Characters

David

Heroes in BibleForce

Known As

From Shepherd to King & Slayer of Goliath

Lessons in the BibleFroce Bible

Where in the Bible?

The Books of Samuel, Psalms and Acts

Stories in the BibleFroce Bible

Did You Know

The name David means “beloved” and King David was certainly beloved by his people and by God.

Bio – David

c. 10th century BC

David was a shepherd boy, and the youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem. With seven healthy brothers all older than him, he seemed an unlikely choice when Samuel the prophet turned up to anoint the future king of Israel. But God told Samuel not to judge by appearances.

David showed his courage and determination when he took on the mighty Philistine champion Goliath in one to one combat. When none of the Israelite soldiers were brave enough to face the giant warrior, David took up his sling and five smooth stones and faced Goliath without fear, knowing that God would be by his side.

Saul was initially appreciative of David, but grew suspicious and jealous when David’s popularity began to outstrip his own. On more than one occasion, Saul tried to kill David, but in spite of the king’s bitterness and animosity, when David himself had the opportunity to harm Saul, he chose not to, showing remarkable forgiveness and mercy. It was clear that despite Saul’s ill treatment of him, David still felt love for the king, and especially for his son, Jonathan, who had been like a brother to him. David wept when he heard of their deaths.

David’s love for God knew no bounds—when he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he danced and sang praises to the Lord, drawing censure from his wife, Michal. He rejected her criticism, saying that he was happy to embarrass himself it if was pleasing to God.

In his relationship with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his officers, David transgressed deeply, and was duly punished by God. Yet when David showed true contrition, God forgave him. Beginning with Solomon, all future kings of Israel would be descendants of David, but when God promised David that a descendant of his would rule on the throne forever, he was speaking of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Though he started life as a humble shepherd boy, David would go on to become the second king of Israel, and the founder of Jerusalem. He showed not only political awareness and strong leadership skills, but also mercy towards his enemies. David did make mistakes, but always turned to God and trusted him. The name David means “beloved” and King David was certainly beloved by his people and by God. He was regarded as possibly the greatest of the kings of Israel. He was also a renowned poet, and many of the Psalms are attributed to him.

Copyright ©2020 International Publishing Services (IPS) Sydney Australia

David - From Shepherd to King & Slayer of Goliath

Bible Verses About David

1 Samuel 16:7

But 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 17:45-47

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. . . . Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

2 Samuel 7:20-22

You, Lord God, know Your servant. For Your word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them. Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

2 Samuel 22:29-31

“For You are my lamp, O Lord;
The Lord shall enlighten my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop;
By my God I can leap over a wall.
As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

2 Samuel 22:33

“God is my strength and power,
And He makes my way perfect.”

Psalm 18:1-3

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.

Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

Acts 13:22-23

“He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus.”

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