David:The Shepherd King, #1
The Life and Times
of the Man After God's Own Heart
A Survey Sermon
By Dave Redick
Hwy 20 Church of Christ, Sweet Home, OR
Alan Redpath, an English Preacher, in his book, THE MAKING OF A MAN OF GOD, writes these words:
"The Bible never flatters its heroes. It tells us the truth about each one of them in order that against the background of human breakdown and failure we may magnify the grace of God ....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. Great has been our stubbornness but greater still has been His faithfulness."
I especially liked what Redpath said about the considering of the record of Bible Characters being like looking at ourselves in a mirror. That is just the way that God intended for it to be.
The Apostle Paul put this correlation between Bible characters and ourselves this way:
"Now these things happened to them [Bible Characters] as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." (I Cor. 10:11).
Considering the major and minor characters of the Bible can reveal truth like nothing else. I'm probably a whole lot like you in that when I read a principle of truth from the Scripture it is often hard for me to understand and even harder to apply to life. But when I see one of the many Bible characters acting it out in his or her life, understanding is nearly instant. I can relate. I can see an image of myself...like in Redpath's mirror.
With that potential in mind, I propose to you that we undertake a character study through the life of the most major of all the Bible Characters (major as to total volume written, that is) - David, the Shepherd King of Israel. While this is something I've long wanted to do it, I've put it off because of the magnitude of the task. Let me show you what I mean. Over the past few weeks I have been putting together a "fact sheet" on the life of David. Here are some of the things on it.
I. A Fact Sheet On David
David's name appears 1034 times in the Scripture. 28 books of the Bible contain references to him (42% of the 66 books of the Bible). You must read all or part of 66 chapters of the Bible to get an overall picture of his life. Compared to other Bible characters, that is a lot. Abraham's story is told in only 14 Bible chapters. Joseph likewise is described in 14 chapters. Jacob's story is told in 11. You understand what I mean, then, when I speak of the magnitude of the task.
Yet the life of David is too important to ignore or only refer to on occasion because there is so much of it. God's Spirit has seen fit to preserve it for us and it would be to our detriment to ignore it.
There is so much of David's life that you and I 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 a king'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, a failure. And in each of those capacities and a few that I probably didn't mention, he encountered life in much the same way you and I do - he struggled. But he won, and that is what attracts students of the Bible to his life story. He was, indeed, as the Scripture says of him, "a man after God's own heart."
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 his ten-thousands...including the righteous husband of the woman who was carrying his child.
David's life was not all success. He also experienced bitter failure - and yet, his life was ultimately a glory to God. How could that be? Well, I hope that is one thing we will learn from his life.
One author has said that David's life reminded him of a compass needle: It wiggled quite a bit from side to side, but it always returned to due north. And I have a hunch that a description like that has something in common with where you and I might be living for God. I believe you will be able to relate to David's story as we study it.
II. We'll Start At The Beginning.
David took the throne of Israel, according to the chronology given in Haley's Bible Handbook, about 1013 B.C. He was the middle of three important Kings during what is called the "United Kingdom" period of Israel's history. The three important kings were Saul, David, and Solomon.
David's story really begins though, amid the sounds and the smells and the sights of the sheep pens of Jesse, his father.
Asaph tells us in poetic style where David's story began over in Psalm 78:70 and I especially like the way the NIV puts it:
"He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob..."
But we need to back up even farther than this if we are to fully 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.
(Please open your Bible to I Samuel)
III. Background Leading Up To David
In that period prior to Israel's great kings, the country was on a long downward slide away from God. The judges who had governed Israel for some 300 years were dead. Eli, a godly man, served as the High Priest for a number of years and then he died, leaving two sons to take over his work who were totally unqualified for the job. The Bible says of them in I Samuel 2:12 -
"Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the Lord."
Apparently Eli, while a godly man himself, did not teach his sons and so pass on the faith.
That happens yet, today, by the way. Dad's, just because you are dedicated to the Lord yourself doesn't mean your sons and daughters will be if you don't teach them. The legacy you leave for this world after you are gone will be your children. Don't follow in the example of Eli. Get busy now if you are not already, teaching them to know and observe God's commandments.
The two sons of Eli pilfered from the sacrifices, coerced the worshippers who came to the tabernacle, and had sex with some of the women who worked at the doorway of the tent of meeting, and Eli did little to hinder them. As a result, God called for their death. Both the sons of Eli were killed in a battle where the Philistines defeated Israel. Eli died shortly thereafter when he fell backward off a chair and broke his neck after being told of the death of his two boys. A young boy whom Eli had adopted became the high priest. His name was Samuel. (Keep track of him because his life will figure into our consideration of David.) Samuel was the son of a godly woman named Hannah. But though Samuel served God faithfully during his lifetime, he repeated the mistake of Eli. His sons didn't know the Lord either. That sad situation is recorded in I Samuel 8:1-3:
"And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel...His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice."
