Life of David: Discipleship Lessons from 1 and 2 Samuel

A short story account of David's defeat of Goliath, with application for our lives -- trusting in the Lord and not ourselves!

Explores how David's deceit should be considered by Christians.

Miscellaneous incidents are included: justice for the Gibeonites, David's disastrous census, and David's physical decline. David designates Solomon as his successor when Adonijah seeks to be crowned king. A final look at David's place in history and his ultimate successor, Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David.

David flees from Jerusalem, joined by loyalists. Absalom is killed by Joab and mourned by David, who returns to Jerusalem and puts down Sheba's rebellion.

David's punishment involves family troubles. Amnon rapes Tamar. Absalom murders Amnon in retaliation, then conspires to steal David's throne forcing David to flee.

David has established the kingdom and subjugated the neighboring kingdoms. But then he commits adultery with Bathsheba and murders her husband, and tries to cover it up. However, he is confronted by Nathan and finds forgiveness from the Lord and a contrite heart (Psalm 51).

David sought to build a 'house' (a temple) for the Lord, but the Lord instead promised that He would build an everlasting 'house' (a dynasty), which culminated in the Messiah. Solomon would ultimately build the temple, drawing on David's extensive preparations.

Now David seeks to make Jerusalem both the political center and the worship center of the kingdom. He brings the ark into Jerusalem -- on his second try.

David moves to Hebron where the elders of Judah anoint him king over them. Later Saul's son Ish-Bosheth is assassinated and David is anointed king over all of Israel. He captures Jerusalem, makes it his capital.

While Saul and Jonathan are slain at the battle of Gilboa, David and his men attack the Amalekites and recover their families who had been captured at Ziklag. David sends plunder to the elders of Judah.

David hides from Saul in the Wilderness, and providentially has two opportunities to kill Saul, but refuses since Saul is 'the Lord's anointed.' He also spares Nabal, takes Abigail as wife, seeks asylum from Saul with the Philistines, but is spared going into battle with Saul. Finally, Saul seeks a medium to seek guidance from Samuel, but receives condemnation instead.

David visits the tabernacle at Nob in his flight and receives help from Ahimelech the high priest. But Ahimelech and the priests are slain by the paranoid King Saul; only Abiathar flees to David with 400 might men. David and his men hide in the cave of Adullam and in the desert of Ziph.

David and Saul's oldest son Jonathan become fast friends, but Saul grows increasingly jealous of David's popularity. He seeks to kill him with his spear and at the hand of the Philistines. Jonathan warns David and the two covenant with each others.

David's bold faith contrasts with the fear and low morale of the Israelite army when they are challenged by the Philistine champion Goliath. David rejects the offer of Saul's armor, but slays Goliath with a well-placed sling stone in the name of Yahweh and cuts off his head.

Saul, previously anointed king by the prophet Samuel is rejected by God for disobedience. In his place, David, the shepherd son of Jesse, is anointed king and filled with the Spirit. David plays his harp at Saul's court to soothe the troubled king with his music.

We consider David as a musician as well as nation-builder. Examines whether David is a mythic hero or a real person and dating of David's reign. Discusses the composition and authorship of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles. Finally, examines the background of the Philistines.

Explains why we should study David's life. David's life is inspiring, human, manly, morally challenging, and ongoing in his descendant Jesus, the Son of David.