The Bible contains many characters that are important to us as believers. Some bible characters are known for their negative actions, while others are icons of excellence and good morals. King David is my favourite bible character. His life is an example of a man who God graced; he wasn’t perfect, which is why I love him the more. In this post, I’ll share lessons I learned from his life, weakness and strength. Let’s dig deeper.
David was a shepherd boy from the tribe of Judah. His mother was Nitzevet, while his father was Jesse and his grandfather was obed. David was a teenager when Samuel anointed him after Saul disappointed God. The story of David is written in the Bible from 1 Samuel Chapter 16 to 1 Kings Chapter 2.
David had a heart of service and worship that is commendable. He loved God and worshipped God with his whole heart. Though he wasn’t raised in a poor family, he understood that wealth and fame are privileges given by God.
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David’s Strength
King David’s strength lies in his humility and kindness. He was kind-hearted, and he humbled himself before God and his people. He was a leader who loved to do things that made life easy for his followers. He was never afraid to seek God’s face before making decisions.
David’s Weakness
David’s weakness became evident in his relationship with Bathsheba. He couldn’t control his urge to have sexual relations with her after he saw her bathing. It led him to commit murder. King David story in the bible is a reminder of the importance of self control. It highlights the fact that God sees every secret sin and judgement will be public.
That is why it is essential to go on a journey of self-discovery to turn your weaknesses into strengths.
Important Events in King David’s life
There are events in king David’s life that stood out for me; these are events Christians can learn from without doubt. Let’s go through these events together.
David the Shepherd Boy (1 Samuel 16)
David grew up with his father Jesse; he was a shepherd who tended to his father’s flock without complaint. He spent his day with the herd, which was his preparation time. David took care of his father’s flock with his life. He was willing to die to protect the flock. He fought lions and bears to keep them safe and secured. What a shepherd!
Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” Jesse replied, “There is still one left, the youngest; he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send word and bring him; because we will not sit down [to eat the sacrificial meal] until he comes here.” 1 Samuel 16:11
David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
David is most famous for killing the philistine giant Goliath. Goliath stood nine feet tall, a giant indeed. David was confident enough to face the giant in the name of the Lord. The killing of Goliath brought him to the limelight.
David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18: 1-5)
The love shared between David and Jonathan is beyond words. David was a competition which threatened Jonathan’s ability to become the next king, till His friendship with Jonathan was more potent than a brother’s bond.
When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bonded to the soul of David, and [a]Jonathan loved him as himself. 2 Saul took David that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
1 Samuel 15:1-3
Sparing Saul’s life twice (1 Samuel 24&26)
Saul was after David’s life because Saul wanted to secure the throne of Israel for himself and his generation. Saul tried to kill David many times while David spared Saul’s life twice. This act amazes me and speaks volumes about David’s character.
11 Look, my father! Indeed, see the hem of your robe in my hand! Since I cut off the hem of your robe and did not kill you, know and understand [without question] that there is no evil or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait to take my life.
1 Samuel 24:11
But David said to Abishai, “Do not kill him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed [king] and be guiltless (innocent)?” 10 David also said, “As the Lord lives, most certainly the Lord will strike him [in His own time and way], or his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and be carried off [dead].
1 Samuel 26:9-10
David and Mephibosheth 2 Samuel 9:2
After the death of Jonathan, David adopted the only child left in Saul’s family, who was Mephibosheth Jonathan’s Son. He took care of him and gave him the status of a prince.
And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 Samuel 9:1
David and Bathsheba 2 Samuel 11-12
The story of David and Bathsheba amazes me. Sometimes I wonder why David wasn’t on the battlefront like kings would. He decided to stay home when he should be on the battleground encouraging his troops.
Then it happened in the spring, [a]at the time when the kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all [the fighting men of] Israel, and they destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 11:1-2
While walking around the palace roof, David saw a woman bathing, and he couldn’t get her off his mind, which made him commit adultery. When he found out Bathsheba was pregnant, he tried to push the pregnancy to her husband, but he failed.
David decided to send Uriah to the hottest part of the battle to get him killed, which he succeeded. A sin which grieved God and got David punished.
When Uriah’s wife [Bathsheba] heard that her husband Uriah was dead, she mourned for her husband. 27 And when the time of mourning was past, David sent word and had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done [with Bathsheba] was evil in the sight of the Lord.
2 Samuel 11: 26-27
David in Ziklag (1 Samuel 30)
This event is a good read whenever you need a bible verse to encourage and lift your spirit. David and his men lived in Ziklag; they went to a battle, and before they came back, the enemy had already captured all their wives and children, including their cattle. David and his men were devastated, and they all became sad, and his men even thought of stoning him.
David found strength in God and sought God’s face before deciding desperation. God told him to pursue the enemy, and he recovered all the enemy took from him.
David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought him the ephod. 8 David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band [of raiders]? Will I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue [the captives].”
1 Samuel 30: 7-8
Lessons from King David
Preparation and opportunity yield a great result. God prepared David to kill Goliath. Still, his ability to obey his parent without grumbling allowed him to become the giant slayer.
- Waiting on God pays; David waited on God to bring his word to pass. He didn’t try to do things on his own.
- God truly sees the heart of men.
- God’s love and forgiveness don’t shield us from the consequences of our actions. God forgave David for his sin against Uriah, but he faced the results of his action.
- God rewards faithfulness
- Fear of God and willingness to obey God bring victory
- David was a man who never forgot God even after he had everything. Hence, his everlasting dynasty.
- Loyalty to friendships and commitments.
- He respected the anointed of God
King David from the Bible is a strong bible character; his love for God inspires me. What lessons did you learn from his story? Kindly share in the comments below.
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