Lessons from the Life of David

Table of Contents

    An image of King David from the Bible standing in a palace with a sunset in the distance.

    King David in the Bible is known as “a man after God’s own heart.” He was a shepherd, warrior, musician, poet, king, and sinner—and most importantly, he was a prototype of Jesus.

    David’s story is dramatic, rich in lessons, and deeply relatable. Through David, we see how God might respond to us and how we should respond to him. Through David, we see God’s victory over his enemies and we also see God’s justice. Through David—and this is critical—we see a through-line directly to Jesus.

    Let’s look at 18 story beats from David’s life, and some lessons we can learn from studying them.

    1. David the Shepherd Boy

    ‌ 1 Samuel 16:1–12

    After God became displeased with Saul because of his disobedience, God sent the prophet Samuel on a hunt for the next king of Israel. This king would be a true heir to the promise that was prophesied in Genesis 49.

    Rather than choose the tall, strong, confident men of Jesse’s family that were presented to him, God told Samuel to anoint the youngest of the family who was out tending the sheep.

    David didn’t fit the typical expectations of a king, but God reminded Samuel that he looks at the heart, not the appearance.

    There are a few applications that we can take from this.

    First, be faithful where God has placed you. God is glorified more in our obedience and character than in seeking our own glory. Trust God’s good plan for you, even when nobody is watching.

    Second, as God looks at the inward heart rather than the outward appearance, we should do the same. Heart and character matter more than what we look like.

    2. David Anointed by Samuel

    1 Samuel 16:13

    David was just a boy from a humble family when Samuel anointed him as king over his people. Everyone was amazed and surprised at God’s choice.

    According to our standards, it just didn’t make sense. But God once again proves that his ways are higher than our ways. God often subverts our expectations.

    Not only was David not innately regal in stature, he was the last born of a relatively unknown family from a relatively insignificant town. He was also quite young, and yet God still selected him specifically for his mission.

    For us, we can learn to trust God’s plan. He often works in ways that are completely unexpected, but his promise is that what he does is for his glory and our good.

    So our job is to grow where we’re planted and trust God with everything else.

    3. David Soothed Saul with Music

    1 Samuel 16:14–23

    After Saul’s repeated disobedience and rejection of God, God’s spirit departed from Saul, leaving room for a spirit to torment Saul. This was part of God’s plan to increase David’s influence in the royal halls of Israel.

    David had a gift: he was skilled with the lyre. When David played his music for Saul, the evil spirit was pacified. In this way, David made himself indispensable in Saul’s courts.

    David used his unique giftedness to serve God’s purposes and to help others. Our gifts, talents, resources, and abilities are not simply for our own benefit but they are for the benefit of others and the benefit of God’s kingdom.

    Make sure that you’re using your gifting in the way that glorifies God and serves others.



    4. David Faced Goliath

    1 Samuel 17:32–50

    The nation of Israel trembled before the Philistine champion. They stood by, paralyzed by fear, as the enemy not only mocked the nation, but the God they served.

    The shepherd boy musician wouldn’t stand for it. He offered to fight the giant, and Saul reluctantly allowed it.

    So the young David stands before Goliath armed only with a sling—you know how it goes. David aims a perfect shot and fells the monster, bringing victory for God’s people.

    There is no shortage of teaching about how this shows us we can face any giant with God on our side. All we need is faith, and we can overcome anything. And it’s true, that’s a great lesson for us.

    But consider this: David is an archetype of the coming Christ. David, the picture of Jesus, defeated the enemy that nobody else could, securing the victory for his people. Jesus likewise has defeated a force that only he could defeat—sin and death—and has secured victory for his people.

    5. David Befriends Jonathan

    1 Samuel 18:1–4

    David and Jonathan had a special friendship that transcended their circumstances.

    Jonathan was the son of Saul and heir-apparent to his throne, and yet he demonstrated remarkable selflessness and awareness of God’s purpose, relinquishing his rights to the throne on David’s behalf. Despite his family ties to the throne, he supports David’s campaign and even helps him flee danger from his father’s wrath.

    The friendship that David and Jonathan shared reflected a love that we would do well to model in all of our own relationships. Our relationships should be loyal and selfless, looking out for one another and serving one another well.

    6. Saul Becomes Jealous of David

    1 Samuel 18:28–19:10

    When Saul sees that the Lord is with David and that even his own family had turned on him, he first grows fearful, but that is quickly followed by envy and anger. From that moment on, he is David’s enemy.

