Bible Topics In The Christian Library
 
DAVID, THE KING WHO WALKED HUMBLY BEFORE GOD 

INTRODUCTION: Of the three kings we have studied thus far (Pharoah, Belshazzar, and Saul) all had the same problem. They all were lifted up with pride. This pride eventually destroyed them. One lost his army in the sea. One lost his capitol city and life. One lost his throne and took his own life on a lonely hill. But tonight we will talk about a different king. This king is one who remained loyal throughout his lifeto Jehovah, albeit with several brief lapses of disobedience. He was not destroyed with pride. His name is David, the man after God's own heart. (Acts 13:22) 

BODY

I. GOD SAW IN DAVID THOSE QUALITIES THAT WOULD MAKE FOR
     GREATNESS,  EVEN AT AN EARLY AGE. 

A. Even though Saul was still sitting on the throne, God had already rejected him as King. 
1. I Samuel 15:23-"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king." 
B. God instructed Samuel to annoint a King that God had already chosen. 
1. I Samuel 16:1 
2. He would be different from the choice men would make. 
a. I Samuel 16:7-"Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 
3. I Samuel 16:11-13 
II. DAVID LEANED ON GOD WHEN HE FACED GOLIATH THE GIANT.
     (I SAMUEL CHAPTER 17) 
A. It is a perilous time for the nation of Israel. 
1. The Philistine army were across a valley arrayed against the army of Israel. (verses 1-3) 
2. Goliath was the champion of Philistia. (verses 4-7) 
a. He was a giant of a man, measuring some 11 feet and 4 inches. 
b. All his armour and weapons were in proportion to his size. 
3. He hurled insults against the army of Israel. (verses 8-10) 
B. What was the reaction of the army of Israel? 
1. verse 11-"When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid." 
C. But David was not afraid. 
1. He had been sent to the battle by his father with food for his older brothers who were part of Saul's army. (verses 17-20) 
2. David's declaration. (verse 26) 
3. David is ridiculed by his oldest brother. (verse 28) 
4. David declares his intention to fight Goliath. (verses 29-39) 
5. David goes forth to fight Goliath. (verses 40-50) 
6. The Philistines flee. (verses 51-58) 
D. What gave David this great courage when everyone was so afraid? 
1. He had a deep faith in the eternal God of Israel. 
a. Most commentators believe that David great masterpiece of faith, the twenty third psalm was written when David was a youth, before he met the mighty Goliath in battle. 
2. Psalm 23-"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil;my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" 
3. This great faith can sustain us and give us courage to stand up to all the problems of life. 
a. II Timothy 1:12-"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 
b. I John 5:4-"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 
III. HE TRUSTED GOD TO MAKE A WAY TO HIS PROMISED THRONE. 
A. He had the opportunity to kill Saul but did not. 
1. I Samuel 24:1-12 at the cave of En-gedi 
2. He would not touch God's annointed. 
3. He had respect for God's authority. 
a. He trusted God to make a way to the throne of Israel. 
B. His lament over Saul and Jonathan. 
1. II Samuel 1:7-27 
IV. DURING DAVID'S REIGN HE COULD STILL HUMBLE HIMSELF BEFORE GOD. 
A. His sin with Bathsheba 
1. David is guilty of adultery. 
a. II Samuel 11:4,5 
2. He has Uriah killed. 
a. II Samuel 11:14,15 
3. His rebuke from God. 
a. II Samuel 12:7-12 
4. David's repentance. 
a. verse 13 
b. Psalm 51 
5. Even though he had sinned grievously David was still able to humble himself before God in repentance. 
B. The numbering of the people. 
1. David was lifted up with pride to number his people. 
a. David's strength lay not with numbers of men under arms but on Jehovah God. 
2. Even his general Joab knew the folly of such a venture. 
a. II Samuel 24:3 
3. David is convicted in his heart of his sin. 
a. verse 10 
4. God gives David three choices for punishment. 
a. verses 11-14 
5. David's intercession with God for his people. 
a. verse 17 
CONCLUSION: David's greatness was not in his bravery, even though he was very brave. It was not in the battles that he won, even though he won many. It was not in the glory of his reign, even though he had his share of glory. It was in his willingness to submit to the will of god and to humble his heart in repentance when he sinned. 
 

Copyright 1999 by Grady Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.


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