David Loved God

THE STORY chapter #11

(My home church is participating in the study of THE STORY – The Bible As One Continuing Story Of God And His People. Foreword by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. Each week, my Thursday post focuses on our current study chapter.)

Shepherd boy, youngest of eight sons of Jesse from Bethlehem. David became the next leader under God’s direction anointed by the prophet Samuel. He was the second king over Israel, after Saul’s reign ended from his self inflected death. But before David truly reigned as king, he had many battles to conquer.

David said to the Philistine, “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. 1 Samuel 17:45

David volunteered to slay the Philistine’s giant soldier named Goliath. All other Israelites, including king Saul, were dismayed and terrified of the giant. 1 Samuel 17:11. Once David was prepared to fight, he quickly ran toward the battle line to meet his enemy. With a single stone shot from his sling, this young man slew his opponent, and his dedicated journey to serve God began.

King Saul gave David high rank in his army, and David was a very successful leader. The people rejoiced in him. This made Saul jealous, and Saul tried to kill David many times, but failed 1 Samuel 24. David also had opportunities to kill Saul, but “because he (Saul) is the LORD’S anointed,” David always spared Saul’s life.

It was David’s win against the Jebusities in Jerusalem, that added to his great fame.

David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. 2 Samuel 5:9-10

David fortified Jerusalem and became more powerful. His power, however, did not come from victories over adversaries, but from the LORD God Almighty who selected David as ruler, blessing him and all the world with an offspring from David’s lineage, our future Savior Jesus Christ.

“ ‘The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.
He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ” 2 Samuel 7:11-16

David. God.

David was chosen and anointed by God.

David entrusted his life and his whole heart to God.

David was sorry and repented when he sinned against God.

David had respect for other men anointed by God.

David retrieved for Jerusalem the ark of God.

David conquered those who defied God.

David wanted Jerusalem to love God.

David was blessed by God.

David. God.

God.

David, though future choices demonstrate he was an imperfect man, endlessly sought after the heart of God.