    He orders David’s death, but Jonathan stands up for his friend. Saul relents for a moment, but it isn’t long before Saul makes an attempt on David’s life himself. David managed to escape and flee into the wilderness, living to fight another day.

    Put yourself in David’s shoes. He knows that he will one day be king. But he is patient and kind. David faithfully serves Saul, even though Saul has expressed open hostility toward him.

    Both men experienced circumstances that didn’t go as they expected. They responded in opposite ways—Saul responded with jealousy and hostility. David responded with patience and grace.

    Gratitude and humility protect our hearts from making the wrong choices. When you’re faced with a difficult situation, how you respond matters.

    7. David Hides in the Wilderness

    1 Samuel 23:13–29

    After fleeing from Saul’s wrath, David finds himself in the wilderness. He spends his time hiding in deserts and in caves, waiting for God to move. He trusts that God will come through.

    During this time, his closest friend, Jonathan, comes and encourages him. He reminds David that he is still on his side, even confirming that David will be the king, forfeiting his own claim to the throne.

    The Bible tells us that God protected David in the wilderness and would not let Saul have victory over David. In the same way, God protects us according to his good plan and purpose.

    That doesn’t mean that nothing bad will happen to us, or that we will never be in danger (in fact, I would argue that if we’re truly following Jesus, we will encounter some form of danger and discomfort at some point), but it does mean that God is sovereignly working for his glory and our good. And that’s a beautiful truth to remember.

    8. David Spares Saul’s Life

    1 Samuel 24

    In the wilderness, David has an opportunity to catch Saul and put an end to his own hardship and claim the throne that he’d already been promised. Actually, he has two different chances—both here and in 1 Samuel 26.

    And what does David do when given this opportunity?

    He chooses patience, peace, and forgiveness. When Saul stumbles in the very cave where David and his men are hiding, he’s in an incredibly vulnerable position, and David spares him, but he does cut a corner of his robe so that he can prove to Saul that he is gracious.

    And yet again, in chapter 26, David and his men are able to approach a sleeping Saul while his own guards are snoozing on the job, and once again he chooses peace.

    David chose mercy when revenge was easy. Forgiveness will always honor God more than retribution or payback. Check out Matthew 5:38–48 to see what Jesus has to say on the issue.

    9. David is Strengthened in the Lord

    1 Samuel 30:6

    There’s a moment of tension here when David’s own armies find themselves on the receiving end of the war. Their families back home are kidnapped, their town left in ruins. The men blame David on some level, not knowing how God will deliver their enemies into their hands.

    When David found himself with his back against the wall and nowhere else to turn, he turned to God. He recognized that with God on his side, he would never be alone. He’d already experienced incredible victory through God’s deliverance, and he knew that God would deliver him again.

    When you feel at odds with the world or just plain stuck, remember that God is present and he cares for you, and he can win any battle that you give to him.

    10. David Mourns Saul

    1 Samuel 31–2 Samuel 1

    At the end of 1 Samuel, something amazing and surprising happens. Saul and Jonathan die during battle and when David finds out, he mourns. Not only that, he punishes the man who came to him when he finds out that the man had abandoned Saul’s side when he needed him most.

    Can you imagine experiencing such a tumultuous relationship with someone who went from mentor to rival to bitter enemy, and then mourning that person’s death and seeking justice on their behalf? That’s not the way we typically think today. Our culture is very justice-driven, as long as it’s self-centered.

    But David showed us a different way. He showed us a way to be compassionate and honor our enemies. He showed us how to love those who are hard to love.

    We likely won’t face circumstances at the gravity and scale that David did, but we will certainly experience challenges in our lives. We will have fractured relationships and people who don’t treat us fairly, sometimes even with outright hostility.

    We can’t control how they treat us, but we can control our response. We can choose compassion and grace. We can be an example of Jesus when nobody else around us will.

    11. David Becomes King

    2 Samuel 5:1–5

    The promise that God made to David during his youth (likely when he was around 12–15 years old) finally comes to pass: David is anointed as the king of all Israel in 2 Samuel 5.

    David had an uphill battle to becoming king. At many points it would have been easy for him to want to give up or lose his faith that God would keep his longstanding promise. But as we’ve already seen, David kept his faith and trust in God and never wavered.

    Just like his ancestor Abraham, David knew that trusting God and his timing was far better than any alternative. He was so comfortable in the presence of God, that there was no place he would rather be than waiting patiently by the Lord’s side.

