do your homework on king david

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Word Scramble for David Was a Shepherd Boy

This Word Scramble for David Was a Shepherd Boy will help kids remember that we can trust God to protect us when we serve and follow Him. You can also see a list of the types of free Bible activities we provide on the site, including large activities. Other related activities can be accessed via the links below.…

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David the King

This Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David the King activity will help children learn this story and the example of mercy that King David showed. You can also see a list of the types of free Bible activities we provide on the site, including large activities. Other related activities can be accessed via the links below. Keep scrolling down to…

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David and Jonathan

This Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David and Jonathan will help children learn to understand the importance of friendship and how to be a good friend to others, even when circumstances may make that difficult to do. You can also see a list of the types of free Bible activities we provide on the site, including large activities. Other…

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David Was Called As King

This Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David Was Called As King will help children understand that God has a plan for each person even if we think we are too young or unimportant. You can also see a list of the types of free Bible activities we provide on the site, including large activities. Other related activities can be…

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David and The Giant

This free Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David and Goliath will help kids realize the strength of their God and how He can conquer evil through us. You can also see a list of the types of free Bible activities we provide on the site, including large activities. Other related activities can be accessed via the links below. Keep scrolling…

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for Samuel Followed God

This Large Jigsaw Puzzle for Samuel Followed God can help children understand that God has a plan for each person even if we think we are too young or unimportant. Kids today need to know they are valued in God’s eyes and have an important place in God’s plan and His story. You can also see…

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David Was a Shepherd Boy

This Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David Was a Shepherd Boy will help kids learn about David and discover that God is able to protect and provide when we serve and follow Him. You can also see a list of the types of free Bible activities we provide on the site, including large activities. Other related activities can be…

Hidden Pictures in David the King

This Hidden Pictures in David the King activity will help children learn this story and the example of mercy that King David showed. You can also see a list of the types of free Bible activities we provide on the site, including large activities. Other related activities can be accessed via the links below.

Hidden Pictures for David and Jonathan

This Hidden Pictures for David and Jonathan activity will help children learn to understand the importance of friendship and how to be a good friend to others, even when circumstances may make that difficult to do. You can also see a list of the types of free Bible activities we provide on the site, including large activities. Other…

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King David Sunday School Lesson

The kings of israel Sunday School Bible Lessons for children

Bible Story: King David, a man after God’s own heart Scripture : 1 Samuel 16 Target Age Group: Age 9 – 11 (U.S. 3rd – 5th Grade) Learning Context: Sunday School Target Time Frame : 60 minutes Printer Friendly Bible Lesson: [print_link] this lesson plan You Can Help : Please share your feedback and suggestions to improve this children’s Bible lesson. Click here to respond

Supply List: Construction paper, markers, pens, Bibles Learning Goal: Students will learn that God sees our hearts and is looking for servants who are faithfully obeying Him in whatever task they have been given. Learning Indicator: Students creating the heart that pleases God activity will be able to identify attitudes and behaviors that please God and attitudes/behaviors that displease God. Students will demonstrate their comprehension of the lesson by participating in a game with review questions. Learning Activity #1: What’s in your heart? With this activity students will cut out a heart shape from construction paper. On one side of the heart students will write words that describe a heart that does not please God. (Lying, stealing, disobedience, cheating, bullying, etc.) On the other side students will write words that describe a heart that pleases God. (Obedient, honest, faithful, kind, serves others, joyful, etc.) Have Scriptures available to direct them to Godly attitudes. Test: Review Questions Memory Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge or wisdom.”

Bible Lesson: David-Introducing the King after God’s own heart

(This is a possible way to teach this lesson. You can leave out the story to introduce the lesson if you are limited for time.) Introduction to lesson: Billy wanted a puppy ever since he could remember. His parents told him that he needed to wait until he was old enough to care for the dog by himself. When he turned 9 he decided that he was old enough to get a dog. He talked to his parents and they told him he needed to pray for God to provide a dog that would be a perfect fit for their family. Billy thought that would keep him from getting a dog anytime soon. Instead of praying as his parents suggested he kept pestering them about letting him have a puppy now. One day on his way home from his friend’s house he saw a poster nailed to a pole that was offering free puppies. He ran home as fast as he could and asked his mom if they could go look at the puppies. She asked him if he had been praying about the puppy God wanted him to have. He told her that he hadn’t really been praying at all but wanted to see these puppies. She agreed to take him and when Billy saw the puppies he instantly wanted one. He told his mom that he really wanted the one with a white spot on his black ear. She said they would need to discuss it with his father before they made a decision. At dinner that night, Billy asked his dad about the puppy and his father asked him the same question his mother did earlier, “Billy did you pray about the puppy God wants you to have?” Billy said that he had not but he knew that this puppy was the right one for him. Billy’s parents were quiet and didn’t give him an answer. It frustrated Billy that his parents wouldn’t just say yes to this puppy he wanted so badly. Billy kept asking them to please let him have the puppy because he has always wanted one and this one was free. He kept pestering them every day and they finally agreed to let him have the free puppy. At first the puppy made Billy very happy but as the days went by he saw that the puppy didn’t like people very well. When he would take his puppy for a walk and people stopped to pet him the puppy would bark and growl. When a family came to visit Billy’s home the puppy snapped at their little girl when she tried to pet him. Billy’s parents could see that this dog was not working out for their family. They couldn’t keep a dog that was going to bite people. They told Billy that he was going to have to give the puppy away to someone who needed a guard dog because he wasn’t a perfect fit for their family. Billy was so disappointed. He wanted a dog so bad and now the one he had he couldn’t keep. What Billy didn’t realize was that his parents had given him wise advice when they told him that he should pray that God would give him a dog that would be a perfect fit for their family. Although Billy chose not to pray and ask God to give him that dog, his parents were praying for a dog for Billy. God had answered their prayers when Billy’s Dad was at work and his friend said that they had a puppy they needed to give away because the family was moving to a house that could not have pets. Billy’s dad went to see the puppy after work and saw that he was a sweet, loving, gentle puppy. He told his friend that he would speak to his wife and they would pray about it and let him know as soon as they could. After praying together, Billy’s parents felt that the Lord had answered their prayers about a puppy for Billy. They brought the puppy home and when Billy walked through the door and saw the puppy he was thrilled. The puppy ran to Billy wagging his tail and as Billy stooped down to pet him he licked his hand. Although having a puppy was a lot of work Billy really grew to love his dog. He was sweet and gentle to everyone who was near him. This little puppy taught Billy that God’s choice of a puppy was much better than his choice. He knew that from now on he needed to follow his parent’s advice and pray for God’s choice when he makes any decisions. As we have been learning about how Israel asked God for a king so they could be like the other countries we can see how King Saul is like Billy’s first puppy. Because their main reason for wanting a king was to look like everyone else, they chose a king that looked good on the outside but was rebellious and disobedient toward God. (If your class learned about Saul ask what Saul did that was disobedient to God.) Saul didn’t obey God’s commands completely and as a result of his rebellion Samuel told him that God had rejected him as the king over Israel. Samuel told Saul ( 1 Samuel 13:14 ) that God had found a man after His own heart that He had chosen to be the leader over His people. Samuel was very sad about Saul’s rebellion towards God and that he had been rejected as the leader of God’s people. Let’s turn in our Bibles to 1 Samuel 16:1 and read what the Lord tells Samuel. It would seem that after Saul had been told that he was rejected as king over Israel he would have repented of his rebellion towards God’s commands. Samuel’s response to God as he thinks of having to travel through the area where Saul lives tells us a little about Saul’s heart at this time. Read the first part of 1 Samuel 16:2 . Because Saul did not repent of his sin towards God his actions and attitudes continued to grow more wicked. Most likely he never forgot Samuel’s words that God had rejected him as king and had chosen a new king that would replace him. Saul didn’t want anyone to replace him as king so he may have kept a close eye on Samuel so that he did not choose this new king. God told Samuel to say that he is going to Bethlehem to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel was God’s servant and offering sacrifices was part of his job. Samuel obeyed God and trusted Him despite his fear of Saul. When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem he asked the elders (leaders) of the city and Jesse and his sons to get ready for the sacrifice. Let’s find out what they needed to do to get ready for the sacrifice in 1 Samuel 16:5 . A way to understand what it meant for them to consecrate themselves would be to say that they needed to prepare themselves for the sacrifice by putting on clean clothes and making sure their heart was right before God. As believers we consecrate ourselves when we come before God and confess any known sin. By confessing our sin and searching our hearts we allow Him to cleanse our hearts and prepare our hearts to meet with Him. Do you spend time allowing God to search your heart and confess any known sin before you spend time in worship and prayer? Jesse and seven of his sons came to the sacrifice. When Samuel took one look at Eliab Jesse’s oldest son guess what he thought? Read 1 Samuel 16:6 . In the Old Testament being the oldest son was a valuable position to have. The oldest son received special honor for being the firstborn. Perhaps that may have been one of the reasons Samuel thought this man was the man God had chosen. He also saw Eliab’s appearance. It wasn’t too long ago that Samuel anointed Saul a very handsome, tall man. Eliab’s appearance must have caused Samuel to think he would be a perfect fit to be king. God saw Eliab differently. Read 1 Samuel 16:7 . God saw Eliab’s heart and whatever He saw was not what God was looking for in a king. Saul was handsome on the outside but what kind of character did he have? He was disobedient and rebellious to God’s commands. His heart was not pleasing to God. A person’s character is more important than his/her outward beauty. When you choose friends what is more important to you? Is it more important that they look nice and wear fashionable clothes or do you look for character traits such as honesty, loyalty, kindness, etc.? Samuel had Jesse bring each of his sons before him. God had not chosen any of these seven sons. This must have been confusing to Samuel so he asks Jesse, “Are these the only sons you have?” Jesse had one more son but he was the youngest and he was out in the fields taking care of the sheep. Sometimes we think that God only wants to use people who seem important. David was not included in the special time with Samuel to offer the sacrifice. It would seem as though his family didn’t think he was all that important to invite. But that is not how God saw David. Remember He could see David’s heart. Samuel wanted someone to go and get David from the field and bring him to the sacrifice. He said they would not start until he arrived. David was in the field tending sheep and had no idea that on this very day he would be chosen to serve as Israel’s king. David is a good example of how to obey our memory verse for this lesson. Let’s read what it says in Ecclesiastes 9:10 . When Samuel sent for David he was found faithfully tending his father’s sheep. When you are given an assignment or a chore how would others describe how you do it? Would they say you faithfully worked on the task you were given or were you distracted by other things or just being lazy? God chooses servants to work in His Kingdom who are faithful with whatever task he/she is given to do. David was brought before Samuel. Let’s read 1 Samuel 16:12-13 . When Samuel put oil on David’s head in the presence of those who were at the sacrifice they were witnesses that David was chosen to be the king of Israel. This did not mean that David would take over the kingdom immediately but in God’s timing David would be the next king. How do you think David felt when he was chosen to be the king? How do you think his brothers might have felt that their younger brother who tended sheep was God’s choice to be the next king? Remember earlier we read that God sees the heart. God’s ways are not man’s ways. ( Isaiah 55:8-9 ) God chooses people to serve Him that have faithful, obedient hearts and it confuses people because they think that only popular, attractive, intelligent, gifted, important people should be God’s servants. ( 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 ) What do you think David did after Samuel left? How do you think he may have behaved in his home? Do you think he told his father that he no longer would take care of the sheep because he was chosen by God to be the king of Israel? God’s Word gives no indication that he behaved in a prideful manner. We can assume that he continued to live his life as he had before faithfully serving as a shepherd until God told him to do otherwise. Meanwhile we turn our attention to the present king of Israel. What was his name again? (Saul) Because he had a disobedient and rebellious heart God’s Spirit was no longer with him. Instead, he was tormented by an evil spirit. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit had not been sent into the hearts of believers. That happened on the day of Pentecost after Jesus returned back to heaven ( Acts 2 ). In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit would come upon people but didn’t stay. As believers we have received the Holy Spirit and He dwells within our hearts and will never depart as He did in the Old Testament ( Ephesians 1:13 ). With that brief explanation we can understand what happened to Saul. He chose to rebel against God and God removed His Spirit from him. If you look back at 1 Samuel 16:13 you will see that God’s Spirit had come upon David in power. God’s Spirit brings peace, comfort, courage, wisdom and power to do the things He commands His servants to do. Saul had an evil spirit that tormented him. An evil spirit would bring all the opposite feelings that God’s Spirit would bring. Saul was miserable and his servants could see that he was suffering. They suggested to him that he allow them to search for a musician that would play music to help him feel better. Let’s read 1 Samuel 16:17-23 . As a simple shepherd boy, David had a reputation. As we look at verse 18 what were things that others knew about David? (skillful in playing, brave man and a warrior and prudent in speech (NKJV) David was faithful in the day to day tasks he was given and over time his reputation was known by many people. As a result of having a good reputation in Bethlehem he was recommended to serve King Saul. What are some activities that you are involved in? Do you take piano (or another muscial instrument) lessons? Do you practice the amount of time each day that your teacher asks you to? As you faithfully practice your instrument you will become better and better and one day you may use your gift of music to serve God. Maybe you don’t take music lessons but you have homework from school. Do you do your homework with your best effort or do you hurry through it so you can do other things? It’s important to do your homework to the best of your ability so you can learn and continue to further your education. You don’t know what God’s plans for your life are right at this moment but you can trust that He has created you for good works ( Ephesians 2:10 ). Whatever task you are given you should do it to the best of your ability so you can serve God in whatever service He calls you into. David came and served King Saul. Whenever David played his harp the evil spirit would leave King Saul and he would be comforted. David knew God had chosen him to be king but he still was being faithful to do whatever God asked him to do until it was his time to be the king. This week what attitude or behavior do you need to change so you can be more like David as he faithfully served God? As we close in prayer ask God to help you to be faithful in whatever task you are given this week. Close in prayer. Review Questions: Divide class into two teams and as each team gets a correct answer they can place an x or o on a tic tac toe board.

Why was Samuel sad? (Saul was rejected as king)
What did God tell Samuel to do? (Go to Bethlehem to anoint the king He had chosen)
Why was Samuel afraid? (He thought Saul would kill him)
How did Jesse, his sons and the elders prepare for the sacrifice? (Consecrated themselves)
What does it mean to consecrate yourself? (To be clean and prepared to meet with God)
Why did God say Eliab was not going to be the king? (He sees the heart not just the outward appearance)
Where was David when his brothers and dad were at the sacrifice? (Tending sheep)
Why was Saul tormented? (He was tormented by an evil spirit)
How did Saul learn about David? (His servants had heard about his reputation of being a skillful musician, brave warrior etc.)

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16 Facts About King David

by Ryan Nelson | Jul 27, 2020 | Bible characters

King David was a shepherd boy who became Israel’s third and most important king. He’s the most frequently mentioned human in the Old Testament , and the second most frequently mentioned human in the entire Bible (only Jesus Christ is mentioned more).

David is a main character in the Old Testament books 1 Samuel , 2 Samuel , 1 Chronicles , and 2 Chronicles . He’s also mentioned in several other books, and nearly half of the Psalms are attributed to him. Today, David is most famous for being the boy who defeated a giant with a slingshot. In fact, the famous narrative of “David and Goliath” has been so prolific in literature, art, and culture that it’s become a common trope for describing other stories about underdogs. But what makes David such a significant biblical figure is his role in establishing God’s earthly headquarters in Jerusalem.

Despite his glaring flaws, the David is described as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). David was far from perfect, but his faith and zeal made him the standard against which all Israel’s future kings would be measured against.

So who was King David? What do we know about him? In this guide, we’ll cover the basic facts about who he is and what the Bible says about him.

Who was King David?

The Bible gives us a lot of information about King David. Between 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Psalms, and 1 Chronicles, you could practically write his biography! (Don’t worry, it’s been done. Many times.)

Here are some of the things we know about David.

1. David was from the tribe of Judah

The 12 tribes of Israel descended from Jacob’s 12 sons, and with the exception of Levi, each tribe controlled a specific territory within the nation of Israel. Judah was the son who “prevailed over his brothers” (1 Chronicles 5:2), and while Saul—Israel’s first king—was from the tribe of Benjamin, Judah became the tribe of kings.

Judah’s territory included the city of Jerusalem. When David became king, he established Jerusalem as the nation’s capital and God’s headquarters, permanently altering Judah’s importance in Jewish life and culture. David’s line ruled in Jerusalem for about 400 years, until King Nebuchadnezzar captured the city and broke the line of kings.

2. David was Ruth and Boaz’s great grandson

The Book of Ruth is a story of love and redemption. It uses the relationships between a man named Boaz, a woman named Ruth, and her mother-in-law, Naomi, to paint a picture of God’s compassion for Israel.

David is directly descended from Ruth and Boaz. Several passages record his lineage, and they all point out that he was the son of Jesse, who was the son of Obed, who was the son of Boaz and Ruth—making him the great grandson of this significant couple (1 Chronicles 2:12).

Redemption ran in the family. Over the course of his life, David was frequently the vehicle God used to display his compassion and redeem his people. After his death, he became a symbol of God’s unique relationship with Israel and the redemption that was still to come.

3. David was the youngest of seven sons (or he had seven brothers)

After he finished the work of creation, God rested on the seventh day and made it holy (Genesis 2:3). As a result, the number seven came to represent completion and perfection in every facet of ancient Jewish culture. We see that in the Feast of Tabernacles, which occurred for seven days on the seventh month. The year of Jubilee—when debts were forgiven and property returned to its original owners, among other things—took place after seven cycles of seven years.

The biblical authors present slightly different representations of David’s immediate family: he was either Jesse’s seventh son, or his eighth (1 Chronicles 2:13–14, 1 Samuel 16:10–11). Scholars debate whether this represents a contradiction or if one of David’s brothers was simply omitted, but that’s not the point. David was not the firstborn son—a privileged position in Judaism—and the authors were intent on working in the number seven, associating David with holiness and God’s perfect plan for his people.

4. David was from Bethlehem

Today, most people associate the little town of Bethlehem with the birth of Jesus. But centuries before Jesus, another savior came from this unassuming town. The Gospel of Luke refers to Bethlehem as “the town of David” (Luke 2:4), because it was well-known that this was David’s old stomping grounds, and it was where Samuel anointed him king of God’s people.

While modern readers tend to focus on Jesus’ birth in a manger, it’s important to consider the implications that this manger was in Bethlehem—a town the Jewish people associated with one of the biggest announcements in their history, where their most important king had his humble beginnings.

5. David was God’s “anointed one”

Most people have heard Jesus described as the messiah. But he wasn’t the only person to hold this title. In the Bible, “anointed one” and “messiah” are synonymous. God’s anointed one was the person he chose to lead and save his people. When the Israelites wanted a human king, the prophet , Samuel, anointed Saul to show that God had set him apart for this special role:

“Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance?’ —1 Samuel 10:1

Years later, when Saul disobeyed God, God rejected him as king (1 Samuel 15:26). And it was time for God to choose someone else. So he sent Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem, telling him “I have chosen one of his sons to be king” (1 Samuel 16:1).

Samuel thought he would know whom God had chosen by their appearance, and assumed the oldest, Eliab, was clearly the chosen one:

“When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’” —1 Samuel 16:6

But God told Samuel that he doesn’t use the same factors as people when it comes to choosing kings:

“‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” —1 Samuel 16:7

Earlier, Samuel had prophesied to Saul, “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command” (1 Samuel 13:14). And when Samuel laid eyes upon Jesse’s youngest son, the shepherd, David, the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

When Samuel anointed David, it didn’t instantly make him king, but it did signal that he was the Lord’s chosen one, and “from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David” (1 Samuel 16:13).

