Hall of Faith: David flawed, but faithful

David is described as a man after God’s own heart. {1 Samuel 13:14}, so it is no surprise that he made the Hall of Faith.

Samuel anointed David

We first meet David as a young shepherd boy and watch him grow from a man anointed by God, to a man on the run, to King of Israel, to a man driven by desire and murder, to a man saddened by the loss of his sons and through the end of his life.

The name David means beloved.

To set the stage for our meeting of David, King Saul has angered the Lord. “The Lord said to Samuel…I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” {1 Samuel 16:1}

David played the harp and cymbals

Samuel goes to the house of Jesse, who is the grandson of Ruth and Boaz, and systematically prays through each of his sons. He goes through all of the sons, but God keeps telling him that is not the one. “Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.”  So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”” {1 Samuel 16:10-11}. Jesse tells him that his youngest son is tending sheep. {v.12} Samuel tells Jesse to send for him and we are told that David was “glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.” {v.12} Jesse anoints David and “from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” {1 Samuel 16:13}

An evil spirit came upon King Saul and went to him to play the lyre and harp to calm him. {1 Samuel 16:14-22}

David used faith to kill Goliath

Saul and his men were fighting the Philistines, but everyone was afraid of a giant name Goliath. “David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” {1 Samuel 17:32} Where everyone else was afraid, David leaned on God and “So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” {1 Samuel 17:50}

However, after David slayed Goliath, Saul became jealous of David. Saul became increasingly afraid of David to the point of being paranoid, “Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul.” {1 Samuel 18:12}

David and Jonathan were best friends

David became best friends with Saul’s son, Jonathan. “ And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.” {1 Samuel 18:1}

Saul tested David, “‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” {1 Samuel 18:25} and when David provided more than twice what was asked, he was married to Saul’s daughter, Michal.

However, Saul’s jealousy increased. “David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.” {1 Samuel 18:30} and Saul attempted to kill David, but Michal helped him escape. {1 Samuel 20}

David lived on the run from King Saul

David lived on the run and had multiple chances to kill Saul, but he never did. Saul continued to try to kill David, but the Lord protected him. {1 Samuel 21-1 Samuel 24}

When David asked for refuge from Nabal he refused, but his wife Abigail assisted David. Upon Nabal’s death, David married Abigail. {1 Samuel 25}

David continued to lead his troops {1 Samuel 26-30} and upon King Saul’s death {1 Samuel 31}, David mourned for his friend, Jonathan, and King Saul {2 Samuel 1}. David fought for the throne {2 Samuel 2-4} and was eventually crowned King over Israel {2 Samuel 5}. “David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.” {2 Samuel 5:4}

Upon Saul’s death, David became king

David was a poet and song writer {see the book of Psalms}. He danced before the Ark of the Covenant {2 Samuel 6} and his wife, Michal, despised him. {2 Samuel 6:16}

David cared for Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. {2 Samuel 9}

2 Samuel 11 & 12 tells the well known story of David and Bathsheba. David sees Bathsheba bathing on the roof and calls her to him. When he discovers she is pregnant, he calls Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah home. However, Uriah does not go in to his wife. David sends Uriah back to the front where he is killed. David then takes Bathsheba as his wife, however the prophet, Nathan, confronts him. “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah.” {2 Samuel 12:13} The child dies, but not before David repents and begs God for the life of his child. David and Bathsheba later have more children, including Solomon.

David danced before the ark of covenant

However, David has to deal with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. His son, Amnon, rapes his half-daughter, Tamar {by two different wives}, his son Absalom kills Amnon, {2 Samuel 13} and Absalom rebels {2 Samuel 14-17}.

David dies at the age of 70, after ruling as king for 40 years. He appoints his son, Solomon, as his successor.

What we can learn from the life of David:

1. David proved that God can use anyone
   

   David was immediately drawn to Bathsheba

2. David had to wait for God’s timing
3. David used music to express his heart and help others
4. David worshiped God
5. David danced before the Lord
6. David trusted God and God helped David fight his enemies
7. David proved in his friendship with Jonathan that loyalty is important
8. David could have taken matters in his hand to kill Saul, but waited on God
9. David trusted God to protect him
10. David cared for Jonathan’s son
11. David had consequences for his actions with Bathsheba
12. David had a repentant heart

David reigned as king for 40 years

We know more about David than most of those in the Bible. David showed that he was flawed, but he loved God, trusted God and repented when he sinned. He was a man after God’s heart and lived a life that gave God the glory. However, he also had to suffer the consequences for his actions and those were long reaching.

David was flawed, but faithful and this is why he is listed in the Hall of Faith.