    What a powerful example of patience! Much has been said about our culture’s need for instant gratification. But it’s true that we are not a culture built for waiting.

    Up to this point, David had spent half his life waiting—not only that, he had his life threatened multiple times, was rejected, homeless, insulted, and ridiculed for his obedience.

    Then take that one step further and consider the patience and long-suffering of David’s heir, Jesus. He was beaten, mocked, accused, and yet he endured with great grace and compassion. Praise God for his abundant mercy!

    12. David Restores the Ark

    2 Samuel 6

    This is a complicated story in the Bible. There are a lot of different dynamics to explore in this chapter.

    From the really hard situation surrounding Uzzah’s death, to Michal’s shame at David’s “undignified” behavior, it can be hard to understand exactly what’s happening in this text and why it’s in the Bible. But what I want to focus on is David’s response to bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem.

    Under Saul’s reign, the Philistines managed to steal the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelite army. Israel was able to win the Ark back, but it wasn’t brought back to Jerusalem, but was instead trusted to the house of Abinadab for safekeeping. Abinadab’s son, Eleazar was consecrated for the task, and the Ark would remain in that household for twenty years.

    Once David had solidified his rule, he decided to bring the Ark back to its rightful home in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem. Once he finally does so, he celebrates mightily (much to his wife Michal’s chagrin).

    David was unafraid to completely lose himself in the joy of the Lord. He wasn’t irreverent (as we had already seen someone executed by the hand of God for dealing with the Ark irreverently). He simply gave all of himself to the worship of God and rejoicing in his presence.

    Often, our worship can be fairly reserved or solemn. We don’t want to stick out in our society or be untoward. But our devotion to God should override our desire to be seen well in people’s eyes.

    That isn’t to say that we should embrace the chaotic expressions of worship as our defining trait—the apostle Paul speaks plainly about order and peace in our worship gatherings. But we should also be open and honest and expressive in every area of our life. Our worshipful attitude should be very evident to any who would be found in our company.

    13. God’s Covenant with David

    2 Samuel 7

    Continuing the work that God began in David all the way back in 1 Samuel 16, God officially establishes his covenant with David here. The promise that God made to David years before now has the added weight of a covenant promise from God that the restoration of all people will come through David.

    God assures David that a king will come from his descendants that will have a forever throne—a pointer to the coming of Jesus.

    Through David’s line, we all experience the saving grace of Jesus, when we put our faith in him. Through David’s obedience and patience as he waited for God to fulfill his promise, salvation has been made available for all people.

    We don’t always see how God is working around us, in fact, it’s more common that we don’t. But we do know that his promises are good and true and worth waiting for.

    14. David Makes a Big Mistake

    2 Samuel 11

    To say that David’s actions in 2 Samuel 11 are simply a “big mistake” almost seems to downplay the severity of his actions. It’s quite the understatement.

    Let’s recap.

    He likely takes advantage of his position as king in order to bring Bathsheba into his bed—an offer she certainly couldn’t refuse. And upon finding out that she is pregnant, he tries to deceive Uriah, her husband, but the man is loyal to his fellow troops and his duty. David’s response is murder by proxy. He delivers an order that will ensure Uriah dies so the king can cover his shame and sin.

    It’s an incredibly hard to read account because of how wicked each of these actions are. Especially coming from one who just a few chapters earlier was ordained by God with an everlasting covenant.

    But these accounts exist for a reason. We are supposed to be uncomfortable with the realities of sin. We should be disgusted by accounts like this.

    Our response, in many ways, can be a marker for our own maturity. If we gloss over the severity of sin in accounts like this, there’s a good chance that we gloss over the severity of sin in our own lives.

    Sin is a big deal to God (another major understatement), and it should be a big deal to us as well. But there is hope.

    15. David Repents

    2 Samuel 12

    After David’s great sin against Bathsheba and Uriah, the prophet Nathan confronts David. He is clever in his approach. He tells the king a parable about the sin of someone else, and asks what the consequence should be for this supposed situation.

    David is naturally quite upset at the scenario that Nathan portrays, and calls for justice. Then comes the reveal: Nathan tells David that he is just like the sinner in the story and that God demands repentance. In response, David is broken and repents before the Lord and before Nathan. He brings Bathsheba into his house to care for her and the child, although we later see that David’s child borne of iniquity would not survive.

