David was a man after God's own heart. He was Israel's second and greatest king. As a warrior he subdued the nations around him. As a youth he defended his father's sheep from bears and lions with only his staff, becoming the fore type of Christ, the Good Shepherd. He killed the giant Goliath with his slingshot and his faith. He gave the credit for all his victories to God who had strengthened his hands and feet. Even though King Saul sought his life, David lived as an outlaw leader in the hill country and sought refuge among the gentiles rather than take the life of a king anointed by God. David waited for God to put him on the throne of Israel as He had promised.
After he ascended the throne, David made Jerusalem the center of Hebrew political and religious life. He brought the ark of the covenant to the city and organized the worship there. He wrote many of the Psalms, made plans for the Temple, and gathered materials together so that his son might build a home for God there. God did not want his Temple built by one who had shed blood and David was a warrior. But, because David sought to please God, he was promised that a descendent - Jesus Christ - would sit on his throne forever.
After he died it was written of him that he "had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not disobeyed any of his commandments all his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite" (I Kings 15:5-6).
1 Sam 15 - 2 Sam 24; I Kings 1-2; I Chron 10-29
All scripture quotes are from the REB Bible unless otherwise indicated.
Comments© 1998 by Suzetta Tucker
To cite this page:
Tucker, Suzetta. "Jesse Tree Advent Calendar - December 15
- David." ChristStory Christian Bestiary. 1997. http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/15david.htm
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