6. David was a shepherd

Before he was a king, David was a shepherd. This was why he wasn’t with his brothers when Samuel came to anoint the next king (1 Samuel 16:11). And when the Philistines (and Goliath) invaded, David was torn between his duties as Saul’s musician and his responsibilities for tending his father’s sheep (1 Samuel 17:15).

As a shepherd, David didn’t merely feed and lead his father’s sheep. While a shepherd may seem like an inconsequential position, it was still dangerous. David killed bears and lions alike to defend his father’s sheep. In fact, David cites his experience as a shepherd to convince Saul why he can defeat Goliath:

“Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” —1 Samuel 17:34–37

In his confrontation with Goliath, David would care for Yahweh’s flock—the people of Israel—and once again defend “his father’s sheep” from harm. This time, the Lord would rescue him from a foe that Saul and his entire army were terrified of (1 Samuel 17:11).

Later, David used his experience as a shepherd to create one of the most powerful portrayals of God’s relationship with his people, foreshadowing “the good shepherd” Jesus (John 10:11):

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” —Psalm 23:1–6

7. David was a musician

Many years before Samuel anointed David and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, Samuel anointed Saul, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul (1 Samuel 10:1–6). When David was anointed, the Spirit of the Lord left Saul, and an evil spirit began to torment him (1 Samuel 16:14).

Saul’s servants believed a musician would help soothe Saul whenever the spirit came to torment him. And it just so happened that David was a talented musician. So Saul had him brought in, and made him one of his armor-bearers.

“Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” —1 Samuel 16:23

From this point on, David’s duties were divided between watching his father’s sheep and playing music for the king.

8. David was a giant slayer

Perhaps David’s biggest claim to fame was his legendary showdown with the Philistine giant, Goliath. The Israelite and Philistine armies lined up on opposing hills, Goliath taunted the Israelites and challenged them to decide the battle with a duel: him against one of them (1 Samuel 17:8-11).

Nobody wanted to take him up on the offer. But David came to the Israelite camp to play music for Saul, and he heard Goliath’s taunts. He also overheard the Israelites talking about what Saul would give to the person who defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:23-27).

Goliath wasn’t just taunting the Israelites. He was defying God himself on God’s own turf. Every day Israel declined Goliath’s challenge, they conceded that their God was no match for the gods of the Philistines. David wasn’t going to let this go on any longer. After convincing Saul to let him challenge Goliath, David chose five stones and went out to meet him.

Goliath mocked him and cursed him. And then David famously replied:

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

David killed Goliath with a single stone, hurled from his sling. He beheaded Goliath and took his weapons as trophies.

The story of David and Goliath has been told so many times through literature and art that David, Goliath, and their confrontation have all become cliched symbols for underdogs, brutal antagonists, and stories of overcoming impossible odds.

But in the Bible, this isn’t an underdog story. It’s a story of faith. David’s faith would become one of his defining characteristics, and it led him to overcome countless enemies after Goliath.

9. David was a great warrior

Defeating Goliath marked the beginning of David’s life as a warrior. Wherever Saul sent David, God went with him, and he was successful. And the more successful David became, the more responsibility Saul gave him:

“Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.” —1 Samuel 18:5

But then people started to see David as greater than Saul. After the Israelites defeated the Philistines, women danced and sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” —1 Samuel 18:7

Understandably, this made Saul feel threatened by David. As David’s fame as a warrior grew, Saul feared him more and more. This fear led Saul to drive away his greatest asset. He attempted to kill David on multiple occasions, and became his constant enemy.

After Saul died in battle with the Philistines, David warred against Saul’s commander Abner, and Saul’s last son, Ish-Bosheth, whom Abner had made king of Israel.

Eventually, David became king (more on how that happened in a moment), and continued his legacy as a great warrior.

10. David was Israel’s greatest king

Despite being anointed to rule God’s people, David had a long and arduous path to kingship. Even after Saul died in combat, those loyal to him weren’t just going to hand over the kingdom to David. Remember, Saul was anointed, too. And David had been living with and fighting for the Philistines—the Israelites sworn enemies.

When Saul died, the tribe of Judah anointed David as their king (2 Samuel 2:4), but Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, made Saul’s son Ish-bosheth king over all Israel. So there were two kings and two kingdoms: Ish-bosheth became the second king of Israel, and David ruled Judah.

Unfortunately for Ish-bosheth, his reign was short-lived. And while he and Abner were at war with David the whole time he was in power, Ish-bosheth didn’t die by David’s hand.

Both Ish-bosheth and Abner were murdered. Abner was murdered out of revenge, and David cursed his killers and mourned his death. Ish-bosheth was murdered by Israelites who seemed to be trying to earn David’s favor. When they came to David with their “good news,” he had them executed for their crime.

With Saul’s family out of the picture, Israel’s elders met with David and anointed him king over all of Israel when he was thirty years old (2 Samuel 5:3-4).

During Saul’s reign, Jerusalem was captured, and the Ark of the Covenant was in Judah. When David became king, he retook the fortress of Zion (which became known as the City of David), conquered Jerusalem, and returned the Ark to the city.

As king of Israel, David won numerous battles and made Israel a formidable nation, expanding its territory and military might, all while pointing his people to God.

11. David committed adultery with Bathsheba

When his armies were out waging war without him, David walked along the roof of his palace and saw a beautiful woman bathing. He sent someone to find out about her, and learned she was married to Uriah the Hittite—one of his best soldiers (2 Samuel 23:39).

Now, this was hundreds of years before Jesus said looking at a woman lustfully was committing adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:27-28), but at this point it was pretty clear to David that this was not a relationship he could pursue. The Torah had a thing or two to say about adultery (Leviticus 18:20, Deuteronomy 5:18, Exodus 20:14), and it was punishable by death (Deuteronomy 22:22, Leviticus 20:10).

David knew all that, but he sent for her anyways, slept with her, and got her pregnant (2 Samuel 11:4-5). When David learned she was pregnant, he hatched a scheme to hide his sin: since her husband Uriah was away at war, David had him brought back home. If Uriah slept with her, then no one could say he was the one who got her pregnant.

But it didn’t work out that way. After David’s repeated attempts to get Uriah to spend time with his wife, Uriah told him:

“The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” —2 Samuel 11:11

So, to hide his sin, David committed another one.

12. David plotted to have Uriah killed

David killed a lot of people in battle. He killed a lot of prisoners after battles. And he executed plenty of criminals. But one killing in particular “displeased the Lord” (2 Samuel 11:27). When David couldn’t get Uriah to sleep with his wife Bathsheba (and therefore conceal David’s adultery), he plotted to have Uriah killed in combat.

“In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”

So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.” —2 Samuel 11:14-17

In order to have Uriah killed in battle, Joab had to sacrifice some of David’s other men, and Joab feared David would be angry for the waste (2 Samuel 11:20). But David was rather indifferent. He told Joab’s messenger:

“Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.” —2 Samuel 11:25

The lives of God’s people were simply collateral damage in David’s effort to cover up his sin.

Once Uriah was dead and Bathsheba had time to mourn him, David married her, and she gave birth to a son.

Later, the prophet Nathan rebuked David for his sin. Nathan told a story about a rich man who stole a prized lamb from a poor man. David condemned the man in the story, unaware that it was a metaphor for what he’d done to Uriah with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-10). Nathan told David that “the Lord has taken away your sin” (2 Samuel 12:13), but he also cursed him, and the son who came from David’s adultery died.

David committed a grave sin. But after his encounter with Nathan, David wrote Psalm 51, which reflects his humility and sincere repentance for what he’d done.

13. David was a man after God’s own heart

Before he anointed David, the prophet Samuel rebuked Saul and warned him “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). David is the only person referred to this way in the Bible. But the Bible doesn’t explicitly tell us what Samuel meant by this. It’s possible that he simply meant David cared about the things God cared about. It’s also possible that we learn something of the character of God through the character of David.

In Acts 13:22, Paul appears to give an explanation:

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”

It appears that Samuel called David “a man after God’s own heart” because of his obedience. But it’s also worth noting: God forbid David from building his temple because he had shed blood (1 Chronicles 28:3). So there seems to be some discrepancy between David and God’s heart.

14. David lived around 1,000 BC

The Bible doesn’t explicitly say when David lived, but many scholars believe he existed around 1,000 BC. A stone inscription known as the Tel Dan Stele dates from the late ninth or early eighth century BC, and it refers to the “House of David.” Another inscription from around 840 BC (the Moab Stele), may refer to David as well. Parts of 1 and 2 Samuel were written as early as the seventh and sixth centuries BC, likely using earlier accounts as sources.

15. David had (at least) eight wives

David had numerous wives and concubines. The Bible names eight wives, but it’s possible he had more. They are:

Ahinoam of Jezreel
Abigail (the widow of Nabal of Carmel)
Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur
Michal (daughter of Saul)

The Bible doesn’t give a comprehensive list of David’s wives, but 2 Samuel 3:2-5 tells us the names of his sons as well as six of his wives, and he marries Michal (1 Samuel 18:27) and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:27) in other passages.

16. David wrote about half the Book of Psalms

David was a talented musician. But he also put his God-given creativity to work as a songwriter. Throughout the Old Testament narrative, we see David write laments and songs to commemorate important moments and express deep emotions, such as when he learns that Saul and Jonathan died (2 Samuel 1:19-27).

According to the Masoretic Text (based on ancient Jewish tradition), David wrote 73 out of the total 150 Psalms. The Septuagint (an early great translation of the Old Testament) and the Latin Vulgate (a fourth-century Latin translation of the Bible) include additional Psalms, and bring the number attributed to David closer to 85.

While Psalms is often (mistakenly) assumed to be the biggest book of the Bible , David actually didn’t write that much of the Bible in comparison to authors like Moses , Ezra, Luke , Jeremiah, and Paul . They each wrote at least 32,000 words, and the entire book of Psalms is only 30,000!

Here are the 73 Psalms attributed to David, according to Jewish (and Protestant) tradition:

Psalm 3	Psalm 4	Psalm 5	Psalm 6	Psalm 7	Psalm 8	Psalm 9
Psalm 11	Psalm 12	Psalm 13	Psalm 14	Psalm 15	Psalm 16	Psalm 17
Psalm 18	Psalm 19	Psalm 20	Psalm 21	Psalm 22	Psalm 23	Psalm 24
Psalm 25	Psalm 26	Psalm 27	Psalm 28	Psalm 29	Psalm 30	Psalm 31
Psalm 32	Psalm 33	Psalm 34	Psalm 35	Psalm 36	Psalm 37	Psalm 38
Psalm 39	Psalm 40	Psalm 41	Psalm 51	Psalm 52	Psalm 53	Psalm 54
Psalm 55	Psalm 56	Psalm 57	Psalm 58	Psalm 59	Psalm 60	Psalm 61
Psalm 62	Psalm 63	Psalm 64	Psalm 65	Psalm 68	Psalm 69	Psalm 70
Psalm 86	Psalm 101	Psalm 103	Psalm 108	Psalm 109	Psalm 110	Psalm 122
Psalm 124	Psalm 131	Psalm 133	Psalm 138	Psalm 139	Psalm140	Psalm 141
Psalm 142	Psalm 143	Psalm 144	Psalm 145

Most of the Psalms David wrote are laments, giving us intimate portraits of his darkest moments. But David also wrote Psalms of praise and thanksgiving, and frequently declared his trust in the Lord in spite of his circumstances.

An imperfect messiah

It’s fitting that David is such a prominent figure in the Old Testament. Because as an imperfect human, anointed by God to save and rule his people, David lays the foundation for Jesus Christ—the only sinless human, whom God would use to save and rule all of humanity.

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34. King David

Lesson prep, background scripture (read 2-3 times during the week).

2 Samuel 1-8

Story Summary

We have been learning about David for several lessons now. We learned how he was anointed as King of Israel by Samuel after Saul began to disobey God. We learned how David defeated Goliath and the Philistines. We learned about how David wrote songs (called Psalms). David was also a very important King of Israel.

The War Between Saul and David

After Saul died, there was still a battle between the house of Saul and the followers of David. At first, David was made king just over the tribe of Judah, and Saul's son, Ish-bosheth (crazy name, huh?) was made King over the rest of Israel by the followers of Saul. There was a long war between the followers of David and Saul, but David and his followers kept getting stronger and stronger until eventually David won and was anointed King of all of Israel (all 12 tribes). There are a lot of details in 2 Samuel 1-4 about that series of events, and you can teach them at your discretion.

David Becomes King over Judah and Eventually all of Israel

David was 30 years old when he became King and he served 40 years altogether (7 1/2 years over just Judah and the rest of the time over all of Israel). He ruled from a town called Hebron when he was just King of Judah. But after he was made King over all Israel, they conquered a city called Jerusalem by driving out the Jebusites and the Philistines. This city became known as the "City of David".

David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem

David also gathered a large group of men to go and move the ark to Jerusalem to have it be the center of Israel again. Remember what happened to the ark just a generation before this? See 1 Samuel 4 - Eli (the one who brought up Samuel in the house of the Lord, who anointed David king over Israel) and his sons lost the ark to the Philistines in a battle (when they were both killed). Then, in 1 Samuel 6-7, we learn that the Israelites regained the ark about 7 months later after God continued to punish the Philistines for taking it, and they kept it in the house of Abinadab for the next 70 years. David wanted the ark to regain its prominence.

As they were bringing the ark into Jerusalem, it almost fell off the cart they made for it and a man named Uzzah reached out and touched it to keep it from falling. But God had given them strict instructions on how to carry it (using poles, not a cart) and told them not to touch it. God killed Uzzah as a punishment. God was very serious about how the Israelites worshiped him. After that the Israelites used the poles to carry the ark as they had been commanded from the beginning.

God's Promise to David

This inspired so much joy, in 2 Samuel 6:13-23, we see some of the most passionate worship in the Bible as David leads the Israelites in dancing, music, offerings, sacrifices, and shouting. David felt guilty that he lived in a nice house, but the ark of the covenant was still being housed in a tent (the tabernacle). So David wanted to build a more permanent house for the ark of the covenant. But before he did so, God turned the tables on him. Essentially, God tells David: "Don't worry about a house for me. I haven't needed one yet." And God begins to give David a covenant, or a promise, that he would 1) give him rest from enemies, 2) build a house for David, and 3) establish a kingdom from his offspring forever. This is clearly a foreshadowing of Jesus, who was in the line of David, establishing a kingdom and a throne that lasts forever.

So David continued to have success militarily (especially against the Philistines) and he built Israel into a great nation.

What You Will Need

Video options.

From Crossroads Kids Club

From Life Kids

Resource Sheet

This coloring sheet depicts David celebrating as they brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem

1. Warm Up get your kids talking and engaged

What city were you born in? Did they name that city after you? Today, we are going to learn about when David was king and the city that became called the "City of David"

2. Teach the Story teach a holistic story

Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.

For older children, read story straight from the Bible or tell the story yourself.

3. Bible Mastery give them basic Bible skills

Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud 2 Samuel 5:1-7; 5:17-21; 6:1-7; 7:8-16

4. Comprehension Questions make sure they understand the story

First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?

What tribe was David king over first?
Who was king over the rest of Israel?
Ishbosheth, Saul's son
Who won the war between the followers of Saul and the followers of David?
The followers of David
How long was David King of Israel?
7 1/2 years over Judah and 33 years over all of Israel - 40 years total
Who did David have to drive out of Jerusalem?
The Jebusites and the Philistines
What was Jerusalem also called?
The City of David
What did David bring to Jerusalem that he and all of Israel celebrated?
The Ark of the Covenant
What was God's promise to David?
That he would be at rest from his enemies, that God would establish a house for David and that his offspring would rule Israel forever

5. Faith Questions open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer

God promised that he would establish David's kingdom forever. He did this in the person of Jesus.
Have you asked Jesus to be the King of your life?

6. Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart

Reinforcement activities, craft box ark of the covenant, activity instructions.

Paint craft boxes gold.
Attach a strip of gold trim around top with fabric glue.
Print 2 gold angel outlines onto card stock
Place them facing toward each other, on top of box by making a crease in bottom of card stock to create a stand.

Cardboard box Ark of the Covenant

Decorate box
Make holes in bottom of box to put sticks through.
Place clay tablets (made in lesson 19) inside box.
Save this craft to use in future lessons.

Paper Ball War

David's followers were in battle against Saul's followers after David became king of Judah. Saul's son was king over the rest of Israel.
Place a masking tape line in middle of play space.
Place a bunch on balled up pieces of paper on the masking tape line (number depends on the amount of children you have. You want to have 3 or 4 times the amount of paper balls as you have students)
Divide class into two teams, David and Saul.
One team goes on each side of the masking tape.
Set timer for 3 minutes.
When you say go, students run to the paper balls and throw them to the other side.
The object is to have more paper balls on the other team's side when the time is up.

Paper Plate Crown

Fold the paper plate in half.
Cut it like a pizza. Most of the cuts you can do while the paper plate is folded. Do not cut all the way through. Cut it up to the ruffle edge of the plate.
You will need to open up the paper plate to make the final two cuts.
They can color the paper plate however they want to create the look of their crown.
The kids can glue the verse on the edge of the plate.
To make the crown part stand up, the kids can just fold them up into place.

David, David Where is the ark?

The ark of the covenant had been captured by the Philistines and later returned to the Israelites.
David wanted to return the ark of the covenant to a place of prominence for the Israelites. He had it brought to Jerusalem.
Play like doggie, doggie, where is your bone or hot and cold.
Choose one student to be "it".
Secretly, give the ark of the covenant to one of the students to hide in their lap.
Have "it" try and guess who is hiding the ark.
Hide the ark in the room and tell the students they are cold if they are far and hot if they are close to where the ark is hidden.
Students can hold hands and move around as a group (if have a small class) or take turns looking for the ark.
Divide the class into 2 teams and have them play tug of war.
Name one team "David" and the other team "Saul"
The first time you have them play, stack the deck with more kids, and even the teacher on the "David" team and then a smaller number of kids on the "Saul" team.
When the kids complain (and you know they will complain), you can remind them that because of Saul's disobedience, God had taken the kingdom of Israel away from Saul and had anointed David. So God was on David's side, and that's why David's house won the battle.

City of David

Use the internet to find towns and cities around the world that are named after your students.
If you cannot find a city or town, look for street names.

Jesus' Genealogy

Continue a genealogy of Jesus.
Begin with Boaz and Obed from Ruth.
Then add Jesse and David from this lesson.

David fights for all of Israel /Ishboseth is made

This section is a lot of fun to watch the kids do. After Saul's death David is crowned King of Judah and Ishboseth gets the rest of the land. These 2 chapters deal with how the events happened. I made a map of the divided Israel and noted all of the locations of the battles. Then had the kids to pair up and let them move the pieces around as we read each part. Because there are so many lessons in the life of David , its best to have note cards with names and events to help the kids keep them running with the bible story . The more hands on they can be the better they can learn and the more they will retain. This was one of their favorite lessons

Old Testament

1. Creation
2. Adam & Eve
3. Noah
4. Tower of Babel

Father Abraham

5. Abram's Call
6. Abraham, Sarah & Isaac
7. Isaac & Rebekah
8. Jacob & Esau
9. Joseph
10. Jacob's family becomes the Israelites
11. Baby Moses
12. Burning Bush
13. Plagues
14. Passover: The plague of the firstborn
15. The Exodus

In the Desert

16. Desert - Manna, Quail & Water from Heaven
17. Moses Lifts His Hands to Heaven
18. Mount Sinai & Ten Commandments
19. The Golden Calf
20. Tabernacle & Ark of the Covenant

The Promised Land

21. The Land of Canaan & The 12 Spies
22. A Talking Donkey
23. Rahab
24. Joshua & Crossing the Jordan
25. Jericho
26. Deborah & the Judges
27. Gideon
28. Samson
29. Ruth
30. Samuel
31. Saul
32. David's Anointing & Goliath
33. Psalms: David's Songs
34. King David
35. Solomon & Building the Temple
36. Divided Kingdoms
37. The Boy King Josiah
38. Elijah
39. Burning Altar on Mount Carmel
40. Elijah & Elisha
41. Elisha's Ministry
42. Naaman is Healed
43. Jonah
44. Major & Minor Prophets
45. Assyrian & Babylonian Exile
46. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
47. Daniel
48. Esther
49. Rebuilding Jerusalem

New Testament

Jesus is born.