    Psalm 51 is a prayer that David wrote in response to this affair—we see his brokenness and repentance laid bare as he acknowledges his sin and begs the Lord’s forgiveness. When I am broken over my sin, I often turn to Psalm 51 and find comfort in this prayer for forgiveness and reconciliation to God.

    When confronted by the reality of sin, repent honestly and humbly, without seeking to minimize your sin or control the effects of it. Reconcile yourself to God and others by humbly accepting the consequences of your actions—you’ll grow so much more because of it.

    16. David’s Family Troubles

    2 Samuel 15

    Sin’s consequences often last way longer than we expect and have more effects than we could ever predict. One challenge David (and others) faced as a result of sin was horrible conflict within their family that affected not only the family, but others.

    David showed passivity when he should have sought justice. His sin perpetuated, and others began sinning as well in response. Horrible things happened to people, others lost their life, and ultimately more than one of David’s own children died in the process.

    The nation of Israel was nearly torn apart because of the open rebellion. Lives were fractured. David grieved over the loss of life and the atrocities committed through the whole affair. At the end of it all, David even expressed his grief over the loss of his son.

    Rather than rejoice the death of a rebellious child who had caused so much trouble, in a single graceful moment, David still mourned and grieved and wished it could have turned out differently. There’s a small grace there that’s worth paying attention to.

    Even in the worst of moments, people matter because they’re made in the image of God. Nobody is beyond grace.

    17. David Prepares His Son, Solomon

    1 Chronicles 22

    David’s desire is to build the house of the Lord (which, for the record, God never asked for). He wanted to be the one to construct God a permanent temple in Jerusalem, not to simply rely on the tent of meeting for God’s presence.

    But God had other plans. He reminds David that he never asked for a permanent house, but he will permit one to be built. But it will not be by David’s hand. David has shed too much blood, experienced too much warfare.

    The temple would be constructed by Solomon, David’s son. So before David’s passes away, he makes sure to set Solomon on the right course. He desires for his son to follow God just as David, himself, did.

    David also prepares the material and resources needed to build a house fit for the God of creation. He also instructs artisans and skilled workers to assist Solomon in the endeavor.

    David faithfully set his son on the right path, knowing that he would never see the end result. He wanted to leave well and make sure that he left an effective legacy—not for his own sake, but for God’s sake and for those who are still here.

    So consider this today: what are you doing to build into people who will outlive you? Are you helping future generations to follow the Lord better? Are you showing people how to glorify God? What is your spiritual legacy?

    18. David’s Last Days

    2 Samuel 23

    Speaking of legacy, in David’s last days he was far from perfect. But he always submitted to God when it mattered. He writes a final psalm singing the praises of the God who delivered his people and promised an everlasting covenant.

    In most respects, David finished his race well. He is known as a man after God’s own heart. It’s through his line that Jesus would come.

    Whatever your race, finish well. Be faithful in every stage of the journey—the good, the bad, the prosperity, the mistakes. Give it all to God, because he should be the focus of all we are anyway.

    God is patient and merciful in our journeys, so simply lean on him and do what you should do and be who God made you to be. But remember that he made you to be like him and to represent him here on this earth.

    19. Bonus: Jesus is a Son of David

    Psalm 2:7–8

    I would be remiss if I spent all this time talking about David without mentioning the biggest reason of all that we should pay attention to his life. David is important because he is a direct pointer to Jesus. In Matthew 1:1 and Luke 1:32–33 we see that Jesus is a direct descendant of David, fulfilling prophecy.

    God promised that David would have an everlasting throne, and that a descendant of his would occupy that throne forever. That can only be fulfilled through someone who is more than just a man. That must be fulfilled by God alone—and it was.

    Jesus is a fulfillment of the promise that God gave. A promise to restore his people, but this time he is talking about all of his people. David’s line will bring about salvation for many.

    Jesus is the answer to that promise. Jesus has conquered the “Goliath” of sin and death. Jesus is the king who delivers. God (as the Holy Spirit) resides in the temple built by Jesus—the temple in the hearts of those who believe.

    It’s all about Jesus.


    Cameron Frank

    Cameron Frank is the Media Pastor at Cherokee Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. He enjoys finding new and exciting ways to use technology and innovations to reach people with the Gospel like never before. In 2017, he founded A Frank Voice with his wife, Hailee as a encouragement ministry to families impacted by fostering. A Frank Voice has since grown into a ministry focused on helping others find freedom and purpose in faith and family.

    http://afrankvoice.com
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