg for a king that they might be like the nations around about them. A key to understanding some of what is written in 1 Samuel is noticing the contrast between Saul and David Let’s take a look at a point in Saul’s life that closed the door on his leadership and caused God to reach out for David. This will set the stage for the life story of David. In the next verses Samuel makes it clear to Saul that partial obedience is not considered by God as obedience No, Saul, you did NOT utterly destroy the Amalekites – you spared the CHIEF Amalekite, and your cover up is no good either 1 Samuel 15:22-23 God wants our obedience – not just our worship! Half hearted obedience is a big sin – Samuel called it rebellion 1 Sam 15:22-23 Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."

BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID 1 Sam 15:27-31 As Samuel turned to go,Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. 28 So Samuel said to him, " The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you. 29 "Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind." 30 Then he said, "I have sinned; but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the LORD your God." 31 So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO DAVID In the period prior to Israel’s great kings, the country was on a downward slide away from God . A young boy whom Eli had taught became judge – his name was Samuel It was at this low time that Israel began to beg for a king that they might be like the nations around about them. A key to understanding some of what is written in 1 Samuel is noticing the contrast between Saul and David Let’s take a look at a point in Saul’s life that closed the door on his leadership and caused God to reach out for David. This will set the stage for the life story of David. In the next verses Samuel makes it clear to Saul that partial obedience is not considered by God as obedience No, Saul, you did NOT utterly destroy the Amalekites – you spared the CHIEF Amalekite, and your cover up is no good either God ultimately rejects half-hearted obedience … 1 Samuel 15:26 Saul makes a lame attempt at repentance, but it proves too little, too late (1 Samuel 15:27-28 ) That “neighbor” would be a young boy, still at this time, at home with his parents in Bethlehem – David David, by the providence of God, because of the disobedient attitude of Saul, would be the next king 1 Sam 15:26 But Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel."

As we study the life of David we need to consider a couple of questions that I believe this study will address What is God looking for in us? What does it take to please God? A comparison between the lives of David and Saul gives a tremendous representation on just exactly what God wants from us. Both kings, at times, disobeyed Yet, one was accepted and the other rejected – WHY? Some years after the death of King David, God makes a statement about David that will clear up this mystery (1 Kings 14:7-8) David was not perfect But the right attitude and desire was there More than anything David wanted to do what was right - he did not always do it, for he was weak like you and me What is it that God is looking for in men and women today? What pleases Him? God is looking for people who will give Him their whole heart. God is looking for people who will surrender their whole lives to Him Are you that kind of person? 1 Kings 14:7-8 Go, say to Jeroboam, 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel, " Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel, 8 and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you — yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight;