Bulletin Articles
David
David 
David and Saul: 1 Samuel 16
God rejected Saul and chose to replace him with David, a man after God’s own heart. David was not chosen because of his stature or looks, but because of his heart. Even before David officially became king, Samuel anointed him as the next king over Israel.
Saul’s troubles kept increasing. The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an “evil spirit” was terrorizing him. Saul’s servants suggested that he seek someone who could help calm him with music. Saul agreed, and they brought David to him. David was a shepherd, described by Saul’s servants as “a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him” (1 Sam. 16:18).
Saul initially grew to love David. When he became depressed, David would play for him and the evil spirit would depart. Unfortunately, Saul would eventually turn against David in fits of rage, attempting to kill him. However, David would ultimately prevail and become the next king over Israel.
David and Goliath: 1 Samuel 17
The Philistines continually challenged the children of Israel. Both armies were camped on opposite sides of the valley of Elah. The Philistines sent their champion, Goliath, to taunt the Israelites, and they were fearful of him. Goliath’s challenge was that the Israelites should send one of their men out to fight against him. Whoever would win, the other people would become servants.
Meanwhile, David was sent by his father to bring some supplies to his brothers, who were camped with Israel. When he arrived, he saw what Goliath was doing. He was dismayed by Israel’s response, and he determined that he would go out and face Goliath. “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” He knew this was God’s battle.
The men of Israel did not think David could fight Goliath, but David convinced them and Saul finally conceded. David went to the brook where he picked out five smooth stones for his sling. Goliath was insulted that they sent David out, but David’s confidence in God was unshaken: “This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you ... that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”
David took a stone, slung it, and struck Goliath in the forehead. Goliath fell to the ground, and David took Goliath’s own sword and removed his head with it. The Philistines fled, and David’s reputation began to grow.
David and Jonathan: 1 Samuel 18-20
Jonathan, Saul’s, became a close friend to David. Though Saul liked David at first, he became jealous and suspicious of David, even trying to kill him. Through all of this, Jonathan and David remained very close. Jonathan helped David escape from Saul, and spoke highly of David in Saul’s presence. Even so, Saul was determined to kill David. David had married Michal, Saul’s daughter, and she also helped David. Jonathan came to David’s side, vowing to do anything that David asked. They worked out a plan to determine Saul’s intentions, but it was clear that Saul wouldn’t stop.
The friendship that existed between David and Jonathan is expressed again in 1 Samuel 20:17. “Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.” It was this brotherly love that they had for one another that caused Jonathan to defend David against Saul. Jonathan later died in battle with his father.
King David: 2 Samuel 1-12
After Saul’s death, David returned to Judah and was established as king. At first, his capital was in the city of Hebron, but later moved to Jerusalem. David’s reign became the standard for future kings of Israel. God was with him, and established his throne over the people (2 Sam. 7:9). While David reigned, the borders of Israel grew and the nation was blessed.
David was not without his problems. Though he was a man after God’s heart, he still sinned in some terrible ways. For instance, he was responsible for the debacle of trying to move the ark on a new cart (2 Sam. 6). Yet the most notable sin of David was his adultery with Bathsheba, then trying to cover it by having her husband, Uriah, killed in battle. Because of his sins, David was severely rebuked and suffered serious consequences the rest of his life.
The defining characteristic of David was that he always returned to God. He did not let his pride ruin him forever. He repented of his sins and still was a great king. Before the end of his life, he arranged for a temple to be built, paving the way for Solomon to complete it. Ultimately, David’s legacy would be complete in Jesus Christ, as God promised:
“When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam. 7:12-13).