50. Angels Foretell the Birth of Jesus
51. Bethlehem
52. Shepherds Visit Jesus
53. Wise Men Worship Jesus

Jesus Begins His Ministry

54. Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
55. John Baptizing
56. Jesus Tempted in the Desert
57. Jesus Turns Water into Wine
58. Jesus Calls His Disciples
59. Parable of the Sower
60. Parable of the Good Samaritan
61. Parable of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin
62. Parable of the Lost Son
63. Parable of the Hidden Treasure & Pearl of Great Price
64. A Paralyzed Man is Healed
65. Jesus Calms the Storm
66. Jesus Feeds the 5000
67. Jesus Walks on Water
68. A Blind Man Sees
69. Jesus Heals the Ten Lepers
70. The Transfiguration
71. Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead

Jesus Ministers

72. Nicodemus
73. Sermon on the Mount
74. Mary & Martha
75. Zacchaeus

Preparing for the Crucifixion

76. Mary Anoints Jesus with Perfume
77. Entry into Jerusalem
78. Jesus Clears the Temple
79. A Widow's Gift

Crucifixion and Resurrection

80. The Last Supper
81. Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
82. Gethsemane
83. Crucifixion
84. Jesus is Alive!
85. Jesus Appears to His Disciples
86. The Great Commission

The Early Church

87. The First Church
88. Peter and John Heal a Crippled Beggar
89. Jesus' Followers are Persecuted
90. Stephen
91. Philip and the Ethiopian

The Church Grows

92. Paul's Conversion
93. Peter & Cornelius
94. Paul's Mission
95. Paul & Silas in Prison
96. Paul Writes Letters to Churches
97. John's Vision of the End Times

Woah, there Nelly!

You should select some Reinforcement Activities to use first before printing!

Start your lesson planning by reading the "Lesson Prep" section about 5 days before you are scheduled to teach.

Background Scripture

While we provide a summary of the story, we strongly encourage you to read the story directly from the Bible from yourself. God's word is powerful (much more powerful than our summary is!) and you should know the story well before you teach it. We encourage you to read the background scripture 2-3 times during the week before teaching.

We provide a "Cliff's Notes" version of the story to help you see the big picture. Also, if you are not using a storybook Bible, you can use this summary as an outline for your own teaching in class.

We place everything you might need to prepare for the actual story telling here (this doesn't include Reinforcement Activity supplies, because we don't know which ones you will choose!). This may include a snack suggestion if there is one that goes well with the story, props you might use in teaching the lesson, and the coloring sheet that goes with each lesson.

This section helps you structure your teaching time.

This is a question that goes along with the story for the day. This is designed to get your kids talking and to build a connection with them.

2. Teach the Story

This is the most important part of the lesson. Use all the creativity you have to tell the story in an engaging, and interesting way. Use props. Be sensitive to the age of your children and tell the story in a way they can understand.

We always encourage you to use a Bible storybook if you have one available ( here is a list of ones we know about )

3. Bible Mastery

If you would like to have your students read out of the Bible themselves, these are good verses to do it. We recommend they do this after you teach the story, however, and certainly not as a substitute for you teaching a holistic story. While it is a good thing that kids get used to reading out loud and reading the Bible for themselves, elementary-aged children do not typically have the reading skills necessary to be able both read out loud and comprehend at the same time. Also, it is difficult for the other students to really understand what they are hearing. So teach the lesson first, then let them read the Scripture out loud.

4. Comprehension Questions

These questions can help you ensure your students understood the story. Also, use this time to take the topic where the students want to go. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to them what truths he wants them to learn from the story, and help them understand how this story can be applied to their lives. Keep in mind that elementary school children are rarely capable of abstract thought, so don't boil it all down to a simplified principle for them. But let the Scripture and the Holy Spirit speak to them and be sensitive to where the conversation can go.

5. Faith Questions

These questions help the children think about how this story applies to their own life today. Keep in mind that only your oldest elementary school children will be able to think in abstract terms, but you can ask some basic questions that will hopefully open up a conversation about what the children believe. By the prompting of the Holy Spirit in response to His Word, you can encourage your children to surrender their lives to God and present the Gospel to them. Also, feel free to share your own faith experiences with them (being careful not to delve into "adult" struggles, like marriage, sexual sin, etc).

6. Memory Verse

We typically include a memory verse every 4 or 5 lessons, so you can work for several weeks on the same verse. Feel free to give out rewards to the students who successfully memorize the Scripture.

Use reinforcement activities to help your students remember the story. These activities are not just crafts and games.

Preparation

Every activity has a Scripture that helps you see the tie-in from the activity to the story. Make sure to help the students see the tie-in so they don't think you are just playing a random game.

What to do when a child asks a question and you don't know the answer

Children naturally have questions. And sometimes, we don't know the answer! Here's what to do*:

Ask the child to say more about their question.
Ask them what they think the answer may be. Perhaps they have the right answer and they just need confirmation.
Pose the question to the whole class and see what discussion ensues.
If all else fails, tell them that you don't know the answer (this is okay!) and that you will get back to them next week, but only if they will also think about it and do some research during the week as well. For younger students, you might write down their question on a piece of paper and send it home with them. But above all, follow up with the student the next week or at the next opportunity and continue your discussion with your newfound information.

Using Videos

Just wanted to point out here that you should follow all copyright laws when it comes to using videos.

Even if a video is on YouTube, that doesn't mean it is available for you to show in a group setting automatically.

Check with the video publisher for usage restrictions, whether you need to pay for a license to show a video, etc.

We include these videos as options for you to consider and for your own personal study.

Ministry To Children

The Story of King David Lesson

Sometimes it’s hard to see what God wants to do through our lives in the midst of struggles, but King David certainly knew where to put his trust! This is the sixth lesson in the series teaching kids how God used ordinary people in the Old Testament to fulfill his plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Kids will be encouraged by God’s desire to use them AND their families for his purposes. Also, a fun scratch craft will remind them to be “after God’s own heart!”

TARGET AGES: 9 – 13 Older Elementary. You may need to simplify this lesson when working with younger children.

CURRICULUM UNIT: This lesson is part of the Who was …. ? series on major Bible characters.

OBJECTIVE: To help the children understand that God had a special plan for King David’s family, and he has a special plan for our families too!

MAIN IDEA: David trusted God for protection and deliverance from enemies. David was “a man after God’s own heart,” and he held a pivotal role within the family line that God would one day use to provide salvation through Jesus Christ.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES: 1 Samuel 15:20-26, 16:10-12, 31:1-6, 1 Chronicles 18:1-6, Psalm 21:1-7

Suggested MATERIAL(S): Magic Color Scratch Hearts (from Oriental Trading)

——————————————————————————————————————-

Introduction (5 minutes)

OPENING PRAYER: “God, thank you for having a special plan for each of us! Help us learn from David by choosing obedience to your specific will for each of our lives. Amen.”

ICEBREAKER REVIEW: Say, “Last week we learned about a woman who became the great-grandmother of King David. Who remembers her name (Ruth)? What happened in her life (famine, became a widower, left her country to live with Naomi, met Boaz, married Boaz and had a son)?” Emphasize that God loves to use families even though we are imperfect. We should strive to obey him no matter what obstacles we face.

Lesson (20 minutes)

Tell the students that today’s lesson is about King David. Ask, “What do you know about King David?” List their answers on the board (such as his defeat over Goliath). Explain that David was the second king of Israel after King Saul had been rejected by God because he had consistently disobeyed God. Read 1 Samuel 15:20-26 . Comment, “God then told the prophet Samuel that David would be the next king. Let’s read 1 Samuel 16:10-12. ” Discuss how David served King Saul as an armor-bearer and musician before taking over the kingship ( 1 Samuel 16:21-23) , but Saul was jealous of David’s favor and tried several times to kill him. However, Saul killed himself after being in battle with the Philistines, and David became king. Read 1 Samuel 31:1-6.
Say, “David became king and was called, ‘a man after God’s own heart ( 1 Samuel 13:14 )’. He soon established himself as a wise leader both in his dealings with people and in battle.” Read 1 Chronicles 18:1-6 and Psalm 21:1-7 . Discuss the various battles the Lord allowed David to win and David’s appropriate response (rejoicing in God’s strength and trusting only in him).
Comment, “David was truly ‘a man after God’s own heart,’ but he still had trouble in his life.” Briefly discuss the adultery incident with Bathsheba ( 2 Samuel 11-12 ). Also discuss the story involving his children Amnon, Tamar and Absalom ( 2 Samuel 13 ) and Absalom’s conspiracy to take over the throne ( 2 Samuel 15-18 ). Help the children understand that in spite of the family conflicts, God still chose to use David. Say, “David belonged to the tribe of Judah, the same tribe as Jesus! We can find comfort in the truth that God wants to use us for his good purposes even though we aren’t worthy of his blessings.” Explain why Jesus’ birth was so important, and share the gospel with the class to give the children an opportunity to believe in him.

A Kid After God’s Own Heart: Craft (15 minutes)

Purchase the Magic Color Scratch Hearts from Oriental Trading. Comment, “David was ‘a man after God’s own heart,’ which means he deliberately tried to please God through faithful obedience.” Explain to the children that they will be decorating hearts to remind them to also follow God with deliberate obedience. Show the children how to use the tools to scratch designs on their hearts. Encourage them to also write words (e.g. love, serve, obey) to remind them of the day’s lesson.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

RECAP: David wasn’t perfect, but he desired to please and obey God. We learn from David’s life that mistakes are costly, but God mercifully uses us for his glory anyway!

CLOSING PRAYER: “Lord, thank you for David’s example of trust and obedience. Help us to be ‘after [your] own heart’ like David and serve you with all of our strength. Amen.”

Who was …. A Study on Bible Characters

This lesson is part of a 14 unit curriculum for older children (age 9 – 13) that introduces major characters in the Bible.

The Story of Abraham: Bible Lesson for Children’s Church

The story of exodus lesson, the story of ruth lesson, the story of jeremiah lesson, the story of peter lesson, 2 thoughts on “the story of king david lesson”.

Thank you for sharing. Powerful message. You are doing an excellent job. God bless you and your family.

thank you so much. I am just 17 years old and was pilled up on so much homework i forgot to prepare a lesson for my kids. this is a powerful message and i know my kids are going to love it. thank you! and God bless you!

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FREE 🎒 Back To School Lesson FREE 📩 30-minute Sunday School lessons

God Looks at the Heart and Chooses David to be King (1 Samuel 16) Sunday school Lesson

Too often we judge things by what we see. In spite of efforts to instill broad acceptance and understanding in kids, it’s hard to fight the natural human tendency to base our thoughts on appearance. In this lesson, we see a new king selected by God, and a reminder of what God cares about most.

These Bible lessons are designed for children’s church or Sunday School. Please modify as best fits your ministry. Use the links below to download these teaching activities for your children’s ministry. The “complete” lesson includes teaching plan, object lesson, craft ideas, and a coloring page.

Bible Story Video

Object Lesson / Children’s Message

Modern culture places a lot of emphasis on outward appearance. When we look around at what is celebrated and “idolized”, it seems as though looks are most important. For kids, it’s easy to judge things based on what they look like. However, as we explore the story of David being anointed king, we recognize that God looks at our hearts, rather than what we are on the outside. It’s critical to communicate to children from early on that our looks are not nearly as special as who we are on the inside. This message provides a simple object lesson to demonstrate that superficial elements fade, but what’s inside counts more.

Craft Demonstration

It’s easy for kids (and adults!) to judge things based on outer appearances or to consider them the most important element of who we are. However, we know from the Bible that God looks at heart attitude and intent, not at the outer trappings. These crafts celebrate the anointing of David by Samuel. God had to guide Samuel to His choice of Jesse’s sons rather than the most impressive-looking one. The craft highlighting the importance of inner beauty is a collage card, which could be used as a decorative reminder or something to give away. To recount the life of David, a mobile is suggested to review events of the king’s life.

Sunday School Coloring Pages

This free coloring page illustrates several of the important life events of David. From his humble beginning as a shepherd boy, to his anointing as King of Judah. The overall theme is “God chooses and grows David.”

Samuel anoints David
Description	1 Samuel 16:12-13 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Related Sunday School Activities:

Crown him lord…on the last sunday of the “church calendar” year, we celebrate that jesus christ is the king. this may not be a widely honored holiday, but is a special time to remember that jesus rules over all things,..., this lesson emphasizes where true power comes from. we might try to be confident in our own abilities, and often fall flat. we need god for anything and everything that we do. sometimes we face challenges and feel weak, and..., this week we’re teaching kids about putting on the armor of god from ephesians 6:10-20. use the free lesson downloads below to share this powerful truth with your children’s ministry group. the first lesson includes all the crafts and coloring..., god’s protection is a vital sunday school lesson that every child should learn. our free pdf teaching resource below include engaging activities, crafts, bible stories, and object lessons that will teach your kids about the power of god’s protection. plus,..., leave a comment.

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Say Kaddish

The Many Faces of King David

David was a warrior and an artist, a lover and an adulterer — and also Israel's greatest king.

By Andre Lemaire

The Bible tells the story of David’s reign in detail (1 Samuel 16 to 1 Kings 2:11), reflecting its importance as well as its length. David “reigned over Israel for forty years, seven and a half in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem” (c. 1009/1001-969 B.C.E.). His long reign was later regarded as Israel’s “golden age”; David himself was seen as the model king.

David’s later glorification may seem paradoxical in light of the fact that he was a Bethlehemite, from the tribe of Judah, and not from any of the original, northern tribes (Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin). Furthermore, David was one of Saul’s adversaries, who had been banned because he was considered the personal enemy of the first Israelite king. Moreover, at the time of Saul’s death, David was serving as a mercenary in the army of the Philistines, Israel’s bitter enemy.

David and Saul

According to 1 Samuel 16:1-13, David was the youngest son of Jesse. The prophet-priest Samuel “anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.”

The Bible offers two accounts of how David became part of Saul’s household. In the first, Saul takes David into his service as his “armor-bearer” (1 Samuel 16:14-23). In the second version David, having killed the Philistine champion Goliath in single combat (1 Samuel 17), is officially presented to Saul as a hero. The biblical account of David’s rise to power may well represent an amalgamation of different traditions concerning the early relationship between David and Saul.

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In any event, with the support of his friend Jonathan (Saul’s son), David was “made…a commander of a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the army. David had success in all his undertakings; for the Lord was with him: (1 Samuel 18:13-14.).

A War Between Their Houses

This happy situation did not last. David was soon accused of conspiring against Saul (1 Samuel 22:8). David decided it would be prudent to flee to the hill country […] After some time hiding in various locations throughout Judah as Saul pursued him, David sought refuge in Philistine territory […] During this period David tried to maintain good relations with the leaders of the territory of Judah by fighting Judah’s enemy, the Amalekites (1 Samuel 27:8, 30:1-31). His efforts proved fruitful. After Saul’s death at the battle of Mt. Gilboa,

David went to Hebron in the territory of Judah and his two wives also, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David brought up his men who were with him, every one with his household; and they dwelt in the towns of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. (2 Samuel 2:2-4)

A long war ensued between the house of Saul and the house of David (2 Samuel 3:1). But in the meantime, a disagreement soon split Abner [commander of Saul’s army] and Ishbosheth (Eshbaal) [Saul’s son]. Both of them were killed, apparently as a result of personal vengeance (2 Samuel 3-4). The way was open for David to become king of all Israel […]

King David, the Warrior

The Philistines could no longer remain indifferent in the face of the unification of their longtime enemy. They attacked twice in the central hill country… But David defeated them both times ( 2 Samuel 5:17-25). The Philistines then gave up their efforts at military expansion.

After driving off the Philistines, David was free to attack the Jebusites of Jerusalem and take the city which until then had remained in Canaanite hands. “And David dwelt in the stronghold [of Jerusalem] and called it the City of David” (2 Samuel 5:9).

King David, the Yahwist

Jerusalem soon became not only the political capital of Judah and Israel, but also the religious center of all Israel. To accomplish this, David brought the Ark of the Covenant to the City of David (2 Samuel 6). This was the Ark that, according to tradition, had accompanied Israel in the Sinai, that had rested in the tabernacle at Shiloh before being captured by the Philistines and that had remained in storage at Kiriath Yearim after being returned by the Philistines. When David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, the religion of Yahweh became a unifying factor, strengthening the bond between Judah and Israel.

From the beginning of his career, David showed himself to be a fervent Yahwist. His religious devotion was confirmed by the presence in his retinue of the priest Abiathar and the prophet Gad. David’s devotion to Yahweh probably made it easier for the leaders of Israel to accept him as their king.

King David, the Expansionist

David cemented his relations with various political and national groups through marriage. His wives included Abigail of Carmel; Ahinoam of Jezereel; and Maacah, daughter of the Transjordanian king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:2-5).

Militarily, David had already developed a cadre of well-trained troops when he fled from Saul. These devoted soldiers were ready to follow him anywhere, and in fact did follow him from the wilderness of Judah to Gath, Ziklag, Hebron, and finally Jerusalem. These troops became his personal guard and the core of his regular army. His nephew Joab served as chief of the army.

After checking the Philistine advances on Israel’s western border, David was free to expand his kingdom to the east. There he defeated the Moabites, who then became a vassal state, paying tribute to David (2 Samuel 8:2). David also fought with the Ammonites, although the precise sequence of these wars is unclear.

By gaining control over international trade routes, the Israelite kingdom became an economic power. David became rich from the spoil and tribute brought to Jerusalem. Even the Phoenician king of Tyre, Hiram, started trading with him, especially after David made Jerusalem his capital. (2 Samuel 5:11-12).

The expansion of David’s kingdom altered the status of Jerusalem. From a small declining Canaanite city-state with a territory of a few square miles, it became — probably with little physical change – -the capital of the united Israelite and Judahite kingdoms. These kingdoms, after David’s victories, extended far and wide. The borders of the united kingdom stretched from Dan to Beersheba, but its many administrative territories and vassal states reached far beyond. David’s kingdom may have been a strong chiefdom or a kind of empire at this point, but it was still not well organized with a strong central administration.

King David, the Administrator

At least toward the end of David’s reign, there was a kind of cabinet in Jerusalem in which David’s general Joab played an important role.

The spoils of war, the levies from administered territories, the tribute of vassal kings–all flowed into David’s royal treasury. Further, the produce of the royal lands filled the royal coffers (1 Chronicles 27:25-31). Justice was administered at the local level by the elders of the cities; but appeals could now be taken directly to the king (2 Samuel 14:15).

David planned to build a new Temple in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 7) and organized a census, probably as a basis for administrations, taxation and conscription (2 Samuel 24:1-9). Both the Temple project and the census met internal opposition. Even the prophet Gad, one of David’s oldest and most loyal companions, opposed the census.

The guiding principles of this united kingdom were organization and centralization. But the process of centralization really only began toward the end of David’s reign. It was later applied more broadly by his son and successor, Solomon.

Reprinted with permission from Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple , edited by Hershel Shanks (Biblical Archaeology Society).

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David: Shepherd and King—Session 16

Tonight we will be focusing our attention on David: shepherd and king who points the way to Jesus, the Good Shepherd and Christ the King. Here’s the plan.

