Introduction: Bible commentator John Phillips writes, "With the exception of the Lord Jesus, more Scripture is devoted to David than any other individual. He is mentioned in I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, I Chronicles, and seventy-five Psalms. He is the first person named in the New Testament after Christ, and he is the last person named in the New Testament except for Christ. Next to Joseph, David is the most Christ-like man in the Bible." (Exploring the People of the Old Testament, Vol. 2; Phillips, John; page 122.)
If the Bible has this much to say about one individual, then there must be many examples from the life of David in which the person living in the 21st century may benefit. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that the Scriptures are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness." I believe we can see each of these aspects of Scripture's profitability in the life of David.
What lessons does God want you to learn from the life of David?
God wants you to learn that David was:
I. Fearless, vv. I Samuel 17:34-51.
A. David fought with predators (representative of physical dangers), vv. 34 - 36.
1. He went out aggressively, v 35.
2. He went out alone, v. 35a, b.
a. David was determined, v. 35c.
b. David was delivered, v. 36-37.
B. David fought with a Philistine (representative of spiritual dangers), vv. 38-51.
1. David was confident, vv. 38-47.
2. David was champion, vv. 48-51.
Illustration: The commercial begins with a young girl standing alone in a picturesque meadow. The camera then pans to another part of the field where it shows a gigantic African rhinoceros. The ominous beast begins a lethal charge towards the girl, whose serene and happy face remains unmoved. As the rhinoceros gets closer, the words appear on the screen, "Trust is not being afraid." A split second before the rhino tramples the helpless child, it stops, and the girl, her smile never wavering, reaches up and pets the animal on its massive horn. The final words then appear, "even when you are vulnerable."("Unwavering Trust"; Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion; Barrett, David P. ed.; pages 282-283.)
We live in a world full of dangers, both physical and spiritual, but when we place our confidence in God we have no need to fear what life may throw at us. We have not been "given the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
II. Froward, vv. II Samuel 11 - II Samuel 12:12.
A. David was complacent, vv. 11:1.
1. Complacency leads to compromise, v. 11:2.
2. Compromise leads to corruption, vv. 11:3-4
Note: Bathsheba was not entirely innocent, either. She should have been more discreet and aware of her surroundings.
B. David was conniving, vv. 11:5-27.
1. He had a problem, v. 11:5.
2. He had a plan, vv. 11:6-27.
a. We see David and his masquerade, vv. 6-13.
b. We see David and his murder, vv. 14-25.
c. We see David and his marriage, vv. 26-27.
C. David was condemned, vv. II Samuel 12:1-12.
1. The prophetic one gives a speech, vv. 1-4.
2. The pompous one gives a sentence, vv. 5-6.
3. The provident One gives a scolding, vv. 7- 12.
III. Forgiven, vv. Psalm 51:1-12.
A. David was convicted, vv. 1-3.
1. He called out to God, v. 1.
2. He confessed to God, vv. 2-3.
Illustration: The story is told of a governor who was leaving office and wanted to make a good last impression, so he went to the state prison to offer a pardon to a worthy inmate. As he went to each cell asking why he should grant them a pardon, each inmate tried to convince the governor that they were innocent of the charges they were convicted for. Exasperated, the governor was ready to give up when he asked another prisoner why he should be pardoned. The prisoner answered that he was not worthy to be pardoned, because he was guilty of all the charges brought against him and deserved the penalty handed down to him. The governor, moved by the man's honesty and sense of humility, granted this man a pardon of his sentence over all the others who pleaded their innocence. If we plead our innocence before God, He will not pardon us from the penalty of sin. It is when we confess our sins that God will forgive us of our sins.
B. David was contrite, vv. 4-6.
1. He was humble before God, v. 4.
2. He was hopeless before God, v. 5.
3. He was honest before God, v. 6.
C. David was cleansed, vv. 7-12.
1. He wanted to be purified, v. 7.
2. He wanted to be passionate, v. 8.
3. He wanted to be pardoned, v. 9-12.
a. God heard his request, v. 1 John 1:9.
b. God honored his request, v. II Samuel 12:13.
Conclusion:
What lessons does God want you to learn from the life of David?
God wants you to learn that David was:
I. Fearless.
II. Froward.
III. Forgiven.
Application: The Bible gives David the distinct description as a man after God's own heart. No other person in Scripture is depicted in those words. We have seen that David faced his fears head on, relying only on the power of God. David knew he did not have the strength or ability to defeat Goliath, but he knew who did. Are there giants in your life that you have been afraid to face or have tried to defeat them in your own strength? Place your trust in God and He will give you the ability to be victorious.
We also know that David was not perfect. As we have seen, David had flaws just like the rest of us. All of the so-called "giants of the faith" had their shares of shortcomings. Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jacob, and countless others were all great men of God, but they also were far from perfect. In the life of the greatest king Israel has ever known, we can see that God will use people whose heart is perfect towards Him and when, not if, they fall He will forgive them.
A perfect heart is impossible, though, apart from faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross. It does not matter who you are or what you have done, God will forgive you if you will only confess your sins and ask for His forgiveness. Just as in the story of the prodigal son, God is waiting with open arms to receive you, but you must get up out of the mire and come to Him. The
Bible says that God will never leave or forsake us, only that He is waiting.
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