How to Learn From the Life of David in the Old Testament

There are probably more lessons we can learn from the life of King David in the Old Testament than many other characters. There are probably so many that it is impossible to focus on everything in one article. Just studying a few of the lessons can be profitable, however.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start reading about David and his life in the Old Testament or look up references in a concordance. Ask God to help you understand what you can from the life of this king of Israel. Take notes. You can start with 1 Samuel 16 through the rest of the book. Other portions of Scripture that contain a major portion of David's life include 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, with 2 Kings largely devoted to a time after David, and 1 and 2 Chronicles. Some of the verses are about the life of David, and some relate to Israel after his death, but a concordance can help you distinguish.

2. When Samuel went to annoint one of the sons of Jesse to be King in Israel, he nor Jesse knew which son would become king. Samuel and Jesse thought God would have chosen one of the other sons because of their appearance or height. God, however, rejected each of the other sons and said he looks on the heart, not at appearance, as man does. The shepherd boy, David, still in the field tending sheep, because nobody thought he could be the one, was chosen to be future king. From this we can learn that whatever God chooses for us, small or great, we can accomplish. It does not matter what others think of us, what we look like, or whether it appears we have great talents or abilities.

3. When Saul was still king, after David had been annointed future king, he constantly tried to kill David. David had the drop on him more than once and had a chance to kill him. His servants even wanted him to. David refused and said he could not touch God's annointed, because Saul had been chosen to be king. From this we can learn a respect for the leaders God has chosen. We can also learn we don't need to get vengence. Leave it up to God. Even though he was living in the Old Testament times, David was practicing the New Testament command taught by Jesus to love your enemies, and the New Testament teaching of Paul, to obey those in authority.

4. David, a little shepherd boy, killed Goliath with a slingshot and a few stones. From this we can learn that we can accomplish whatever God wants us to. We just need to follow wherever he leads and minister where he desires. We need not fear Satan.

5. David, the man called in the Bible "a man after God's own heart," committed adultery with Bathseba. When she became pregnant, David tried to get her husband, a military leader, to spend the night with her, so it would look like her husband was the father. When he would not leave his men, David sent the man, Uriah, to the front of a battle, where he was killed. The man who loved God so much had committed adultery and murder. From this we can learn that no matter what we have done for God, we should not think we are above sin or falling.

6. God forgave David for his sin, but the son born of the adultery died. David's kingdom also never was at peace again, and his own sons tried to take his kingdom. One died. From this we can learn there are consequences for our sin, but God does forgive.

Tips & Warnings

• There are so many references to David it would be too much to do an in-depth study of his life in one day.

[carolstinson]

on 7/4/2008 Great Bible study! The life of David always motivates and encourages me.