David: Shepherd and King

David: shepherd and king, points the way to Jesus: the Good Shepherd and Christ the King

PRELIMINARIES (15 mins)

Return corrected Ten Commandments quizzes.
Opening procession to set up prayer table
Opening prayer ritual

ENGAGE (20 mins)

Invite volunteer to come forward to put on shepherd costume .
Talk about the role of a shepherd and the use of the staff to keep sheep from straying, protect the sheep from danger.
Introduce David, the greatest king of Israel, who began as a shepherd.
Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 16:6-13 (David is anointed king) – reader = Izzy

EXPLORE (35 mins)

Pass the shepherd’s staff to volunteers to read pages 52-53 of Finding God about David.
Invite students to share out loud their homework: “If I Were King or Queen for a Day.”
Have the students declare one among them king or queen based on their homework.
Invite that student to come forward for a “coronation.”
Place “robe” around his or her shoulders and process them around the room. (Play recording of trumpet fanfare.)
Have the king/queen stand front and center and then invite the other students to come forward, presenting the following and have them read the description as they do so (have each student bend their knee to the king/queen):
Crown – your majesty, I present you with this crown, a symbol of your glorious victories.
Scepter – your majesty, I present you with this royal scepter, a symbol of your divine power and authority.
Throne (teacher’s chair!) – your majesty, I present you with this throne, a symbol of your presence in our center, holding us together in unity.
Scrolls /decrees – your majesty, I present you with these scrolls on which are inscribed the laws by which you will keep order.
Statue – your majesty, I present you with this miniature statue in anticipation of the great statue that will be erected in your honor to symbolize all of your ideal qualities.
Sword – your majesty, I present you with this sword by which you will protect your people, especially those who are most vulnerable.
Scales of Justice – your majesty, I present you with these scales of justice to symbolize the fairness and justice with which you shall rule.
Child /doll – your majesty, I present you with your heir who is a living symbol of your life-giving rule.
Medals – your majesty, I present you with these medals to symbolize the honor of your achievements as well as the honors that you will bestow upon your faithful servants.
Blueprints for Monument – your majesty, I present you with these plans for a great monument to be built in your honor as a symbol of your enduring legacy and your presence with us for all eternity.

Here’s a pic of me with all of the above props!

Next distribute Bibles and pens along with the handout Symbols of Royalty .
Have the students work independently matching the royal symbols with their meanings and then looking up the Scripture passages that show how Jesus exemplified these royal qualities.
When they are finished, review the handout. ( Symbols of Royalty answer key )

REFLECT (15 mins)

Direct young people to their “sacred space” taking with them their tea-light candle and their textbook open to page 54.
Invite young people to still themselves and then play “Shepherd Me, O God” (Marty Haugen) , reminding them that David “wrote” the Psalms and that, although we don’t have original melodies, we have contemporary melodies with the words from Psalms.
Invite the young people to pray aloud the words of the prayer on pg. 54 of Finding God . Have the girls take the role of Group A and the boys Group B. Pause in between each group’s part and signal to begin with chime .

RESPOND (5 mins)

Tell the young people that the Psalms in the Bible are attributed to King David and that they help us to pray in any situation and in any mood.
Distribute the Homework Notification Sheet that asks the parents to help their child bring in a CD of a song that expresses one of the following emotions: happiness, loneliness, sadness, hope, fear, thankfulness, anger, contentment, depression, disappointment, uncertainty, restlessness, outrage (over an injustice).
Closing prayer – young people bless themselves with holy water as they leave.

sixth grade

The Psalms: The Sound of Music Returns!

No, I’m not showing the Julie Andrews classic! I’m simply referring to the fact that my session for this evening will include a return to the use of music as a key feature. I’ve done a lot with video this year so I thought it would be a good idea to do something more auditory. For tonight’s session, I’m going to focus on the Psalms. Due to a quirk in the calendar, this is really […]

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!

Last evening was delightful session in which we focused on the “flipside” of the Prophets’ message: the proclamation of hope (we previously focused on their “getting in the face” of Israel over injustices). We talked a lot about the experience of the Exile and how those in exile were devastated and how the Prophets brought a message of hope that culminated in the coming of Jesus. The main focus of the session, however, was on […]

Who Is This Man?

At this past week’s session, I focused on the question of “Who Is Jesus?” – a theme we will carry throughout the unit we are on. I played a recording of the song “Superstar” from the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar in which the very confused Judas asks the question: “Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, who are you what have you sacrificed? Jesus Christ, Superstar, do you think you’re what they say you are?” I talked about how […]

Joe, I love your creativity! Thank you for inspiring us and helping us keep our lessons fresh and alive. I’m not a sixth grade catechist, but your ideas are so adaptable that I can use them in my primary classroom.

I will however, share your lesson with our middle school catechist. Again, thank you.

You’re welcome Wanda! Adapt, adapt, adapt! 😉

David in the Bible

Who was King David in the Bible?

King David is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible. He is known for his bravery, piety, and leadership and is considered one of Israel's greatest kings. David's story begins with his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy, but he quickly rose to prominence when he defeated the giant Goliath with just a sling and a stone. He became a trusted adviser to King Saul, but after Saul's death, David was anointed as the new king of Israel.

King David is known for his military conquests, including the capture of Jerusalem, which he made the capital of Israel. He also established a strong central government and made many reforms to help the people of Israel. However, David was not without his flaws. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and then arranged for her husband to be killed in battle. Despite this, David is still revered for his devotion to God and his commitment to the people of Israel.

David is also known for his poetry and music. He wrote many of the Psalms in the Bible, which are still used in worship today. His music was said to be so beautiful that it could soothe King Saul's troubled spirit.

Overall, King David's legacy in the Bible is one of leadership, bravery, and devotion to God. His story inspires many and continues to be studied and admired by scholars and believers alike.

Top Verses about King David in the Bible

1 Chronicles 14:17 - “And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.”

1 Chronicles 18:14 - So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.

2 Chronicles 21:7 - “Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.”

Ezekiel 34:23 - And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.

Acts 13:22 - “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.”

1 Samuel 18:12 - “Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.”

1 Samuel 20:41 - “As soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most.”

King David's Bible Quotes

2 Samuel 22:31-33 - “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure."

Psalm 27:11-14 - "Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

Psalm 59:16-17 - "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely."

Psalm 34:1-4 - "I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."

Psalm 9:9-10 - "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

Psalm 23 - "The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Discover more Bible verses about King David in this collection of scripture quotes:

Photo credit: acepixure

1 Chronicles 14:17

1 chronicles 18:14, 1 samuel 16:13, 2 chronicles 21:17, 2 samuel 6:14, 2 samuel 18:33, ezekiel 37:24, matthew 1:1, 1 samuel 13:13-14, 2 samuel 19:5-7, 1 chronicles 29:27-30, 2 samuel 5:1-5.

2 Samuel 17:21-29

1 samuel 18:1-10, 1 samuel 20:1-10, 1 chronicles 12:23-40, 2 samuel 10.

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According to biblical tradition (and some say myth), David (c. 1035-970 BCE) was the second king in the ancient United Kingdom of Israel who helped establish the eternal throne of God . A former shepherd, David was renowned for his passion for God, his touching psalms and musical abilities, his inspiring courage and expertise in warfare , his good looks and illicit relationship with Bathsheba, and his ancestral connections to Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament. Born around 1000 BCE, David was the eighth son (and youngest) of Jesse, from the tribe of Judah. Like King Saul and King Solomon , David reigned for 40 years in one of the highest and most prosperous periods in Israel 's history – called by many, “The Golden Age” of Israel. Although presented just as flawed or sinful as the kings who preceded and followed him, in Judaism and Christianity , King David is presented in various books of the Bible (from where most information originates on him, currently) as a model king of piety, repentance, and submission as well a forerunner to the Messiah – the Jewish "anointed one" and champion.

The Traditional Story of King David

In the Hebrew scriptures, 1 Samuel 16 introduces readers to a young man who will capture not only the heart of the nation of Israel, but also the heart of God. The Old Testament Prophet Samuel (c. 1200-1050 BCE) is sent to Jesse of Bethlehem (a common farmer and shepherd) to anoint one of his sons as the new king – while Israel's first king, Saul (c. 1080-1010 BCE), is still living but failing in his duties to follow Samuel's instructions and rebelling against the authority/commandments of God. After Jesse parades nearly all his sons by Samuel, each one rejected as king, he finally brings his youngest – David, who “was glowing with health and had a new appearance and handsome features” (1 Samuel 16:12).

Although David does not look like a king should look, he has the heart of a lion – a courageous spirit – and even more, a deep, unending love for God. Samuel, who has been so depressed over King Saul, finds hope and blessing in the young shepherd from Bethlehem in Judea. After David was anointed, 1 Samuel 16:13 states, “and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”

The news for King Saul, however, is not at all positive. While David receives the blessings of the Holy Spirit (the Counselor and third person of the Trinity ), “the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him” (v. 16:14). Saul began to experience periods of mental and emotional suffering, brought on by either a bipolar disorder or an evil spirit (according to the biblical text). One of his servants remembers that David is an excellent musician and recommends Saul employ him as an armor-bearer (the one who carried a large shield and other weapons for the king) and a musical balm of sorts for his tortuous episodes. 1 Samuel 16:23 states, “Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”

David & Goliath

David was more than just a musician; he had the heart of a warrior and a set of shepherding skills on the masters' level, especially when it came to the use of the sling. One day, the Philistines and the Israelites were at war ; however, the two war parties were on either side of a valley, taunting each other. The Philistines, the non-Semitic people of ancient southern Palestine , had a powerful warrior in their midst, though – Goliath, who (according to the Bible) was nearly ten feet (3 m) tall. Not surprisingly, none of the Israelite warriors dared to fight him.

When David hears Goliath's vile words against Israel and God, he volunteers to battle him. Rather than insist that an older, more experienced officer (or even himself) go out to defend God and Israel against Goliath, King Saul endorses David's wishes. After some wardrobe changes (eventually donning his normal garb), David selects five river stones for ammunition and sets out to face his giant enemy. Goliath stares down at the small, young man, and chides, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” (v. 17:43). David's verbal response is as mocking as it is audacious:

You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. (vv. 17:45–46)

As Goliath charges toward David, the young man slings a stone, which hits Goliath square in the forehead, knocking him out. David then stands over the giant, grabs the giant's sword, and kills him. Seeing the youngest of Israel so easily dispatch their strongest warrior sent terror through the entire Philistine army and they fled. It also pleased King Saul who basically adopted him into his family. 1 Samuel 18:2–3 states, “From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family.”

The Envy of Saul

In consideration of David's frequent success and amazing skills in his service, King Saul promoted David, who continued to amaze his men and all Israel. Unfortunately, Saul had developed an ego problem, so he begins to resent David especially when he hears people singing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (v. 18:7). In bitter envy, Saul tries to kill David, whom he now sees as the enemy instead of a loyal servant. Thus, the arrangement of a marriage between Saul's daughter Michal and David is more about Saul's desire to ensnare or ultimately assassinate David than a holy union, ironically.

Eventually, David goes to his best friend, Jonathan, who is also King Saul's eldest son, for help. Jonathan tries to downplay David's fears, but when Jonathan goes to his father to reassure him that David is his loyal servant, King Saul lashes out at Jonathan, calling him,

You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? (v. 20:30)

It is then that Jonathan finally comprehends how insane his father is with hatred for David. Saul has come to hate David more than he loves God—never a good condition to be in, biblically.

To the end of his life, Saul's son Prince Jonathan becomes David's protector, pleading for that same devotion from David. 1 Samuel 20:16–17 states, “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, 'May the Lord call David's enemies to account.' And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.”

The rest of 1 Samuel provides the details of an ongoing cat-and-mouse chase between Saul, who is desperately trying to kill David (and his forces) and David, who is desperately trying not to kill Saul, despite the urging of his friends and countrymen. Instead, David shows his noble, compassionate, committed character that God finds so impressive. Despite Saul's wickedness, David does not want to harm Saul, “God's anointed.” Saul, on the other hand, has given in to the darkness of his heart and soul, even going so far as to kill some priests of the Lord.

In fact, David goes out of his way to avoid Saul and/or repays Saul's evil with good. One of the more interesting moments occurs when David sneaks into a cave where Saul is relieving himself and cuts off a corner of Saul's robe to show him that if David wanted to kill him, Saul would already be dead. Once a distance away, David cries out,

See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. (v. 24:11)

Once King Saul realized what has just happened, he weeps bitterly, finally self-aware that he has been unrighteous, blood-thirsty, and ungodly, whereas David has properly and mercifully showed himself to be worthy of being Israel's next king. Before they part, Saul asks David to swear that he will not kill off Saul's children, which David easily does.

Saul's madness still rages inside him, sadly, and continues to pursue David who, in another moment of opportunity, spares Saul's life. The whole of Israel mourns, though, at the death of Samuel, and Saul, knowing that sorcery and witchcraft is forbidden by the Law , goes to Endor to conjure up Samuel. Although Saul begs for help from the spirit of Samuel, the dead prophet only replies, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy?” (v. 28:16). Saul collapses, a broken and self-ruined man who only heaped innocent bloodshed atop his arrogant, disobedient acts.

The book ends with David enjoying more and more success on the battlefield and in his domestic life, but for Saul and his family, the tide will turn and run red at their last battle with the Philistines at Mount Gilboa. In one day, the entire royal line of Saul is lost in battle, with all Saul's sons dying before him, including the noble and beloved Jonathan. Saul is critically wounded, and pleads for a nearby Israelite soldier to kill him, afraid of torture or molestation if he is found alive.

The ending of the book is distressing. 1 Samuel 31:4–6 states,

But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so, Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. So, Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.

Seeing the defeat of their army, the Israelites fled the region, opening up the lands to Philistine occupation and exploitation, which was later supported by the Philistine's use and smithing of iron.

David, King of Israel

The book of 2 Samuel begins with David hearing the news that his best friend and God's anointed king have been slaughtered by the Philistines. Stunned, David is also met with news from an Amalekite (a descendant of Esau, son of Isaac the Patriarch) that the man killed Saul, taking his crown and armband for David. Expecting a reward, instead the soldier receives an execution with David asking, “Why weren't you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?” (v. 2 Samuel 1:14). If David was unwilling to hurt God's anointed, why would anyone think that he would be alright with King Saul's assassination?

David thereafter offers a memorial to Saul and Jonathan. For Saul, he sings of him being a mighty warrior; for Jonathan, he sings of him being a faithful brother. One might expect David to be jubilant about Saul's death, but David truly never wanted Saul dead. Scholars have long noted that David's hopes for his enemies was for them either to be removed or to repent. In Saul's case, he definitely wished for the latter.

The kingship of David described in 2 Samuel 2 is just as exciting and dramatic as his period running away from King Saul. With Samuel's original blessing, David becomes the first king of Judah, but immediately launches into a seven-year civil war with King Saul's son, Ish-Bosheth, that does not end until Saul's son is assassinated in his bed by two Benjamites, the last tribe of Judah and descendants of Jacob the Patriarch.

Expecting a great reward like the previously mentioned Amalakite, they bring Ish-Bosheth's head to David who immediately executes them for their despicable and criminal activity, saying, “Wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed” (v. 2 Samuel 4:11). He has the men killed, cuts off their feet and hands, and hangs their bodies in shameful display. Later, he buries Ish-Bosheth's head, properly and respectfully in Abner's tomb (Abner was Saul's cousin and commander-in-chief of his army).

With Ish-Bosheth dead, David is offered the crown by the elders of Israel, and 2 Samuel 5:4 records, “David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.” He then conquers Jerusalem – Zion – to which he soon also brings the ark of the covenant . David has hopes to build God's temple in Jerusalem , but that David's offspring will be the one to “build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (v. 7:13).

The next few chapters detail and discuss the tremendous victories for David against the Philistines, the Geshurites, the Gezites, the Jebusites, and the Amalekites. 2 Samuel also shares of his marital problems with Saul's daughter Michal, who “when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart” (v. 6:16). It is therefore not too surprising that King David, one of the most virtuous men in the Bible, forgets his place, his responsibilities to God and to his subjects, and starts a love affair with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite – one of his Mighty Warriors.

David & Bathsheba

While relaxing at the palace , King David happens to see beautiful Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and future mother of King Solomon (c. 990-931 BCE), bathing upon her roof and the temptation is too tempting for him. 2 Samuel 11:4 records, “Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her (now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness). Then she went back home.” Unfortunately for the pair, Bathsheba becomes pregnant with David's child.

The situation is delicate, at best. Although feminists claim that David forced Bathsheba, and traditionalists claim that Bathsheba seduced David, the truth is more one of mutual culpability except, perhaps, that as king and the model for the Law of God, David had a higher obligation to protect and not exploit Bathsheba. The text does not lay the blame on any one person (somewhat like the Fall in Genesis); however, as bad as things are for the adulterous couple, it is only going to get worse.

David conspires to hide his sin and so, calls Uriah home from the battlefield and tries to get him to sleep with his wife. Uriah, however, is too devoted and too lawful to squander his time while his men are dying in battle. His plans foiled to confuse the paternity of the child, David orders General Joab, his nephew through David's sister Zeruiah, to place Uriah in the thick of the most dangerous fighting and then withdraw everyone but him.

Several things happen because of this. First, poor Uriah gets killed. Second, Bathsheba mourns for Uriah – there is nothing said about this being a unified plan. Most likely, it was David's own attempt to protect his reputation. He quickly moves Bathsheba into the palace and marries her before the child is born. Third, any loyalty of Joab to David is gone. Rather than the noble and virtuous warrior of the Lord, now David has become as bad if not worse than murderous Saul. David's plans soon begin to backfire upon him.

The Prophet Nathan

In his desperation, though, King David forgot that God sees and knows everything. So, God sends the Prophet Nathan, the Prophet Samuel's successor, to deliver a “rhetorical” message of treachery, which makes David burn with anger against the rich man who steals the poor man's one little lamb. David steps into the trap the Lord has laid for him and states, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity” (2 Samuel 12:5).

Nathan immediately pronounces judgment upon David, crying out, “You are the man!” (v. 12:7). Not only was David an adulterer, he also was a murderer and an ungrateful king who abused his position to please his loins and protect his renown. Therefore, Nathan prophesies that David would experience perpetual consequences of warfare within and without his kingdom, and that he would suffer public humiliation because he tried to cover up his horrific sins.

David's response is quite un-Saul-like, though. He humbly replies, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan then informs him that his sins are forgiven, but their child of sin is going to die. David pleads for his son's life, and when the boy becomes ill, David fasts, prays, and deprives himself of sleep, trying to get God to change his mind, but God does not according to the biblical text.

On the seventh day, the son dies, and David's response is amazing. Rather than be bitter or hate God, David got up and “he went into the house of the Lord and worshipped” (v. 12:20). The passage also records that “David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon” (v. 12:24).

Absalom & Amnon

Without his former "golden card" of righteousness, the House of David experiences bad tidings beginning with the rape of David's daughter, Tamar, by her half-brother, Amnon. Tamar comes over to help her brother (Amnon) who pretends to be sick, and when she gets close, he grabs her and molests her. Unlike Shechem, the villain in the book of Genesis (chapter 33:19; 34) who felt a moral obligation to marry Jacob's daughter Diana after he raped her, Amnon despises Tamar even more, which crushes and humiliates her.

Strangely, Tamar's older brother Absalom comforts her and says, “Be quiet now, my sister ... Do not take this thing to heart” (2 Samuel 13:20), but he never speaks to Amnon about the event. Amnon probably believed he had gotten away with the rape of his half-sister because his father David was mad but did nothing about the crime.

