David, A Man

After God’s

Own Heart

Bob Harding

Table of Contents

Lesson LESSON TITLE Page

1 The Shepherd………………………………………................................ 3

2 In Saul’s Court..…………………………………………………………. 9

3 Running From Saul.........………………………………………….........16

4 David As King.............................……………………………………... 22

5 The Decline Of David’s Kingdom…………….……............................. 24

David, A Man After God’s Own Heart

THE SHEPHERD – Part 1

A. The Bible tells the story of a 17 year old that lived about 1,000 B.C.

1. 1 Sam 13:14: He was first described by God as, “a man after His own heart.”

1) Acts 13:22: In Paul’s sermon at Antioch, in which he briefly recounts the history of Israel, he refers to the statement made by God concerning David:

“I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.”

B. This beautiful compliment is one that should characterize every person who wears the name of Christ.

1. We know more about the details of his life than any other O.T. character (more written).

1) Abraham: 14 chapters.

2) Joseph: 14 chapters.

3) Jacob 11 chapters.

4) Elijah 10 chapters.

2. David was the youngest of 8 sons of Jesse (1 Sam 16:10).

1) He was a great-grandson of Ruth (Ruth 4:17).

2) He was a shepherd, musician, poet, soldier, fugitive, and king.

3. His life can be divided into 5 sections:

1) Shepherd (1 Sam 16-17).

2) In Saul’s Court (1 Sam 18-20).

3) Running from Saul (1 Sam 21-2 Sam 1).

4) David as King (2 Samuel).

5) The Decline of David’s Kingdom (2 Sam 11-1 Kings 2:3).

C. Most are familiar with the stumbling of David, particularly his MID-LIFE CRISIS and the very poor way he dealt with it.

1. Many have trouble understanding how he could be put forth as such a positive example.

1) Of course, never is David commended for these things.

2) In fact, God dealt with David out of His displeasure and David suffered many awful consequences for his sins.

3) It was God that David forsook and betrayed.

2. An important lesson in this is that even the most faithful of us can fall.

1) Therefore need to let our commitment, faith and love for God be at the forefront of our actions, words and thoughts everyday through all the STAGES of our lives.

3. But let us notice what David had as a young man that is worthy and impressive, and what probably ultimately saved him later when he got into deep trouble.

1) David’s dreams crumbled in disappointment and struggle.

2) He remembered what he had been and what he once had, and wanted it back.

3) What happened to his intimate relationship with God?

4) It grew, as David adored God and trusted Him in spite of all his problems.

4. The purpose of a series of lessons is to consider the kind of man David was that made him a man after God’s own heart (what are the characteristics?)

1) His fears are our fears, his trials are our trials, his faith can be our faith.

2) Lesson to young people – How to develop a strong faith.

I. DAVID: THE SHEPHERD (1 Sam 16-17)

A. 1 Sam 16:11, 18: “the LORD was with him.”

1. His preparation years as a shepherd made him great.

1) He practiced with a sling.

2) History – shepherds took harps with them (nothing to do).

* Harps were one string instruments that made many different sounds.

* Amos 6:5: David invented new instruments – one with 10 strings.

3) 1 Sam 17:34-37: He killed a lion and a bear to protect the sheep.

2. David’s faith in God is developed: relationship, dependence, worship, praise.

1) Much of his early life was to express itself in the psalms that he wrote and sang.

2) David’s faith in God was made strong by his experiences out on the lonely Judean hillsides.

3) For his pleasure and adoration did he meditate upon God’s world.

B. Ps 8: Song of God’s greatness or The Lord of man’s world.

1. The psalm tells of the splendor of nature and the dignity of man.

C. Ps 19: has been described as a song of meditation and prayer.

1. It tells of God’s two great books – Nature and Scripture.

1) 1-6: Nature declares the GLORY of God (Rom 1:20).

* If only man can know the wonders of God, how they would praise Him.

2) 7-11: Scripture declares the WILL of God.

* How perfect was “The law of the LORD” in every field.

3) 12-14: The servant of the LORD.

* The perfection of God’s world and God’s word made David aware of his own imperfections.

* Do I thoroughly understand my faults?

* Are there some unknown qualities that might be displeasing to God?

* Is it possible that I might be presumptuous with God?

* David searched his heart and his ways.

* Law can discover sin, but not remove them.

* Prayer alone is not enough without the actions to follow.

D. Ps 23: Describes God as David’s shepherd and himself as a sheep.

1. This Psalm was written later when he was running from King Saul.

1) David never forgot the low state that God brought him out of to the level of being king of Israel.

2) He killed a lion and bear to protect the sheep.

3) Now David could say – “The LORD is my shepherd.”

4) God will care for him as he cared for sheep.

5) Nothing deterred him from God the Shepherd.

2. Ps 23: God is the PERFECT…

1) 1: Shepherd – Source.

2) I shall not want – Provider, Satisfaction.

3) 2: Rest, Peace, Refreshment.

4) 3: He restores my soul – Healer, Psychologist.

5) He guides

6) 4: You are with me – Company.

7) Rod…and…staff…comfort me – Protection, Discipline.

8) 5: Anointed – Sanctifies.

9) 6: Follow me… - Future!

E. If we were in a quiet wilderness, would we be like David?

1. Well – his brothers had the same opportunities he had.

1) What made the difference? Not environment, not location.

2) But the difference was David’s HEART.

3) This was no mediocre walk, not lukewarm.

4) He wanted the companionship of God more than anything.