It has been said that the church is never more than one generation away from extinction. And it is certainly true that if we do not pass on the faith to our children, and those children do not take up the torch where we leave off, the spiritual condition of God's people is in jeopardy.
In that day in Israel, not even the preachers were keeping their kids. It has been said that "A mist in the pulpit is a fog in the pew." Well, there was a fog in the pulpit, so it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what the condition of the pew was.
It was at that low time that Israel began to clamber for a king so they could be like the nations around them. Prior to that they had been ruled over by God through the judges.
I Samuel 8:5 records the people's words to Samuel:
"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."
Never has the reason for the NT principle of not letting the world push you into its mold been more clearly illustrated than in Israel's desire for a king to be like the nations around them. It proved to be a miserable mistake as it so often is today as well when God's people take their cues from the world rather than from the Lord.
Though Samuel warned them that such a king would bring them heartache, they wouldn't hear it. They rejected Samuel's warning. I Samuel 8:19-20:
"Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, 'No, but there shall be a king over us, that we may be like all the nations.'"
Demanding a king to be like the nations around them would bring misery on Israel for years. Ultimately, the nation would fall because of it.
The people's choice for king in that day was man named Saul, the son of Kish. Now I purposely said "the people's choice," though actually it was God who chose Saul to be the next king. Let me tell you why I referred to Saul as the people's choice.
As you read the account of Saul's anointing, you get the idea that GOD chose Saul. But the truth is, all God did was reach out and give the people exactly what they were demanding. I Samuel 8:18 says,
"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."
Apparently what we see happening in the Biblical account is God hearing their insistence on having a king to be like the nations around them, then his reaching out to pick a man who precisely matched the description of what they wanted. In other words, God gave them exactly what they insisted on: a king who would make them just like the other nations.
A key to understanding some of what is written in I Samuel is noticing the contrast between Saul and David. You see, Saul was the people's choice. Forty years later, David would be God's choice. Want to get a good idea as to whether it's best to insist on your own choice or wait on God's choice? Contrast the outcome of the reign of Saul against that of David.
Perhaps some of you singles would do well to perk up for a moment and hear what I just said. You can insist on your own choice or you can be patient and wait for someone who will meet God's qualifications. If you insist on your own way, God will probably let you do it, but then He will also let you live with the results of your choice.
You see, the Israelites in the days of Saul weren't interested in things like character and commitment to God's ways. To put it simply, they wanted someone who looked good, someone who could represent them in the public eye, someone with Charisma and a good image. They were looking on outward appearance only. If they were making their decision in our day it would be someone who would look good in front of the camera. So that is exactly what God gave them. Saul looked great, but he proved to be hollow within. Be careful what you demand from God in insisting on your own way. He may just let you have your way.
Saul had everything a good politician might need today to get elected. He was the most handsome man in all Israel, he had wealth and influence, and he had a profile that wouldn't quit. He was a full head taller than the tallest of the people - all the externals. But he didn't have a heart for God. And for that these people would pay dearly once he became king.
Saul's life is a study in itself, certainly beyond our purpose here, but let me take you to that point in his term of office 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.
(Please turn to I Samuel 15)
The Prophet Samuel had conveyed God's order for Saul to lead the army against an ancient enemy called the Amalekites. Israel was still a fledgling nation at the time, in the midst of many hostile neighbors (much like Israel today.) Samuel's orders from God were very clear: take no prisoners, take no spoil. Saul led the army into victory just as God had commanded. The army of the Amalekites was defeated. But he spared Agag, the enemy king along with some of the choicest livestock and plunder. God was not pleased with the disobedience. Had Saul done what God said? No! He dispatched Samuel to confront Saul at Gilgal. Let's pick up the story in verse 13.
(Read v. 13-15)
Did you notice Saul's blame shifting answer.
"THEY have brought them from the Amalekites, for the PEOPLE spared the best sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God..."
Did you also notice Saul's reference to God? He called God "the Lord YOUR God..." Saul had what I call the "Man Upstairs" view of God. Such a one "glad hands" the preacher whenever he sees him in order to keep "the Man Upstairs" happy. But he has no relationship with God himself. He can't because the way he lives his life keeps him from it. He holds onto the false assurance, though, that if he just keeps the preacher happy, things are alright. If he gets caught astray, he asks the preacher to "put in a good word with the Man Upstairs for me." Such a one is wasting his time. God will reject him just like he rejected Saul. You cannot appease God by appeasing his representative. It doesn't work. If you do not haave your own relationship with God you will be lost.