Two years later, though, Prince Absalom enacts his vengeance. Convincing Amnon to travel with him, he gets his half-brother drunk and then has his men murder Amnon, a prince, in revenge for raping his sister. He flees to Gershur and stays with his mother, Michal's family there, and returns three years later with another plan to steal David's throne. He even manages to enlist the king's counselor, Ahithophel (the grandfather of Bathsheba), and works the Israelite crowd.

As Absalom's conspiracy and its support grows, David flees from the forces of Absalom, not wanting to kill his son. Eventually, though, David's forces clash with Absalom's forces, and as he flees, “Absalom's hair got caught in the tree” (v. 18:9). Left dangling, Joab slays Absalom and buries his body in a deep pit in the wilderness.

As with the death of King Saul, David is devastated by the news, but somewhat confused as to why Absalom was so treacherous and murderous toward David and his men. Hearing that David is mournful beyond consolation, Joab marches into David's house and shames him for humiliating and alienating his men by his great lament for a wicked son. The book concludes with more descriptions of the incessant warfare David was promised by the Prophet Nathan. However, the final two chapters offer a poetical homage to God and to his men.

The Final Years

David's initial zeal for God and for ethical integrity paved the way for his early fame and fortune, although being a man of warfare and blood (according to the scriptures), God decided that David was not suitable to be the one to build God's temple (that would be placed in the hands of his son, Solomon). Moreover, David's illicit affair and subsequent devious actions (leading to the assassination of Uriah the Hittite and its cover up) complicated the rest of his reign – along with the rape of Tamar, the murder of Amnon, and the attempted coup of Absalom, among other controversies.

By the end of David's life, he had lost touch with Israelite society and eventually lost political control of it, as well. This led to an attempted coup by his son, Adonijah (whose mother was Haggith, David's fifth wife), who proclaimed himself to be king with the assistance of General Joab and Abiathar the Priest; however, the majority of Israel's institutional agents did not support Adonijah's claim. The Hebrew scriptures state that the Prophet Nathan went first to Bathsheba to alert her to Adonijah's usurpation of the throne, who then went to her husband, King David, to break the troubling news to him. Eventually, the Prophet Nathan joined the two, and King David officially made Solomon his heir apparent. David said, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place” (1 Kings 1).

King David died from natural causes around 970 BCE, was buried in Jerusalem, and, as suggested in the Hebrew and Greek scriptures, facilitated the establishment of the kingdom of Israel through his piety and lineage. Before his death, David gave his final admonition to his son, Solomon, saying,

Keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses , that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn... for you are a wise man. (1 Kings 2)

The Epigraphical & Archeological Evidence For King David

As with his successor, King Solomon, little evidence has been uncovered to prove the historical existence of King David; however, recently discovered direct and indirect evidence provides greater substantiation for David's life and kingship (although little to back up the Biblical assertions and specific events during his reign). In 1993 CE, Avraham Biran discovered the Tel Dan Inscription on a broken stele in northern Israel. The inscription commemorates the victory of an Aramean king over its southern neighbors, and specifically references both the “king of Israel,” and the “king of the House of David.” This is perhaps the earliest, direct, historical evidence for the Davidic Dynasty in Israel although the Mesha Stele, discovered by Bedouins in the 1800s CE who lived by the Jordan and Arnon rivers, also mentions "the House of David," written in Moabite around a century after the supposed reign of King David.

As for indirect evidence, under excavations directed by Yosef Garfinkel in 2012 CE, a Canaanite inscription of "Eshba'al Ben Beda," King David's enemy (and King Saul's son who reigned for two years) also known as "Ish-Bosheth" in many biblical translations (2 Samuel 3, 4) was found inside pottery shards from an ancient jug dated to the 10th century BCE. Additionally, survey data compiled by Avi Ofer in 1994 CE that suggest a doubling of the 11th-century BCE Judean population (particularly in Northern Israel), and potential Jebusite fortresses that were discovered in excavations directed by Yigal Shiloh (1978-1985 CE) – both of which are discussed in the Old Testament – lend credence to the notion that David and the Kingdom of Israel were part of the region's historical and cultural existence.

Adapted from God in the Details: A Biblical Survey of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures (Kendall-Hunt, 2017).

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Bibliography

Achtemeier, P. Harper's Bible Dictionary. Harpercollins, 1985.
Anonymous. Excavations at the City of David: 1978-1985: Various reports. Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1996
Brueggemann, W. A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. Abingdon Press, 2005.
Dever, W.G. Beyond the Texts. SBL Press, 2017.
History of Jerusalem: Myth and Reality of King David's Jerusalem , accessed 18 Oct 2017.
Hoffmeier, J.K. The Archaeology of the Bible. Lion Hudson, 2008.
Holden, J.M. The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible. Harvest House Publishers, 2013.
Isbouts, J. Archaeology of the Bible. National Geographic, 2016.
Randall Price, J. Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archaeology. Zondervan, 2017.
Rare Inscription From King David Era Discovered In The Valley Of Elah , accessed 18 Oct 2017.
Silberman, N.A. The Bible Unearthed. Touchstone, 2002.
The Moabite Stone (Bible History Online) , accessed 18 Oct 2017.
The Tel Dan Inscription: The First Historical Evidence of King David from the Bible - Biblical Archaeology Society , accessed 19 Mar 2020.
Tsohantaridis & Knox. God in the Details. Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2017.
Wood, L.J. Survey of Israel's History, A. Zondervan, 1986.

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4 Answers to Questions About King David

1. why did god anoint david, a shepherd boy, as king.

As a young boy, David spent time in the hills of Bethlehem watching over the sheep for his father. This may seem like an insignificant, quiet occupation for a young boy, but that's where God prepared David for his future role as king of Israel. As he learned what it meant to be responsible for the sheep in his fold and to care for them when they were in danger, he learned how to be courageous when nobody was watching.

You might be in a place in life where you question the purpose for where you are at the present. But let me assure you, the time spent in waiting is never wasted when we are being prepared for future service for the Lord.

During Samuel’s visit to the home of Jesse in his quest for the future king, the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him, for the LORD does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It is not our status in the world’s eyes that makes us fit for service for the Lord, but the sincerity of our heart.

2. Why was David worried about losing the Holy Spirit?

When David sinned with Bathsheba, he wrote in Psalm 51:11, “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” David understood that through sin he could lose the empowered blessing of the Spirit of God on his life.

Now it’s true that today we can’t lose the Holy Spirit once we have Him, so let me explain the theology.

The Spirit of God did not always function as He does today. In fact, we are told in Acts 2 that on the Day of Pentecost, God's Spirit came down and indwelt the Body of Christ which is the Church. Since that event in Acts 2, every single Christian is permanently indwelt with the Holy Spirit. You cannot lose the Holy Spirit in your life once you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior.

But in the Old Testament, before the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Spirit of God did not come to permanently indwell believers. He selectively and temporarily indwelt them for service. David did not want the Spirit of God to leave him because he wanted to continue being an effective servant of God even though he had grievously sinned against both God and man. In 1 Samuel 16:13, we are told when Samuel anointed David in the midst of his brothers, “the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.”

3. How did David’s life change after he slayed Goliath?

After his victory on behalf of Israel, David was offered Saul’s daughter Michal as his wife. He became part of the king’s family as Saul’s son-in-law. In 1 Samuel 18:2 we are also told that from the day of David's victory over Goliath, Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house.

Overnight David’s entire life turned upside down. The silence of the hillside was replaced by the noise of the palace, and the solitude of the sheep was exchanged by the teeming multitudes who thronged David wherever he went. The consolation David had through this dramatic transition was the friendship that was established between he and Jonathan—which continued until Jonathan’s death.

4. Why did David feel guilty for cutting Saul’s robe?

1 Samuel 24:4-6 says, “And the men of David said to him, ‘Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, “Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.”’ Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. He said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.’”

Though David didn’t seek full revenge, his conscience bothered him that he had even cut Saul's garment. This was the Lord's anointed, and to treat him in such a way David knew was wrong. He recognized that Saul was God’s anointed and should not be harmed by him.

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Creation Care

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28

Marine litter is a huge ecological problem. Many countries’ coastlines are littered with plastic and debris, and there is an “island” of plastic more than the twice the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean where currents have accumulated the debris. Fish become entangled in discarded fishing nets and lines, with bellies full of plastic debris they have swallowed.

Such images are in stark contrast to the pristine beauty and glory of Eden as presented in Genesis. Though mankind was given the mandate to “have dominion over” (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. When God’s mandates go unfulfilled on earth, God’s glory is diminished. And that mandate extends to our personal life as well. Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body.

When you see opportunities to care for creation—nature or your own body—do so as a way of glorifying the Creator.

The creation is both a monument of God’s power, and a looking-glass in which we may see his wisdom. Thomas Watson

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Paul’s letter to the people at Corinth was an exhortation to remain steadfast. The church in Corinth was an undisciplined church, and he was letting them know that even though the culture around them was in flux, their faith in Jesus Christ needed to remain focused and sure. It is true for us today also. How can we remain steadfast in our faith and avoid the pressures of this ever-changing world? By devoting time each day to the study of God’s Word.

As we read the Bible and immerse ourselves in God’s truth and character, our lives are changed—we become more like Him. God’s Word is a powerful litmus test for our souls and actions. As our lives center on God, giving priority to hearing His voice and reading His Word, we become bolder in sharing our faith.

Joshua had the confidence and courage to lead God’s people into the Promised Land because He believed in God’s promise and presence. We serve the same God who said: “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

You can place your steadfast trust in Him.

When we find a man meditating on the words of God, my friends, that man is full of boldness and is successful. Dwight L. Moody

Ready and Willing

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

A leper approached Jesus and said, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus touched the man, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed”—and he was healed (Mark 1:40-42).

That event is a beautiful example of the willingness of God. In fact, there are no instances of Jesus being asked to help or heal and Him answering, “I am not willing.” There is a place where the Bible says God is “not willing,” and that is 2 Peter 3:9. In writing about the timing of the Day of the Lord (the end of the age), Peter says God is waiting for all who will be saved to come to Him. He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Said another way, God is willing for any who want to be saved to come to Him (John 6:37; 7:37). The question is never whether God is willing but whether man is willing.

Have you responded to God’s willing invitation to come to Him?

God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. J. C. Ryle

I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure. Psalm 119:162

Earlier this year, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The volunteer decided the dilapidated volume wasn’t worth saving and was about to throw it away when she thumbed through it and found a hidden chamber. Someone had used a knife to cut a hole in the middle of the book. Inside was $4,000!

That’s nothing compared to the treasure you’ll find when opening the covers of the Bible. Perhaps it would help to think of it in those terms. Use your imagination to see every word of Scripture turning to gold as you read it. Think of every promise as a precious stone. See the words about Jesus in the Gospels as sparkling like diamonds. Visualize your daily Bible study time like a miser running his hands through a chest of gold.

The treasury of Scripture will enrich your mind, refocus your goals, replace your doubts, and redirect your path—but only if you read it and heed it. Start today!

To get the best use out of [the Bible] for daily life,...Give it the best and freshest, not the most tired and dull, hour of the day. M. S. Kimber in The Sunday School World , 1893

Hello Heaven!

I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside. 2 Peter 1:13-14, NIV

Peter wrote his final letter shortly before his execution. He wasn’t discouraged; he was looking forward to the future. He spoke of “looking forward to these things.” and “[looking] for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13-14).

Life is full of hardships and heaviness. We have the promises of God to help us in difficult days, and we have the Holy Spirit within us. We have a purpose for being here—to refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the Lord. But we’ll soon put aside the tent of our earthly body, and what a relief! Goodbye hardship and heaviness. Goodbye trials and troubles. Hello Jesus! Hello heaven! Hello golden streets, glorified bodies, endless days, and the fresh air of New Jerusalem!

During difficult times, the hope of eternity gives us strength. If you’re prone to worry yourself to sleep each night, turn your thoughts upward and close your eyes thinking of heaven and its eternal throne.

A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They’re building a palace for me over there. Harriet Buell, in her hymn “A Child of the King”

Overcoming Temptation

Temptation. Whether we realize it or not, it is part of our past, and it will be part of our future. The moment we resolve to stand strong and walk away is when temptation grows most intense. That is why Scripture is of paramount importance. God's Word contains the answer to resisting temptation before it's too late. Consider these verses:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full–grown, brings forth death (James 1:13–15).

Some people wonder about the value of the Old Testament in a Christian's life. The apostle Paul addressed that question in 1 Corinthians 10:11—"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition." To what things was Paul referring? He listed them in verses 7–10. They are idolatry, immorality, infidelity, and disloyalty.

Temptation is not sin; yielding to temptation is.

With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites made—not to provoke God's discipline by willfully sinning. None of us is above God's discipline if we engage in sin. We must look for and take "the way of escape" God provides in every situation where temptation is found (verse 13). To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (verse 13). There are no "new" temptations in life.

The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. Our own "desires" entice us away from God and desire "gives birth to sin" (James 1:13–15). God doesn't tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices.

Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and He took the same means of escape that is available to us—obedience to God's Word (Matthew 4:1–11; Hebrews 5:8). Temptation is not sin; yielding to temptation is. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it.

Victory in Him

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

To first-century leaders in the Roman world, the imagery was familiar: A victorious Roman general returning from battle leading his soldiers and their captives into the city. Citizens lined the streets applauding while the aroma of celebratory incense filled the air. Paul uses that image to say that Christ leads His followers in a victory procession through every difficulty in life (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).

The Christian’s victory is through Christ. The victory over the world, the flesh, the devil, and sin was won by the Cross and the empty tomb. He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We have victory now and for eternity only because of the victory Christ won for us. Therefore, if we are to experience victory in this life, it will come only as we depend on Him. As Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, the life we now live is the life of Christ in us as we keep our faith in Him.

If you need a victory in your life, begin every day by renewing your faith in Christ in whom all our victories are to be realized.

The spiritual battle, the loss of victory, is always in the thought-world. Francis Schaeffer

Faithful Fathers: Abraham

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. James 2:23

We can imagine a child writing an appreciative and sentimental memoir about her “perfect father,” understanding that “perfect” was not intended to be taken literally. But how about a book titled The Righteous Father ? The patriarch Isaac could have written that book about his father, Abraham.

Righteous doesn’t mean sinless, of course. We know that Abraham wasn’t perfect. But he did manifest some qualities that every father should emulate. First, he believed the promises of God about the future God had planned for him (Hebrews 11:8-12). And when he believed God, “[God] accounted it to [Abraham] for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Again, not perfect or sinless, but in a right standing with God. Second, as a result of Abraham’s trust in God, he became a “friend of God” (Isaiah 41:8). Could any father set a more worthy example to his children or grandchildren than that of being friends with God? Living in right standing with God? That means communing with Him, walking with Him, living for Him, and above all, trusting Him and His promises.

Follow Abraham’s example as a faithful father by deepening your friendship with God.

Friendship is the marriage of affections. Thomas Watson

Modern Idolatry

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

Colossians 3:1 tells us to “seek those things which are above, where Christ is.” In verse 5 we’re told to put to death the passions that come from below—"fornication, uncleanness, passion, and evil desire.” Then the Lord added the sin of greed or covetousness to the list, calling it idolatry.

That verse changes our view of idolatry. It’s not just bowing down to a small carved statue or a pagan worshiper offering incense at a shrine to Buddha. It’s the act of becoming too attached to the material things of the world—falling more in love with the things on earth than on things in heaven.

This has nothing to do with how much money you do or don’t have—a poverty-stricken person can covet just as much as a billionaire. It has everything to do with what’s at the center of our affections. Is it Christ? Is it things above? Or is it things below?

Make sure Christ is at the center of your life and that your love for Him eclipses everything else!

You don’t have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. America is full of them…. Whatever you love more than God is your idol. D. L. Moody

New Beginnings: Ezekiel

In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. Ezekiel 1:1, NIV

We often need fresh starts after enduring bitter disappointments. As a young man, Ezekiel had dedicated himself to be a priest. He was from a priestly family, and he undoubtedly looked forward to serving God in Jerusalem’s temple. Priests began their temple duty at the age of thirty. But when he was about twenty-five, Ezekiel was seized and taken to Babylon, and he never saw the temple again. When his thirtieth birthday came, he must have struggled with questions of “why” and “if only.”

That’s just when God appeared to him as he was among the exiles by the Kebar River. Ezekiel looked up and saw remarkable visions of God—the throne of God surrounded by angelic beings. Amid the strange and apocalyptic vision described in Ezekiel 1, God called the thirty-year-old exile to be a powerful prophet.

Oh, to see the glory of the Lord while in the midst of the disappointments in life. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. God always has a plan, and our false starts become His fresh starts.

Ezekiel is the prophet of the glory of the Lord…. Ezekiel looked beyond the sufferings of Christ to the glory that should follow. J. Vernon McGee

The Conspicuous Hand

The Lord your God cares. Deuteronomy 11:12

In a letter to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, George Washington marveled at how God’s hand had protected him and given success to the cause of liberty: “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and… has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”

In the middle of life’s battles, we’re tempted to question God’s ordering of our circumstances, but every follower of Christ can look back and see the conspicuous hand of God’s Providence. He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will.

Moses reminded the Israelites that God was taking them into a land of hills and valleys, of water and streams, “a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year” (Deuteronomy 11:11-12).

That’s the way He cares for us too—every day, all year long, always.

[The Lord] loves, and cares, and sympathizes, and understands, and seeks, and saves, and forgives, and helps, and encourages, and walks by our side… taking care of us in life when we can’t take care of ourselves. W. A. Criswell

God of Second Chances

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” Jonah 3:1-2

It was not uncommon in the Old Testament for “the word of the Lord” to come to God’s prophets again and again. It happened to Samuel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, and others. And it also happened to Jonah: The word of the Lord came to Jonah the first time (Jonah 1:1) and then the second time (Jonah 3:1). With the other prophets, the “second time” meant additional prophetic utterances they were to deliver. But with Jonah, the “second time” was because Jonah had failed to speak God’s word the first time. Jonah was a disobedient prophet.

God commissioned Jonah to go east to Assyria, to the capital of Nineveh and deliver a message of judgment. But Jonah fled west toward Spain because he feared the Assyrians. You know the story—Jonah ended up in the sea where he was swallowed by a great fish. Jonah repented and called on the Lord and was delivered. God gave him a second chance.

Don’t let your past keep you from trusting God for a second (or third, or fourth) chance. The God of grace loves to forgive.

Forgiveness is to be set loose from sins. G. Campbell Morgan

All You Need Is Love: Forgiveness

When Jesus saw [the friends’] faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Mark 2:5

The hardest part of forgiving another person is acting like the offense never occurred . But that is what forgiving someone means—restoring relationships to the status they enjoyed before the offense took place. It’s one thing to say, “I forgive you,” but it’s another to act like all the effects of an offense are completely erased. After all, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, love is known by its actions more than its words.

Jesus faced this dilemma when He healed a paralytic man. When He told the man that his sins were forgiven (and by extension, he was healed), He was criticized. He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sins—something only God can do. So, Jesus proved He had the authority to say, “I forgive you,” by doing something harder. He healed the man’s paralysis. After all, as Jesus explained, actions speak louder than words (Mark 2:8-11).

We cannot go through life without being hurt by others, so we should learn to forgive. Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. Look for opportunities to do both.

A Whole Person

In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. Titus 2:7

In mathematics two of the basic kinds of numbers are integers and fractions: 2, 100, and 56 are integers, while ½, ¼, and 2.5 are fractions. Integers , from a Latin root meaning “whole” or “entire.” The word integrity comes from the same root; a person with integrity cannot be divided in beliefs or morality based on varying circumstances.

