ABOUT DAVID

0. About David

a) When we think of David, we think: shepherd, poet, giant-killer, king, ancestor of Jesus - in short, one of the greatest men in the Old Testament. But alongside that list stands another: betrayer, liar, adulterer, murderer. The first list gives qualities we all might like to have; the second, qualities that might be true of any one of us. The Bible makes no effort to hide David's failures. Yet he is remembered and respected for his heart for God. Knowing how much more we share in David's failures than in his greatness, we should be curious to find out what made God refer to David as "a man after My own heart" (Acts 13:22).

b) David more than anything else, had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and forgiving nature of God. He was a man who lived with great zest. He sinned many times, but he was quick to confess his sins. His confessions were from his heart, and his repentance was genuine. David never took God's forgiveness lightly or his blessing for granted. In return, God never held back from David either his forgiveness or the consequences of his actions. David experienced the joy of forgiveness even when he had to suffer the consequences of his sins.

c) We tend to get these two reversed. Too often we would rather avoid the consequences than experience forgiveness. Another big difference between us and David is that while he sinned greatly, he did not sin repeatedly. He learned from his mistakes because he accepted the suffering they brought. Often we don't seem to learn from our mistakes or the consequences that result from those mistakes. What changes would it take for God to find this kind of obedience in you?

1. What were his strengths and accomplishments?

a) Greatest king of Israel.

b) Ancestor of Jesus Christ.

c) Listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11.

d) A man described by God himself as a man after his own heart.

2. What were his weaknesses and mistakes?

a) Committed adultery with Bathsheba.

b) Arranged the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba's husband.

c) Directly disobeyed God in taking a census of the people.

d) Did not deal decisively with the sins of his children.

3. What can we learn from his life?

a) Willingness to honestly admit our mistakes is the first step in dealing with them.

b) Forgiveness does not remove the consequences of sin.

c) God greatly desires our complete trust and worship.

4. What are the key verses?

a) ²⁸ Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. ²⁹ Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.” (2 Samuel 7:28-29 NIV)

b) David's story is told in 1 Samuel 16 - 1 Kings 2. He is also mentioned in Amos 6:5; Matthew 1:1, 6; 22:43-45; Luke 1:32; Acts 13:22; Romans 1:3; Hebrews 11:32.