In the next verses Samuel makes it clear to Saul that partial obedience is not considered by God as obedience at all.
(Read v. 17-19)
Saul momentarily stuck with his original excuse.
(Read v. 20-21)
No, Saul, you did NOT utterly destroy the Amalekites. You spared the CHIEF Amalekite! And your cover up is no good either.
(Read v. 22-23)
I surely wish we had time to camp here. Samuel has said a mouthful. Notice several quick truths:
1. God Wants Our Obedience, not Just Our Worship. You and I can sing and pray in church to the point of exhaustion, but if it is just a show to cover up our willful disobedience, God is not pleased. One of the most important preparations for worshiping God is our striving to be obedient ourselves.
"to obey is better than sacrifice..."
2. Half Hearted Obedience Is A Big Sin. Samuel called Saul's half-done obedience "rebellion" and "insubordination" and he equated it with divination (witchcraft) and idolatry. God doesn't grade on a curve. Just because we live in a world that only gives lip service to God while doing what it wants, we must be aware that God does not accept such people. As a matter of fact, ultimately, He will REJECT them, just as He did Saul.
"rebellion is as the sin of divination."
3. God Ultimately Rejects Half-hearted Obedience.
"Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king."
Saul makes a lame shot at repentance, but it proves to be too little, too late.
(Read v. 27-28)
That "neighbor" would be a young boy, still at this time, at home with his parents in Bethlehem. It's our man, David. He, by the providence of God, because of the disobedient attitude of Saul, would be the next King of Israel. We will begin looking into his life next Sunday, Lord willing.
Conclusion
Until then, let's consider a question that I believe this study in the life of David will address.
What is God looking for in us? What does it take to make the grade with Him?
A comparison between the lives of Saul and his successor, David gives us a tremendous expose on just exactly what God wants from us.
When you compare the lives of the two kings, one of the puzzling things you will find is that both men, at times, disobeyed God. Yet one was accepted and the other was rejected. We've just seen a portion of Saul's disobedience. And though we haven't looked into David's life in detail yet, I don't think it is any big secret that he both committed adultery and murdered an innocent man. So just how can it be that one of them (David) gets called in Scripture, "the man after God's own heart," and the other (Saul) is utterly rejected by God? It wasn't just an issue of sin in the life vs. lack of sin in the life.
I came across a verse in my study that I believe will answer that puzzling question and give you and me something practical to take home from this introductory message.
Some years after the death of King David, God would make a statement about David in comparing him with another King of Israel, later in her history. I believe it will clear up the mystery.
(Read I Kings 14:7-8)
The king being addressed in this passage is Jeroboam, who inherited the kingdom from David's son, Solomon. (That is the significance of those words about tearing the kingdom from the household of David. God took the kingdom away from Solomon's son, Rehoboam, David's grandson.) So at the time these verses were written, both Saul and David were long dead. Two other kings had followed them.
Note the description of David as he is compared with the disobedient Jeroboam:
"...yet you have not been like my servant, David, who kept my commandments and who FOLLOWED ME WITH ALL HIS HEART, to do that which was right in my sight."
Now, we know and will soon see that David's obedience was not perfect. He sinned terribly. Yet he is commended by God here. Why? What is the reason? Look again at the verse:
"Who followed Me with all his heart, to do that which was right in my sight."
David's receiving of God's approval was not based on flawless perfection. Remember the author who compared David's life with that of a compass needle? God's approval of David was based on the condition of his heart. More than anything else in the world, David wanted to do what was right in God's sight! He did not always do it. He was weak like you and I. But it wasn't because he didn't want to.
What is it that God is looking for in men and women today? What pleases Him? He is looking for people who will give Him their whole hearts. He does not expect to find sinless perfection. If He did, then Christ's death for our sins would be meaningless!
What God is looking for are men and women, boys and girls who will surrender their hearts to Him. People who, deep down inside, more than anything else in the world, want to please Him. Men and women who, like David here, are willing to "follow Him with all their heart."
Are you that kind of person? Then He is calling you right now into a relationship with Himself. He wants to give you forgiveness for the things you have done wrong so you can have fellowship with Him. He is looking at your heart condition.
So, no matter what kind of background you may have had, no matter what you may have done to fail Him even as a Christian, He wants you, if you are willing to give Him your heart!
Let me close this message with a verse that typified David's life:
"The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart..." (I Samuel 13:14)
And that is what He is still seeking today. Are you one of those? Could you be? You could if that is what you would make up your mind to do. Give him your whole heart.
Dave Redick is Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon and Editor of The Preacher's Study. He may be reached at pstudysupport@comcast.net.
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