When the apostle Paul wrote to his young pastoral protégé, Timothy, he told him to show “integrity” in doctrine, to be incorruptible in belief and in actions. Paul wanted Timothy to hold fast to the truth of God, not allowing himself to be divided. A person of integrity obeys the whole counsel of God every day, in every circumstance. Daniel’s three friends in Babylon demonstrated integrity when they were threatened with being burned alive (Daniel 3:16-18). They told the king they would not divide their allegiance, that they would maintain their faith in God and His promises. That is integrity.

Are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word.

Integrity of heart is indispensable. John Calvin

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Revelation 21:1

A great misconception carried by many Christians has to do with the location of heaven. The word heaven itself implies that our eternal destiny is somewhere “up there” in the heavens. But the Bible says our eternal destiny is earthly, not heavenly. As Peter wrote, we look for a “new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

In his vision of the future, the apostle John saw that “new heaven and a new earth,” our new domain being pictured as the New Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:1-2). Somehow, at the end of the age, when Christ has returned to reign and inaugurate the eternal state, this earth will be renovated and a new earth will be the result—a new earth full of righteousness in which pain and sorrow will be absent. The beautiful imagery of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 lets us know that the new earth will be a place that reflects the glory of God throughout.

Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for you if you belong to Him (John 14:1-4). The New Jerusalem, on the new earth, is that place.

Let thy hope of heaven master thy fear of death. William Gurnall

The Need for Prayer

Now it came to pass in those days that [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12

Officially, church historians recognize seven ecumenical church councils held between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787. The first, the First Council of Nicaea, met to agree on the nature of Jesus of Nazareth as both Son of God and Son of Man, as both fully divine and fully human.

The humanity of Christ, while at the same time divine, is hard to understand. But thankfully, Scripture gives us illustrations: Like us, Jesus suffered, experienced hunger, required sleep, ate food, and had limits on His knowledge (Mark 13:32). One of the most striking and helpful illustrations of Jesus’ humanity was His prayer life. We might think that, if Jesus was truly divine, He would have had no need to pray for knowledge, guidance, or help. Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). Jesus repeatedly said that He only did what the Father showed Him to do (John 5:19), and prayer was His means.

If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to go to His Father in prayer for strengthening and guidance, how much more do we (Psalm 32:6)?

Prayer and a holy life are one. E. M. Bounds

What Is Humility?

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5, NIV

What is humility? Is it the opposite of pride? If pride expands one’s importance, does humility deflate one’s importance? That’s the view given by most English dictionaries—a deemphasis on one’s own importance. But what is the biblical view of humility

If someone compliments you on a job well done, do you refuse to take credit or receive their compliment? Or do you graciously say, “Thank you,” in a spirit of genuine appreciation and humility? In Romans 12:3 Paul exhorts the believers not to think of themselves pridefully but rather to think of themselves “soberly”—that is, realistically or accurately. Paul’s topic is the grace given by God to each Christian to serve in the Body of Christ. We should neither overestimate the gift of God’s grace or underestimate it. Rather, we should think of it soberly and realistically—humbly—and minister accordingly. To think less of God’s gift would be to devalue it; to think realistically about it allows one to serve humbly.

How do you view yourself? With pride? With false humility? Or soberly and realistically according to the grace of God in your life?

A really humble man…will not be thinking about humility, he will not be thinking about himself at all. C. S. Lewis

The Power of Confession

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Psalm 32:4

California is a dry state that needs water to be transported over many miles to population and agricultural centers. Snowfall in the winter and melting snow in the spring are critical factors in replenishing shrinking reservoirs. In periods of modern droughts, aerial photographs document the receding water levels in reservoirs around the state—shorelines growing wider and drier as water levels fall.

Such is the picture David paints with his words in Psalm 32—a drought of spiritual vitality brought on by his own sin. When he failed to confess his sin to God, his “bones grew old” and he groaned “all the day long” (verse 3). It was like his soul was being evaporated by the heat of his own guilt and shame. But then the rains of grace came and David confessed his sin and God forgave him (verse 5). And he encouraged his readers not to make the same mistake he had made (verses 9-10).

Confession and repentance reveal the access to restoration. Hiding sin does not remove it from God’s sight; but when we seek God’s forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restored—that is the power of confession.

The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession. Richard Sibbes

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King David: Everything You Should Know about Israel's Greatest King

Written by Marko Marina, Ph.D.

Author | Historian

Author | Historian | BE Contributor

Verified! See our guidelines

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Date written: May 11th, 2024

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily match my own. - Dr. Bart D. Ehrman

During my last visit to Florence, I stood before Michelangelo's captivating sculpture of David in the Galleria dell'Accademia. That encounter prompted me to think more deeply about David's historical figure and his significance in Judaism and Christianity.

The powerful form of the marble youth, poised in a moment of contemplative determination, serves as a perfect introduction to a figure who is as complex as he is heroic. This legendary king, warrior, musician, and poet has left a profound imprint not only in religious texts but also in the very fabric of cultural history.

King David remains a pivotal figure in the Bible, revered as a model of righteous leadership and deep faith. His story, from his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy to his ascension to the throne of Israel, is more than just a historical account - it's a narrative rich with themes of power, redemption, guilt, and prophecy.

In this article, we aim to explore King David not just as he is depicted in the Bible but also through the lens of contemporary scholarship. Our journey through the life and legacy of David in the Bible will, therefore, be complemented by insights from modern archaeologists and historians. Their research challenges and enriches our understanding of the biblical narratives, offering a more nuanced picture of the ancient world.

But before we delve deeper into the life of King David, consider enhancing your understanding of Biblical narratives with Bart D. Ehrman's online course, " Finding Moses: What Scholars Know About the Exodus and Jewish Law ."

This scholarly and historical exploration differentiates between history and myth in profound Biblical stories , including the Parting of the Red Sea. Join the course to deepen your insights into these timeless tales.

To ensure a clear presentation of the most important facts about David's life as described in the Bible, we have decided to create the following table. With this information in mind, we can begin to explore his life and legacy.

King David - Everything You Should Know about Israel's Greatest King

Who is David in the Bible? (The Story of King David)

To situate the story of David within the Biblical narrative, we have to start with the tumultuous period following the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan . As depicted in 1 Samuel, this conflict set the stage for the emergence of Israel’s first formal leader, Saul who was from the tribe of Benjamin. According to the Bible, he ruled in the late 11th century B.C.E.

Saul was appointed as the nagid, a term denoting a supreme military leader, around whom the tribes united. Under his command, the Israelites managed to fend off not only the Ammonites but also the Philistines, securing crucial respite for the burgeoning nation.

However, Saul’s leadership encountered significant challenges. Although initially successful, he failed to capitalize fully on his victories, particularly against the Philistines. Instead of driving them back to their territory in Philistia, Saul’s efforts resulted in a prolonged stalemate.

This ongoing war of attrition saw territories repeatedly changing hands, with neither side able to secure a definitive advantage. It was during these uncertain times that a pivotal new figure would rise, destined to leave an indelible mark on Israelite history and identity.

Enter David, a shepherd boy from Bethlehem , who would become central to the story of Israel’s emergence as an independent kingdom. What does David mean? His name in Hebrew means “ beloved ” or “ darling ” and carries on the symbol of leadership and importance that transcends beyond his lifetime.

Known for his wisdom and intelligence far beyond his years, David gained entry to Saul’s court through his exceptional musical talents, playing the harp and composing songs that greatly pleased the troubled king. Recognizing his potential, Saul appointed David as his armor bearer.

The rest of 1 Samuel (15: 35 - 31:13) recounts the parallel process in which Saul’s power and influence decline as David rises. As Mark W. Hamilton observes: “In part, the narrative attempts to vindicate David of possible charges of treason and banditry by explaining how in each case when he benefits from the death or defeat of someone else, circumstances extenuate his actions.”

This introduction of David sets the stage for one of the most famous episodes in the biblical narrative - the story of David and Goliath . As we continue, we’ll delve into this legendary encounter thus illustrating how King David's humble beginnings foreshadowed his future as a pivotal leader of Israel.

David and Goliath Story: The Great Victory and the Emergence of the Davidic Kingdom

As the Israelites faced another grave threat from the Philistines , they encountered a new and formidable challenge— a giant named Goliath who could be described as a "weapon of mass destruction”. The mere sight of this towering enemy filled the Israelite soldiers with dread.

However, amidst the fearful ranks, a young David remained undaunted . Armed with nothing but a sling and a stone, David confronted the giant, striking Goliath squarely on the forehead. The impact felled the giant, and David quickly finished him off with his sword. The Philistine army, seeing their champion defeated, fled in disarray, turning the tide of battle in favor of the Israelites.

Bill T. Arnold explains the essence of the David and Goliath story by noting that this is “about more than a dramatic victory over a terrifying enemy. Saul, who was anointed to provide deliverance from the Philistines, is paralyzed by the crisis, whereas David is fearless. This military victory validates David’s anointing as the king of Israel and shows that Saul is king in name only.”

The victory over Goliath catapulted David into the limelight , with the people clamoring for him to lead their army—a request King Saul felt compelled to honor, despite his growing envy and suspicion of David's rising popularity.

Yet, Saul's jealousy soon turned lethal, forcing David to flee for his life, finding refuge near the Dead Sea. The political landscape continued to shift rapidly after Saul and several of his sons fell in subsequent battles against the Philistines, leading to Saul's tragic suicide on the battlefield.

Amidst the ensuing power vacuum, internal divisions emerged among the Israelites. While the northern tribes supported Saul's remaining son, Ishbaal, the southern tribes rallied behind David. This discord was resolved when David cleverly negotiated the return of his wife, Michal, Saul's daughter.

This reunion not only secured his political base but also linked him once more to the royal lineage of Saul, thereby solidifying his claim to the throne and beginning his reign as King David.

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The Kingdom of David

The Kingdom of David, established according to the Biblical tradition in the early 10th century B.C.E. , marked a significant turning point in the history of Israel. Upon ascending to the throne, David’s initial actions weren’t directed towards immediate military campaigns against the Philistines but towards solidifying the fragile alliance of the tribal federation.

Understanding the critical need for a united nation capable of sustaining and defending itself, David focused on creating strong national structures. This included recruiting and training a national army, organizing the economy, levying taxes, and rallying the populace around a common identity that transcended tribal divisions.

To achieve these goals, David chose Jerusalem as the capital - a strategically wise and symbolically neutral choice. Perched on a high ridge and flanked by three valleys, Jerusalem offered natural defense advantages and stood on the border between Judea and the northern tribes.

The capture of Jerusalem was accomplished ingeniously and with minimal bloodshed! David used a covert operation that involved soldiers entering the city through a water shaft. This not only prevented a massacre - crucial for future cohabitation - but also demonstrated King David’s tactical shrewdness.

The consolidation of Jerusalem alarmed the Philistines, prompting them to mount an offensive. However, under David’s leadership, the newly organized Hebrew army repelled the Philistine forces not once, but twice, decisively driving them back to the coastal plains of Philistia.

These victories not only secured David’s military reputation but also ensured the stability of his kingdom.

In the later years of his reign, as recounted in the story of David in the Bible, his rule was marked by both prosperity and internal strife, including familial discord and rebellion. Despite these challenges, David's reign is remembered as a golden era of leadership and cultural development.

King David’s death, as described in the Biblical narrative, came after a forty-year reign, leaving a legacy that would deeply influence both the historical and spiritual trajectory of the Israelite people.

How Many Wives Did King David Have?

King David's marital alliances weren’t just personal choices but strategic moves that played a significant role in his political and social reign. Initially, David married Michal , the daughter of King Saul, which symbolized his entry into the royal family and legitimized his claim to the throne. However, his marital connections extended beyond this union.

David's wives included Ahinoam the Jezreelite from the north, and Abigail the widow of Nabal from the south, further illustrating his efforts to forge alliances across different tribes and regions within his kingdom.

Additionally, he married Maakah , a princess from the neighboring kingdom of Geshur, which likely served as a diplomatic bond between the nations.

David’s marriages to other women such as Haggit, Abital, and Eglah , whose origins are less clearly defined in the Bible, as well as his subsequent marriages to several other women after the establishment of his reign in Jerusalem, underline the complexity and politically charged nature of his marriages.

One of the most renowned stories that highlights the interplay of power and personal relationships within David's life is his affair with Bathsheba . This relationship not only led to significant personal and public turmoil but also had dire political consequences.

After spotting Bathsheba bathing, David, captivated by her, summoned her to his palace, leading to an affair that resulted in pregnancy. In an attempt to conceal this, David orchestrated the death of Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, a loyal soldier, by placing him on the front lines of battle.

This act drew harsh criticism from the prophet Nathan and marked a turning point in David's reign, bringing turmoil and division within his family.

Mark W. Hamilton summarizes the importance of David’s personal life: “The politics of the harem and its children plays a major role in the stories about David, from his off-again, on-again marriage to Michal to the rivalry between Absalom and Amnon. In several cases, the women exert significant influence on David and others, sometimes changing the course of affairs by their actions.”

So, how many wives did David have? According to the Bible, King David had at least eight wives mentioned by name. Additionally, the Bible notes that he had other wives and concubines - particularly after he became the king with the capital in Jerusalem.

While David's many marriages illustrate the complexity of his personal and political life, his musical and poetic contributions, most notably captured in the Book of Psalms, reveal yet another significant aspect of his legacy.

King David and the Psalms: The Issue of Authorship

The Psalms are a collection of 150 lyrical poems in the Hebrew Bible , often linked to King David as one of the traditional authors, and include themes like worship, sadness, and praise. They are important in both Jewish and Christian worship because they capture the spiritual and emotional spectrum of human experience. These poems are historically significant due to their poetic beauty and impact on religious worship, inspiring hymns and songs for many centuries.

When exploring their authorship, it’s essential to start with the Psalms themselves. The Book of Psalms in the Hebrew Bible attributes 73 of its 150 psalms directly to King David through the phrase "le-David" in their superscriptions.

Traditionally, this has been interpreted to mean "by David," suggesting his authorship. If taken at face value, this could imply that David wrote these psalms or had a significant role in their composition.

However, the use of similar phrases with other names, such as "the sons of Korah," "Asaph," and "Ethan" in the superscriptions of other psalms, complicates this straightforward interpretation.

This issue deepens when considering the broader linguistic use of the Hebrew preposition "le," which doesn’t denote authorship outside the context of the Psalms. As Joel Baden points out in his comprehensive study of the Historical David : “It means, rather, 'to,' 'for,' 'regarding,' or 'belonging to’.”

These meanings open an entirely new array of possibilities for understanding the superscriptions of the Psalms. This insight suggests that the traditional view of Davidic authorship may be an oversimplification and that these attributions could signify something other than direct authorship, such as dedication or influence.

Further complicating the discussion , modern scholarship views the Psalms as a diverse collection whose composition spans several centuries. Michael D. Coogan describes the structure of the Psalms as "an anthology of anthologies," highlighting the lengthy and complex process of collecting and editing that involved many different authors over time.

This perspective challenges the traditional attribution to King David alone and invites a more nuanced understanding of how this sacred anthology came to be. For those who are interested in the question of the authorship of the Bible, we have a whole article on the subject!

The call for a more nuanced understanding brings us to the contemporary world of history and archeology. What do scholars think about the King David? Was he a historical figure or just a myth? Let’s take a look.

King David and the Contemporary Scholarship

Did King David exist? The question of his existence has been an important topic within the field of archeology and Biblical scholarship. In the 1970s and 1980s, a “minimalistic approach ” gained traction. Its proponents argued that figures like David and Solomon were purely mythical - a product of ancient storytellers.

However, the consensus has shifted significantly over the past few decades. Most contemporary scholars now acknowledge that David likely did exist , though the precise details of his reign remain obscured by the mists of time.

One persuasive line of evidence supporting David's historicity comes from the literary complexity of the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. These texts present a nuanced portrayal of cultural practices and include minor characters like Saul's general Abner and David's general Joab, who don’t serve prominent theological roles.

Moreover, these narratives don’t shy away from presenting David as a flawed individual , detailing morally questionable episodes such as his affair with Bathsheba. This inclusion of unflattering details supports the idea that the accounts aim to document real events and personalities thus passing what historians call the "criteria of embarrassment”.

Archaeologically, the last two decades have seen significant findings in the area known as the City of David, believed to be the epicenter of David's kingdom. Excavations here, particularly after the Six-Day War in 1967, revealed a series of terraces thought to underlie King David's residential complex.

In 2005, a breakthrough came when Israeli archaeologist Eilat Mazar uncovered a large stone structure she identified as David's palace. Among the findings were bullae, or clay seal impressions, dated to the 10th century B.C.E., which lend credence to the dating of David's reign.

Additionally, other artifacts, such as a contemporaneously dated bone and a seal possibly from the Davidic era, have been unearthed, further supporting the historical underpinnings of his Biblical narrative.

Perhaps the most striking external validation of King David's existence came from the 1993 discovery of the Tel Dan Stele by archaeologist Gila Cook . This victory stele, erected by the king of Aram Damascus around 850 B.C.E., bears an inscription that references the "House of David" . This was the first time David’s name appeared in an archaeological context.

Initially, minimalists questioned this interpretation, but consensus has grown that the stele indeed acknowledges the dynastic lineage of a historical King David.

However, it’s important to note that these archeological discoveries, while suggestive, don’t conclusively determine the full extent of David’s kingdom or the validity of David’s story as described in the Bible. The debate continues regarding the territorial breadth and administrative sophistication attributed to his reign, as well as the historical accuracy of personal stories like his battle with Goliath, his affair with Bathsheba, or his authorship of the Psalms.

Nonetheless, the evidence collected so far significantly supports the view that King David wasn’t merely a mythical figure but a real historical leader whose actions left a lasting imprint on the region's history.

The Everlasting Influence of David in Judaism and Christianity

King David's legacy endures as a cornerstone of both Judaism and Christianity which highlights his profound influence on these religious traditions. Bart Ehrman , for instance, emphasizes that David’s reign is often viewed as a golden age in Israelite history - a period of strength and unity that remains a symbol of national aspirations.

In Judaism, the significance of David extends beyond his historical kingship to the theological and messianic expectations that emerged from his lineage. According to the promises recorded in 2 Samuel 7:14-16, God assured David that his descendants would continue his legacy on Israel's throne, fostering the hope of a future Davidic messiah.

This messianic figure was envisioned as a ruler who would restore Israel to its former glory and sovereignty, echoing David's reign. As Biblical scholar John J. Collins notes, reflecting on the work of E.P. Sanders, the anticipation of a Davidic messiah was a common thread in Jewish thought from 100 B.C.E. to 100 C.E. thus underscoring its importance in Jewish eschatological expectations.

The transition of this Davidic expectation into early Christianity illustrates the seamless theological evolution from Judaism. David's role as an ancestral figure to Jesus is highlighted in the New Testament, where his lineage is used to establish Jesus' rightful place in Judeo-Christian soteriology.

The Gospel of Luke , for instance, traces Jesus' genealogy back to David, culminating in the narrative of Joseph traveling to Bethlehem for the census because he was of the "house and line of David" (Luke 2:4). This connection not only roots Jesus in Jewish history but also reinforces his messianic qualifications, fulfilling the Jewish expectation of a Davidic savior.

Furthermore, Paul emphasizes Jesus’ Davidic descent. He articulates in Romans 1:3-4 that Jesus was "descended from David according to the flesh," but elevated to divine status "by the resurrection from the dead."

The exploration of King David's life and legacy intertwines deeply with both the fabric of ancient history and the spiritual narratives of Judaism and Christianity. This article traverses the journey from David's humble beginnings as a shepherd boy to his rise as the revered king of Israel, delving into his complex character and pivotal moments that shaped his reign.

David’s historical existence, once debated, has found grounding in archaeological discoveries and literary analyses, suggesting a figure who was as real as he was legendary. These findings not only validate elements of his biblical portrayal but also highlight the sophisticated socio-political landscape of his time

Moreover, David's profound influence extends beyond historical narratives into the realms of theology and messianic expectations. In Judaism, his legacy is seen as a golden age and a symbol of future hopes for a messianic figure from his lineage.

In Christianity, his descent directly ties to Jesus Christ, providing foundational legitimacy to Christ’s messianic role - a legitimacy that most Jews, for various reasons, chose to reject.

Marko Marina

About the author

Marko Marina is a historian with a Ph.D. in ancient history from the University of Zagreb (Croatia). He is the author of dozens of articles about early Christianity's history. He works as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Zagreb where he teaches courses on the history of Christianity and the Roman Empire. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and spending quality time with his family and friends.

Thinking on Scripture

Thinking on Scripture with Dr. Steven R. Cook

King David – the Good and the Bad

The Bible describes David as a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14; cf. Acts 13:22). This is a huge compliment, but what does it mean? God certainly knew David’s heart and what kind of king he would be, for He informed His prophet, Samuel, saying, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). The statement of David being a man after God’s own heart occurs within the context of Saul’s disobedience to the Lord. Samuel told Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you” (1 Sam 13:13), and again, “you have not kept what the LORD commanded you” (1 Sam 13:14). Saul had disobeyed God’s command through His prophet, so the Lord promised to take the kingdom from him and give it to one who would be more obedient. David was that man. He was an obedient king, for the most part, and subsequent kings were measured by him (1 Ki 3:14; 9:4-5; 11:4-6, 31-34, 38; 14:7-8; 15:1-5; 11-15; 2 Ki 14:1-4; 16:1-3; 18:1-3; 22:1-2). David set the bar for what it meant to be a good king, and this allowed others to have a standard to guide them. However, we should not conclude that David was perfectly obedient and kept the Lord’s will in all matters in his life. He did not. No believer ever does, for there are none who are sinless, except the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Jo 3:5). But David obeyed the Lord in important matters, and apart from a few major offences, he did not generally commit egregious sins. [1]

David_and_Bathsheba_by_Artemisia_Gentileschi

On another occasion, David followed Satan’s temptation and “sinned greatly” by taking a census in Israel (1 Chron 21:1, 8), presumably because he was trusting in his military strength rather than the Lord. When God judged David for this, David confessed his sin and declared, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing” (1 Chr 21:8a). It is a hallmark of a mature believer to own his sin and humble himself before the Lord through confession. Not only did he confess his sin, but he also sought the Lord’s forgiveness, saying, “Please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly” (1 Chron 21:8b), and “I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great” (1 Chron 21:13).

But doesn’t this seem unfair? That David could commit such heinous sins as murder, adultery, and polygamy and still be called a man after God’s own heart, as well as being the standard of a good king to all subsequent kings in Israel? I think there’s an answer to this, and it is found in two words; grace and humility . Grace on God’s part and humility on David’s part. There is a pattern in David’s life: when God charged David with acting contrary to His will (as His righteousness demands), David accepted it and humbled himself before the Lord, accepting whatever came to him; preferring forgiveness alone, but accepting punishment also, if that’s what the Lord decided. David knew that grace is a chief characteristic of God (Ex 34:6; Psa 86:15; Pro 3:34; John 1:14; Eph 1:6; Heb 4:16; 10:29; 1 Pet 5:10). For this reason, David could say, “the LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness”, and that “He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever” (Psa 103:8-9). The Bible reveals God is gracious, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex 34:6), and, “You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth” (Psa 86:15). God the Father is described as “the God of all grace” (1 Pet 5:10), who sits upon a “throne of grace” (Heb 4:16), who “gives grace to the afflicted” (Prov 3:34), and provides salvation “by grace” through faith in Jesus (Eph 2:8-9; cf. Acts 15:11; Rom 3:24). Jesus is said to be “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14), and the Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of grace” (Heb 10:29). Grace is undeserved favor. It is the love, mercy, or kindness that one person freely confers upon another who deserves the opposite (Matt 5:44-45; Rom 11:6; Eph 1:6; 2:1-9; 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 3:5-7). The kindness shown is rooted in the goodness and open-handedness of the giver.

The other word is humility . Humility is a lowliness of mind, an inward quietness before the Lord that reflects a poverty of spirit. The humble know they need God and seek Him for wisdom, guidance and strength. Humility is not a natural quality, nor does it come easily, but it is what the Lord requires of His people (Mic 6:8; Eph 4:1-2; Phi 2:3-4). The humble live with a constant sense of their weaknesses and inabilities to cope with life apart from God, and are keenly aware of their sinful nature and propensity to turn away from the Lord and befriend the world. Humility is not a sense of worthlessness, but unworthiness of the Lord’s love and blessings. The humble realize they deserve nothing good in this life, and any blessing they receive is from God’s grace. Though David had his failings, he realized God is gracious and forgiving to the humble believer, as Scripture states, “for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet 5:5). For this reason, David could say:

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust” (Psa 103:10-14).

David was not perfect, and neither are we. But I want to close with the point that we too can be described as a person “after God’s own heart” if we walk daily with Him and prioritize His commands in our lives, and humbly accept His correction when He gives it. To be a person after God’s own heart meant David was primarily disposed to seek God’s will rather than his own, as was the case with Saul. David desired to know God’s will and walk in it, and to lead others to do the same. To be a person after God’s own heart is to love what He loves, to walk with Him in the same direction He is going, to be sensitive to what pleases Him and to obey His commands. David had this kind of heart, saying, “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart” (Psa 40:8), and “make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it” (Psa 119:35; cf. 11, 24, 92).

Dr. Steven R. Cook

David – A Better King
Saul – The King who Failed
Contrasting Good and Bad Leaders
Characteristics of a Christian Leader
What is Integrity?
Walking with God
The Basics of Grace
God’s Great Grace
Living by Grace

[1] Biblically, some acts of obedience are more important than others, and some acts of sin are more egregious than others. For example, Samuel, told King Saul, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice ” (1 Sam 15:22). Solomon wrote, “To do righteousness and justice is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice” (Pro 21:3). Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees, “you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law : justice and mercy and faithfulness” (Matt 23:23). Likewise, some sins are worse than others and bring greater judgment. Jesus told His disciples not to be like the Scribes, “who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers”, saying, “ These will receive greater condemnation ” (Luke 20:47). Concerning the citizens of Chorazin and Bethsaida, Jesus said, “ it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you ” (Matt 11:22). The apostle John, writing to believers, states, “All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death ” (1 Jo 5:17). These are obvious statements that show some acts of obedience are better than others, and some acts of sin are worse than others. Furthermore, of the 613 commands given in the Mosaic Law, only 15 demanded the death penalty, namely: intentional murder (Ex 21:12-14; cf. Gen 9:6), attacking or cursing a parent (Ex 21:15), kidnapping (Ex 21:16), habitual rebellion against God (Deu 17:12), sacrificing to pagan gods (Ex 22:20), cursing God (Lev 24:15-16), working on the Sabbath (Ex 35:2), being a false prophet and leading Israelites into idolatry (Deu 13:1-5), religious human sacrifice (Lev 20:2), the practice of divination, sorcery or witchcraft (Ex 22:18; Deu 18:9-14), adultery and premarital sex (Lev 20:10-14; 21:9; Deu 22:20-22), sex with an animal (Ex 22:19; Lev 20:15-16), incest (Lev 20:11-12, 14), homosexuality (Lev 18:22; 20:13), and the rape of a married woman (Deu 22:25-27).

[2] In fact, there was an incident in which two of David’s wives were captured by Amalekites who made a raid on the Negev and Ziklag (1 Sam 30:1-5). David sought the Lord in prayer (1 Sam 30:6-8a), and God said, “Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and you will surely rescue all” (1 Sam 30:8b). In this account, God gave David victory (1 Sam 30:9-17), and “David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives” (1 Sam 30:18).

Published by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Dr. Steven R. Cook is a Christian educator. He is protestant, conservative, and dispensational. Studies in the original languages of Scripture, ancient history, and systematic theology have been the foundation for Steven’s teaching and writing ministry. He has written several Christian books, dozens of articles on Christian theology, and recorded more than seven hundred hours of audio and video sermons. Steven currently serves as professor of Bible and Theology at Tyndale Theological Seminary, and hosts weekly Bible studies at his home in Texas. Steven’s ministry activity is entirely voluntary (articles, blogs, podcasts, and video lessons), as he works a full time job as a Case Manager for a local nonprofit agency that helps the elderly and disabled in the community. View all posts by Dr. Steven R. Cook

5 thoughts on “ King David – the Good and the Bad ”

Pingback: The Qualifications for a King in Ancient Israel | Thinking on Scripture

This has radically changed my view on beating myself up over every little mistake I make. I completely understand there is the need for humility and honesty with yourself and God In recognizing your sin and asking for forgiveness. However, as long as your heart is right with the Lord, he’s not going to erase your name from the good book. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Hi Noelle. Thanks for your comment. I too used to beat myself up over every little mistake. It’s a terrible place to be. Studying God’s Word over the years has taught me that God is very loving, gracious, slow to anger and quick to forgive. This does not mean He won’t discipline me if I commit egregious sins or pursue a lifestyle of sin. He has and will. It means there’s no condemnation when I sin, and that when He does deal with me, it’s always in love. Here’s a few articles that might be helpful:

https://thinkingonscripture.com/2014/02/16/restoring-fellowship-with-god/ https://thinkingonscripture.com/2022/10/08/the-lord-is-slow-to-anger/ https://thinkingonscripture.com/2022/01/09/a-look-at-grace/ https://thinkingonscripture.com/2021/12/24/great-and-least-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven-a-life-of-discipleship/ https://youtu.be/r–oqSW36mc

Wishing you a blessed day.

So much inspiring information I truly need it

Pingback: When a Christian Turns to a Sinful Lifestyle - Thinking on Scripture

Blog / The Bright and Dark Sides of King David: An Interview with Mark Rutland

The Bright and Dark Sides of King David: An Interview with Mark Rutland

Bible Gateway interviewed Mark Rutland ( @DrMarkRutland ) about his book, David the Great: Deconstructing the Man After God’s Own Heart (Charisma House, 2018).

Buy your copy of David the Great in the Bible Gateway Store where you'll enjoy low prices every day

Who is King David in The Bible?

Mark Rutland: It’s, in fact, impossible to grasp a comprehensive view of the history of the people of God without some understanding of David’s important role in that story. The Bible strongly makes the point that Messiah, namely Jesus Christ, was a descendant of David. Acts 14:23 is a perfect example. Throughout the Gospel accounts it’s clear that this reality was an important part of the understanding of first century Judaism. Even the “man in the street” knew Messiah would spring forth from David’s line ( Luke 18:38 ). In addition to his place in the messianic story, the Bible reveals David, as a man, to be a multifaceted genius in genres as diverse as military strategy and poetry. He’s also the true founding monarch of his nation, Saul notwithstanding, and certainly the founder of Jerusalem ( 1 Chron. 11 ).

What do you mean that your book is meant to de-comic book David?

Mark Rutland: Many have only the child’s storybook version of David which is over-simplified, sanitized, and non-biblical. Many who remain biblically illiterate know and use the phrase “ David and Goliath ” and don’t even know it’s from the Bible. They think of little David and his sling shot as they think of Jack and the Bean Stalk. Likewise, others know the basic story of David and Bathsheba but think it’s from Shakespeare. Even some Bible readers have a VBS view of David—the cute kid stuck on a felt board—but lack the robust picture of the complex and often conflicted man and leader whom Scripture reveals.

Why is it important to understand David’s gritty side?

Mark Rutland: First of all, it’s important simply because it’s in the Bible. God included the darker stories of Scripture for a reason and we ignore them—any of them, and there are plenty—at great cost to ourselves. Biblical cautionary tales are neat to do precisely that: caution us. Furthermore, we should read of David’s darkest seasons because they reveal two great realities: the terrible cost of sin and the wonderful grace of God.

Describe the times in which David lived.

Mark Rutland: David was born, 3000 years ago, which places him at the end of the Bronze Age. The technology of iron was so new that the Bible goes out of its way to say that Goliath’s spearhead was made of iron ( 1 Sam. 17:7 ) while the rest of his armor was bronze. It was a primitive violent time of constant war, invasion, and conquest.

How do you see David as a strange boy?

Mark Rutland: I think it’s impossible that his elder brothers did not think of him that way when he told of his supernatural victories over dangerous animals which attacked his sheep. Furthermore, he was a child prodigy at music whose fame reached all the way to King Saul’s pavilion. They thought him a strange child and perhaps an arrogant little liar. Witness Eliab”s accusation in 1 Samuel 17:28 .

Describe how the Bible recounts David’s dark side.

Mark Rutland: The Bible pulls no punches, not for David nor for anyone. David’s most notorious sin is certainly his affair with Bathsheba and his murderous plot to cover it up. However, that’s not his most destructive sin. The forbidden census which David ordered, against counsel, resulted in a horrible plague from which some 70,000 Israelis died. David was a violent man in a violent world, a polygamist, an adulterer, and a murderer. There just isn’t any way to avoid seeing that if we read and believe the Bible.

How can the Bible call that same person a man after God’s own heart?

Mark Rutland: That’s the question. THE question. The answer lies in David’s unwavering grasp of God’s character. In the face of his own horrible sin with Bathsheba he repented, confessed, endured the pain that followed and wrote Psalm 51 memorializing his sin forever, instead of hiding it. Furthermore in that great Psalm, David pleads for redemption through the blood, and sanctifying grace in the power of the Holy Spirit. David’s heart was after God’s heart. Certainly he sinned. Big time. But David’s deepest self knew the goodness and grace of God and never let go of it.

What do you hope to achieve in the lives of your readers?

Mark Rutland: Above all things I hope the readers of David the Great understand that the real story is not the greatness of David but the greatness and grace of David’s God. If we can understand that, we can believe that despite our own failings the grace of Almighty God can still bring us to our destiny, though certainly ours may not be as grand as David’s.

What is your favorite Bible passage and why?

Mark Rutland: Without question it’s Psalm 23 . That may seem a trite choice to some, but that great poem of David is dear to my soul. In a previous book, 21 Seconds to Change Your World , I documented the redemptive ministry of Psalm 23 to my inner self, along with the Lord’s Prayer , at a difficult season in my own life.

What are your thoughts about Bible Gateway and the Bible Gateway App?

Mark Rutland: I’m proud to endorse Bible Gateway as a usable, accessible instrument of personal growth and discipleship. In this stressful and frightening century upon which we’re now entered, we need every vehicle through which persons can find, learn and grow in the power and truth of the Word of God. Among those using modern technology, none is better than Bible Gateway. Thank you for allowing me to share with your constituency the great complicated story of David the Great .

Bio: Mark Rutland, PhD, is a New York Times bestselling author of such books as David the Great , Most Likely To Succeed , Character Matters , and 21 Seconds to Change Your World and columnist for Ministry Today magazine. He is currently the president of Global Servants and the National Institute of Christian Leadership, having served previously as the pastor of a mega-church and president of two universities. Rutland and his wife, Alison, have been married and in ministry together for more than 50 years. They have three children and nine grandchildren. Through their ministry, Global Servants, the Rutlands established House of Grace home for tribal girls in Chiang Rai, Thailand, to protect little girls from child sex trafficking. Since 1986 House of Grace has been “saving little girls for big destinies.” Its work in West Africa, largely in remote villages, has built churches and village hygiene services in five countries. For speaking appointments Rutland is represented by Premiere Speakers Bureau.

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home > articles > devotions > The Key of David

Success often results from being able to get along with others. Real leadership success can only be achieved by working with others. And this type of spiritual leadership is prescribed in the Bible as ‘partnering’ with others. This is why we regard partnering as the art of leadership .

We work together as partners who belong to God. You are God’s field, God’s building—not ours. First Corinthians 3:9

Churches need leaders. Jesus called His original disciples to ‘shepherd’ (not ‘sheep-herd’) His sheep. In John 10 Christ labours this point that his servants will lead His people as ‘shepherds’. This is not the type of leadership that domineers and exploits for personal gain. This is called despotic leadership. Rather, the type of leadership that Jesus calls for is ‘God-partnering’ leadership: the kind of leadership heart that God has toward His people. This is why First Corinthians 3:9 says that church leaders work together with God (“ labourers together with God ” KJV). As leaders with God we are to treat people as if they were God’s (“God’s field/building”). If you are called to lead people within a church, whether as a senior pastor or someone helping their pastor to lead, it is important to realise that we lead with God as well as for God, and that it is His Church.

Leaders help to organise, prioritise, initiate and reinvigorate. Without layers of leaders within a church, there is a high risk of the loss of vision and purpose, and the potential that even small gains are lost causing the church to go into decline. I was watching a TV program which told the story of a man and his family who were building their dream home. Part way through its construction while about to drive in to their house lot, a speeding car came around the blind bend and veered across the road colliding with the Dad. This was a fatal crash for the Dad. A year later, the family had lost their husband/Dad and had an unliveable partly constructed home. The TV program was going to do “an extreme make-over” on the house for this grieving family and complete it constructions in just one weekend. The producers summoned volunteers from the community to help. Around 500 people responded. As I watched this, I immediately thought that the only way possible for 500 volunteers to complete a house construction in one weekend would be if they were coordinated by a leader. And indeed they were. The house was completed in one weekend. The Bible describes a church as being like a house . Just like a natural house, in order for the spiritual house to be built and maintained it requires coordinating leadership.

¶ “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. Revelation 3:7

Jesus Christ has some things to say to various churches in the opening chapters of the Book of Revelation. But to the church located in Philadelphia ( brotherly love ) He identifies Himself as the Holder of the Key of David. David’s key was his ability to get along with others and knit them into a team. This would have been reassuring for the Philadelphian Christians who were the only church not to receive a divine rebuke. Consider with me what David did that constituted Christ honouring him with this legacy.

David was welcoming of all who would come to him. So is Christ. To be a successful leader within the church you must learn how to embrace people- their faults, failings, and fears. David did. But he also set standards for those who would be on his team.

David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, although there is no wrong in my hands, then may the God of our fathers see and rebuke you.” First Chronicles 12:17

If you were going to be on David’s team, you had to be a team player. It’s the same with following Christ. For David, he wasn’t just after followers – he was after helpers. This must be how we lead as well. A follower may be devoted but a helper is more likely to be committed . David knew how to draw commitment out of his team initially because he knew his team. He was able to gain the trust of his men and win their hearts (souls) because of his integrity and skill as a shepherd of people.

So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. Psalm 78:72

The “key” that David employed was at least his ability to inspire his team with both his acquired skill (he displayed personal diligence) and his integrity (his word was his bond and he clearly ‘walked the talk’). Jesus could rightly claim this same key for He has demonstrated His skill as a saviour and king in a far greater way than David.

Eventually David would go on to have 30 of these 400 men in his elite guard and then 3 of them would be honoured by David with the distinction “mighty man”. This is an important point. David did not relate to all of his men equally. There were several (30) that he was particularly close to and there were a few (3) that he completely entrusted himself to. While Jesus had 70 preachers that He could send out, He only had 3 that He invited to join Him on special occasions. Not even Jesus sought to maintain a deep friendship with many people. It seems that we are all created to enjoy 1 closest friend, and only 2-3 really good friends. Leaders need to draw the lessons from Kings David and Jesus that by far most of our relationships with others will be at the acquaintance level. Most of a leader’s networking opportunities will come through acquaintances. The more time we spend with an acquaintance sharing our heart and being appropriately transparent, the deeper our relationship with them will become.

I love passionate people. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one. Remember Steve Erwin? Ever seen Bear Grylls? Whatever you do for the Lord in the service of His House, do it passionately! This means-

Turn up early
Don’t rush off when you’re done
Come prepared (do your homework – what you practice when no-one’s watching may one day be the basis for your public performance. When a boxer enters the ring of a Title-Fight he cannot fake his training preparation.)
Love what you do
Teach about what you do to others
Let others have a go at what you do and encourage them to keep trying.
Spend (read: “invest”) money and time in what you do- keep learning your craft.

If you’re ministry is to coordinate the ushers in the church service or perhaps to lead the music-team, build a great team of people who are servant-spirited. Initiate times of training with them. Celebrate together after major events. Get to know each member of the team and discover how they learn and are motivated.

In these ways david had learned to partner with others in his leading. As a result, he grew stronger leaders and thus became a stronger leader himself. Ultimately though, David’s leadership success was due to his partnering with God. In the midst of his challenges, he worshiped through singing praises to God, contemplating God’s Word, interceding in prayer for others and entrusting his soul to the Great Shepherd with whom he was partnering.

Let’s partner well.

Dr. Andrew Corbett

May 10th 2010, writing from Prince Frederick, Maryland, USA.

This article may be copied and distributed if due credit is given to the author, the article is not altered, and the website- https://www.findingtruthmatters.org – is hyperlinked or referenced.

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Timeline of King David

King David is arguably one of the three greatest individuals in the Old Testament along with Abraham and Moses. Of these three giants of faith, however, far more (as this timeline shows) is recorded about King David's life and actions than the other two! Not only is he discussed in 28 Biblical books, his name is recorded more times in the King James Bible (1,139 times) than anyone else!

1040 B.C. Birth and Family

David is born to a man named Jesse in the Judean city of Bethlehem. He is the eighth and youngest son (1Samuel 17:12 - 13, 1Chronicles 2:13 - 15) and the great-grandson of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:17 - 22). His family also includes at least two sisters (1Chronicles 2:16). As he grows up he is considered the least of Jesse's sons and assigned the humbling task of tending sheep (1Samuel 16:11).

c. 1025 B.C. Anointed King, Fighting Goliath

The prophet Samuel, because of King Saul's rebellion against God, is charged with anointing a new ruler over God's people (1Samuel 16). He visits Jesse and after rejecting his first seven sons finally anoints David, in a private ceremony, as Israel's new king.

King Saul becomes distressed and depressed after God's spirit leaves him (1Samuel 16:13 - 14). His servants suggest finding a skilled musician to help change his mood and further recommend David due to his admirable traits.

Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, and a mighty warrior and a man of battle, and prudent in speech. And he is a person of good form, and the Lord is with him (1Samuel 16:18, HBFV).

David not only becomes Saul's musician but also his armor bearer (1Samuel 16:15 - 23).

The Philistines, Israel's implacable enemy, soon gathers their army to invade the country. Saul's forces also gather and camp near the enemy. Goliath, the Philistine champion, taunts Israel for forty days to send out a man worthy to fight him (1Samuel 17:16). His challenge receives no response.

David, coming to give supplies to three of his brothers in the army, appears among Saul's troops. He offers, after hearing Goliath's taunts, to fight him by himself! He defeats the giant in battle, cuts off his head, and then goes on a whirlwind tour of Israel touting his victory (1Samuel 17).

David and Saul's son Johnathan become the best of friends and make a friendship covenant (1Samuel 18:1 - 4).

c. 1020 B.C. Attempting Murder

King Saul makes David one of Israel's military leaders (1Samuel 18:5).

Women sing praises, after one of his victories over the Philistines, that David has slain tens of thousands and Saul thousands. The king hears this praise and begins to view David as a threat to his throne (1Samuel 18:6 - 9).

Saul twice attempts but fails to personally murder David (1Samuel 18:10 - 11). He then decides to distance himself from him by making him a commander over 1,000 men (verse 13). The king then offers him his daughter Michal in marriage if he brings to him 100 Philistine foreskins. His plan to have the enemy dispose of David backfires, however, when he returns with 200 foreskins (verses 20 - 27)!

1020 - 1012 B.C. On the Run

Jonathan, Saul's son, seeks to protect David from his father's wrath. He is able to calm his father down and have David return to the king's service (1Samuel 19:1 - 7). David then fights the Philistines at an unknown location and slaughters them (verse 8).

An evil spirit moves Saul to attempt to murder David, forcing him to flee to Samuel for safety (1Samuel 19:9 - 17). The king then sends three sets of assassins that ultimately fail when God distracts them from their mission. Saul himself then travels to Samuel but is also distracted from carrying out the murder (verses 18 - 24).

David secretly meets with his close friend Jonathan (1Samuel 20:1 - 23) and renews their friendship covenant. They hatch a plan where David's absence at a New Moon festival would be used to gauge whether Saul still sought his life. The king's anger at his absence, however, spills over in an attempt to kill Jonathan with a javelin. Jonathan then informs David that Saul still wants him dead (1Samuel 20).

David travels to the city of Nob and meets with Ahimelech the High Priest (1Samuel 21). He then secures food for his starving men and flees to Gath. Fearful of his identity being discovered in the Philistine city, he pretends to act like an insane person. His act convinces the king of the city to leave him alone (1Samuel 21:10 - 15).

David soon leaves Gath for an Adullam cave. He then travels to Mizpeh where he secures a safe place for his parents to stay (1Samuel 22:1 - 4). God then informs him to go to the land of Judah.

King Saul meets with the High Priest and the priests of Nob to accuse them of treason for aiding David. Although they deny the charge, they are all murdered when the king has Doeg slay all 85 of them. Doeg then proceeds to Nob where he slaughters most of its innocent inhabitants (1Samuel 22).

David fights, with God's blessing, the Philistines who are raiding the city of Keilah. He soon slaughters the enemy and saves the city (1Samuel 23:1 - 5). He then leaves with his men for the safety of the wilderness of Ziph. Jonathan finds him in the forest and the two men meet for the last time (verses 16 - 18).

The Ziphites, who know where David is hiding, reveal his location to Saul. As the king and his men begin to close in on David, a messenger arrives to inform him that the Philistines have again invaded the land. Saul breaks off his pursuit and rushes to fight the enemy as David travels to hide himself in Engedi (1Samuel 23:19 - 29).

Saul continues to pursue David after he finishes dealing with the Philistines. Saul's life is spared, however, when David refuses to kill the king when the opportunity to do so presented itself in a cave (1Samuel 24).

1012 - 1010 B.C. Samuel Dies

The prophet Samuel dies in 1012 B.C. (1Samuel 25:1).

David sends ten young men to a man named Maon to ask for help. Maon's refusal and his nasty response almost gets him killed if it weren't for his wife Abigail quickly stepping in and apologizing to David. Her wise response, coupled with Maon's death about two weeks later, leads her to become one of his wives (1Samuel 25).

The Ziphites betray David a second time when they inform Saul where he and his men are hiding. David and a few of his men, however, discover Saul's camp and take on the dangerous task of secretly entering it. They, once again, spare the king's life but take his spear and cruse of water as proof they could have killed him. Saul is made aware of the merciful act and calls the future ruler a righteous man (1Samuel 26).

David soon hides himself again at Gath. He then requests King Achish of Gath give him and his 600 men a place to live in. The king obliges and gives him the city of Ziklag (1Samuel 27:5 - 6). He and his men will stay in the city for 16 months (verse 7). While they live in Ziklag, they launch raids against the Geshurites, Gezrites and the Amalekites (1Samuel 27:8 - 9).

1010 B.C. Saul Killed, Judah Anoints David

The Philistines prepare to invade Israel yet again (1Samuel 28, 29:1). Saul and his forces gather to repel them at Gilboa near Jezreel. The military might of the enemy frightens the king to the point where he justifies consulting a witch in Endor in a vain attempt to contact Samuel's spirit. Although the response he receives frightens him it does not change his war plans.

David and his forces, whose help was rejected by the Philistines when they gathered to fight Israel, travel back home to Ziklag (1Samuel 29). When he arrives in the city, he finds it burned down by the Amalekites. He also discovers many of the inhabitants, including his family, were taken captive.

David and about 600 men then begin to pursue the Amalekites by traveling south of Ziklag to a stream named Besor. Leaving 200 men behind at the stream due to fatigue, his forces cross it and attack the Amalekites. He destroys the enemy along with rescuing his family and other captives (1Samuel 30). He and his men then return to Ziklag.

It is on the third day after his arrival in Ziklag that David learns the Philistines attacked and overcame Israel's army on Mount Gilboa (2Samuel 1:1 - 2). Killed during the battle were three of Saul's sons, one of which was his beloved friend Jonathan. Saul, wounded during the battle, avoided be captured alive by committing suicide (1Samuel 31). Upon hearing the sad news David and his men mourn and fast for their slain brethren (2Samuel 1).

David, after mourning the loss of Saul and Jonathan, asks God if he should move out of Ziklag. The Lord informs him he should move him and his family to Hebron (2Samuel 2:1 - 2).

David, at age 30, is anointed king of the tribe of Judah in Hebron (2Samuel 2:3 - 4). He also commends the men of Jabeshgilead for retrieving Saul and his sons' bodies from the wall of Bethshan and burning them (1Samuel 31:8 - 13, 2Samuel 2:4 - 7).

Saul's military commander Abner, shortly after David is made Judah's king, begins to execute his plan to make Saul's son Ishbosheth (Eshbaal) ruler over the rest of Israel (2Samuel 2:8 - 32). He takes Ishbosheth to Mahanaim then soon takes several men to Gibeon. In Gibeon, twelve of his men fight and lose to twelve of David's men led by Joab.

1010 - 1003 B.C. Civil War

Abner and his men engage in a civil war with David's men led by Joab (2Samuel 3).

Middle of 1005 B.C. Ruler Over Most of Israel

Ishbosheth, at the age of forty, becomes king of over all the Israelite tribes except Judah (2Samuel 2:10).

Middle of 1003 B.C. Ishbosheth Murdered and a Unified Throne

Abner, angry at an accusation laid against him by Ishbosheth, abandons supporting him. He then meets with David and promises both he and the rest of Israel will now support him (2Samuel 3:7 - 21). Joab, angered that David didn't arrest or kill Abner when he had the chance, murders Abner when he returns to Hebron.

Two of King Saul's military captains, sensing Ishbosheth's weakness after the death of Abner, murder him in his sleep (2Samuel 4:1 - 7). Ishbosheth's rule lasts only two years (2Samuel 2:10).

All the tribes of Israel, right after Ishbosheth's death, anoint David as their king. David ruled only over the tribe of Judah for seven and one-half years (2Samuel 5:1 - 5).

Further Study

To delve further into the details of King David's life delineated in this timeline, please see the Biblical chapters of Ruth 4, 1Samuel 16 to 30, 2Samuel 1 to 24, 1Kings 1 and 2 and 1Chronicles 2 - 3, 6, 9 to 29.

Series References Complete Book of Who's Who in the Bible Harmony of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles by W. Crockett Holy Bible, a Faithful Version, Chronology I People's Dictionary of the Bible Willmington's Complete Guide to Bible Knowledge

Quotes in this series taken from Holy Bible in Its Original Order unless noted.

COMMENTS

Free, Printable David Bible Activities on Sunday School Zone
David. David became Israel's greatest king and foreshadowed his greater descendant, Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Son of David. But, David wasn't just a "type" of Christ who would come later. David was a real person with real flaws, but also a great devotion to Yahweh, the God of the Bible. David's life reveals many important things ...
King David Sunday School Lesson
This lesson is about Samuel anointing David to be king. The lesson focuses on David's heart and how he was faithful in his day to day tasks. This would be an excellent Sunday School lesson, but you could easily use it in kids church or for children's Bible study at home. Like all our content, it's 100% free for you to use in your church ...
David Worksheets
David Worksheets. This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about David across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about David. King David is a prominent figure in biblical history and is considered one of the most important figures in Judaism. He is best known as the second king of ...
King David Sunday School Lesson
This lesson is about Samuel anointing David to be king. The lesson focuses on David's heart and how he was faithful in his day to day tasks. This would be an excellent Sunday School lesson, but you could easily use it in kids church or for children's Bible study at home. Like all our content, it's 100% free for you to use in your church ...
16 Facts About King David
5. David was God's "anointed one". Most people have heard Jesus described as the messiah. But he wasn't the only person to hold this title. In the Bible, "anointed one" and "messiah" are synonymous. God's anointed one was the person he chose to lead and save his people.
King David
There was a long war between the followers of David and Saul, but David and his followers kept getting stronger and stronger until eventually David won and was anointed King of all of Israel (all 12 tribes). There are a lot of details in 2 Samuel 1-4 about that series of events, and you can teach them at your discretion.
Fourteen Things You Need to Know About King David
That's why the much-celebrated Jewish song "David, Melech Yisrael," is actually a messianic celebration of David's persistence in history. "David, Melech Yisrael, Ch'ai, Ch'ai, Vi'kai-yom" means: "David, King of Israel, is alive today.". David, the sweet singer of Israel, is the traditional author of the — a set of 150 ...
The Story of King David Lesson
However, Saul killed himself after being in battle with the Philistines, and David became king. Read 1 Samuel 31:1-6. Say, "David became king and was called, 'a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14)'. He soon established himself as a wise leader both in his dealings with people and in battle."
The Story of King David in the Bible
David's Early Life. David was born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, in the year 2854 (907 BCE), during the era of the prophets.He was the youngest of seven sons, and only 10 generations removed from Judah, one of Jacob 's 12 sons. He was also a descendant of Ruth, the famous Moabite convert.1 A red-cheeked, bright-eyed and handsome young man, he used to tend to the sheep of his father, Jesse.
David
When Ishbosheth was murdered in about 1000 bc, the Israelites made David their king. David successfully ruled Judah and Israel as a united nation until he died some 40 years later. His armies captured Jerusalem and several small neighboring kingdoms and routed the Philistines. The king was troubled by years of family strife.
God Looks at the Heart and Chooses David to be King (1 Samuel 16
God had to guide Samuel to His choice of Jesse's sons rather than the most impressive-looking one. The craft highlighting the importance of inner beauty is a collage card, which could be used as a decorative reminder or something to give away. To recount the life of David, a mobile is suggested to review events of the king's life.
The Many Faces of King David
According to 1 Samuel 16:1-13, David was the youngest son of Jesse. The prophet-priest Samuel "anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.". The Bible offers two accounts of how David became part of Saul's household. In the first, Saul takes David into his service ...
David: Shepherd and King—Session 16
Introduce David, the greatest king of Israel, who began as a shepherd. Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 16:6-13 (David is anointed king) - reader = Izzy; EXPLORE (35 mins) Pass the shepherd's staff to volunteers to read pages 52-53 of Finding God about David. Invite students to share out loud their homework: "If I Were King or Queen for a Day."
Who was King David in the Bible?
2 Samuel 5:1-5. 1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'.
King David
According to biblical tradition (and some say myth), David (c. 1035-970 BCE) was the second king in the ancient United Kingdom of Israel who helped establish the eternal throne of God.A former shepherd, David was renowned for his passion for God, his touching psalms and musical abilities, his inspiring courage and expertise in warfare, his good looks and illicit relationship with Bathsheba ...
4 Answers to Questions About King David
4 Answers to Questions About King David. 1. Why did God anoint David, a shepherd boy, as king? As a young boy, David spent time in the hills of Bethlehem watching over the sheep for his father. This may seem like an insignificant, quiet occupation for a young boy, but that's where God prepared David for his future role as king of Israel.
King David: Everything You Should Know about Israel's Greatest King
The Kingdom of David, established according to the Biblical tradition in the early 10th century B.C.E., marked a significant turning point in the history of Israel.Upon ascending to the throne, David's initial actions weren't directed towards immediate military campaigns against the Philistines but towards solidifying the fragile alliance of the tribal federation.
King David
The Bible describes David as a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14; cf. Acts 13:22). This is a huge compliment, but what does it mean? God certainly knew David's heart and what kind of king he would be, for He informed His prophet, Samuel, saying, "God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Sam 16:7). However, we should not ...
The Bright and Dark Sides of King David: An Interview with Mark Rutland
Bio: Mark Rutland, PhD, is a New York Times bestselling author of such books as David the Great, Most Likely To Succeed, Character Matters, and 21 Seconds to Change Your World and columnist for Ministry Today magazine. He is currently the president of Global Servants and the National Institute of Christian Leadership, having served previously as the pastor of a mega-church and president of two ...
The Leadership Key of King David
Come prepared (do your homework - what you practice when no-one's watching may one day be the basis for your public performance. When a boxer enters the ring of a Title-Fight he cannot fake his training preparation.) Love what you do; Teach about what you do to others; Let others have a go at what you do and encourage them to keep trying.
Timeline of King David
Fighting Giants - Key of David - Goliath's Spear. David's Battles - Census Sin - Waiting to Rule. Mighty Men - Star of David - More! This timeline covers the period from King David's birth in 1040 B.C. to his rise as ruler over all of Israel's tribes in 1003. King David is arguably one of the three greatest individuals in the Old Testament ...
David
David (/ ˈ d eɪ v ɪ d /; Biblical Hebrew: דָּוִד ‎, romanized: Dāwīḏ, "beloved one") [a] [5] was a king of ancient Israel and Judah and the third king of the United Monarchy, [6] [7] according to the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament.. According to Jewish works such as the Seder Olam Rabbah, Seder Olam Zutta, and Sefer ha-Qabbalah (all written over a thousand years later), David ...
Davidic line
The Davidic line or House of David (Hebrew: בֵּית דָּוִד, romanized: Bēt Dāvīḏ) is the lineage of the Israelite king David.In Judaism, it is based on texts from the Hebrew Bible and through the succeeding centuries based on later traditions.. According to the Bible, David, of the Tribe of Judah, was the third king of the United Monarchy of Israel and Judah.

Word Scramble for David Was a Shepherd Boy

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David the King

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David and Jonathan

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David Was Called As King

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David and The Giant

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for Samuel Followed God

Large Jigsaw Puzzle for David Was a Shepherd Boy

Hidden Pictures in David the King

Hidden Pictures for David and Jonathan

King David Sunday School Lesson

Bible Lesson: David-Introducing the King after God’s own heart

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Who was King David?

1. David was from the tribe of Judah

2. David was Ruth and Boaz’s great grandson

3. David was the youngest of seven sons (or he had seven brothers)

4. David was from Bethlehem

5. David was God’s “anointed one”

6. David was a shepherd

7. David was a musician

8. David was a giant slayer

9. David was a great warrior

10. David was Israel’s greatest king

11. David committed adultery with Bathsheba

12. David plotted to have Uriah killed

13. David was a man after God’s own heart

14. David lived around 1,000 BC

15. David had (at least) eight wives

16. David wrote about half the Book of Psalms

An imperfect messiah

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34. King David

Story Summary

What You Will Need

Resource Sheet

1. Warm Up get your kids talking and engaged

2. Teach the Story teach a holistic story

3. Bible Mastery give them basic Bible skills

4. Comprehension Questions make sure they understand the story

5. Faith Questions open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer

6. Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart

Cardboard box Ark of the Covenant

Paper Ball War

Paper Plate Crown

David, David Where is the ark?

City of David

Jesus' Genealogy

David fights for all of Israel /Ishboseth is made

Old Testament

Father Abraham

In the Desert

The Promised Land

New Testament

Jesus Begins His Ministry

Jesus Ministers

Preparing for the Crucifixion

Crucifixion and Resurrection

The Early Church

The Church Grows

Woah, there Nelly!

Background Scripture

2. Teach the Story

3. Bible Mastery

4. Comprehension Questions

5. Faith Questions

6. Memory Verse

Preparation

What to do when a child asks a question and you don't know the answer

Using Videos

The Story of King David Lesson

Who was …. A Study on Bible Characters

The Story of Abraham: Bible Lesson for Children’s Church

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