2. Would we be different if we changed our job? Home? Schedule?

1) If we do not hunger for God now, we would not elsewhere, because we take our hearts with us.

2) Most people do not need a change of scenery – but a change of heart!

F. As a young boy, working in the fields, tending and feeding “his father’s flock (sheep)” (1 Sam 17:15) taught him responsibility.

1. He did it honorably – He protected his father’s property.

1) At an early age he was involved in FAMILY DUTIES (didn’t harm him).

2) Children who don’t learn DISCIPLINE AND WORK habits early in life are cheated.

2. Parents need to take time to teach and train their children to share responsibilities in the family.

1) Parents who had hard times growing up, say, “I’m going to make it better for my children.”

2) Children are not better off if parents fail to teach and demonstrate the value of work!

3) In fact, parents may be doing them a great disservice!

G. 1 Sam 8:5-9; 9:1-2: The people of Israel wanted a king.

1. They got one after their own heart.

1) Saul was man’s kind of king.

2) 16:1: When Saul disobeyed God – God “rejected him from being king…”

3) God told Samuel that one of Jesse’s sons has been chosen to be king.

2. 16:6-7: Samuel thought Jesse's son, Eliab was the obvious choice.

1) But God was looking for something else – not mere outward appearance.

2) God was searching the hearts of Jesse's sons.

3) 10: Seven sons passed before Samuel, but none of them was God's choice.

3. 11: Jesse called his youngest son, David, who was keeping the sheep.

1) David proved himself to be a courageous and faithful man.

2) He respected and trusted God.

3) A man after God’s own heart puts GOD FIRST and himself second.

4) Mark 12:30: Loves God with whole heart, soul, mind and strength.

5) A man after God’s own heart does things God’s way – not his own way.

4. 12-13: He was God's choice and Samuel anointed David in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.

1) ONE PROBLEM: Saul is still king – Big man in the crowd.

2) He is not going to give up the throne easily.

3) David goes back to shepherding sheep.

4) He won’t reign as king until he is 30.

5) A man after God’s own heart is patient.

H. 1 Sam 17: The next major event is the story of David and Goliath.

1. 17:1-3: Saul and Israel gathered for battle against the Philistines.

1) Goliath was the champion of the Philistines.

2) 4: His height was 6 cubits and a span - about 9 ½ feet tall.

3) 5: Scale armor made of bronze weighed 125 - 200 pounds.

4) 6: Shin guards, javelin.

5) 7: His spearhead weighed 25+ pounds.

6) Shield carrier.

2. 17:8-10, 16: Goliath came out every morning and evening for 40 days and taunted (trash talk) Israelites to choose a man to fight him.

1) The side of the loser would become the servants of the winning side.

2) 11: Saul and his soldiers were dismayed and greatly afraid.

3) No one would dare confront Goliath – His taunts were demoralizing.

3. 17:12-18: David was sent by his father to check in on and deliver supplies to his brothers who served in the army and had followed Saul to battle.

1) 20-30: When David gets there he saw Goliath taunting the Israelites and asks about what had been going on – his brothers ridiculed him.

2) 31-33: David, upon hearing the challenges issued, displayed courage and faith. David's God would give him victory.

3) David sought for permission from King Saul to face the Philistine champion.

4) Saul was somewhat reluctant to send a young shepherd to face a seasoned warrior.

4. 34-37: To convince Saul, David said “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you.” (37).

1) One wonders if Saul would have been as willing to give permission if not for the fact he was very desperate.

2) Desperate times call for desperate measures.

3) Ironically, unknown to Saul, David has already been declared to be the next king of Israel.

5. 17:38-41: David rejected Saul's armor, which was probably a wise tactical decision.

1) If Goliath got that close, David's armor probably would not have been much help.

2) Dressed as a shepherd David took his staff and five smooth stones for his sling.

3) 42-44: Goliath continued his taunts.

4) 45-47: David replied.

5) 48-51: As Goliath approached David, David ran quickly toward the battle line, put a stone in his sling and slung it, struck the Philistine on his forehead and killed him.

6) 52-58: The Israelites pursued the Philistines and defeated them.

CONCLUSION

1. Application: A single act of one young man influenced the whole nation to obey God.

1. Just because things didn’t go his way – the situation wasn’t what he wanted it to be.

1) But knew that the LORD is his Shepherd.

2. We also learn that we can do whatever God commands.

1) 47: David: “The battle is the LORD’S” – We are just His instruments.

2) The question is not whether we CAN do what God commands, but whether we WILL do what God commands.

2. Why is it important to be a man or woman after God’s own heart?

1. To be a person after God’s own heart is to keep God’s commandments.

1) We must keep God’s commandments to be saved (Heb 5:9; 1 Pet 1:22).

2) Therefore we must be a person after God’s own heart to be saved (Mark 12:30-31).

David, A Man After God’s Own Heart

DAVID IN SAUL’S COURT – Part 2

INTRODUCTION

A. There are 5 major parts to David’s life – Shepherd, Running from Saul, King.

1. As we look at the major events in David’s life – we learn how to act under certain conditions – particularly adverse conditions.

1) What are the characteristics of a man after God’s own heart?

B. Review:

1. Shepherd.

1) Prepared his heart – poet, musician, sling, killed a lion and a bear, proven character.

2) Anointed king – But David doesn’t reign as king until he is 30 years old.

3) Defeated Goliath – Courage – Victory of faith.

I. DAVID IN SAUL’S COURT (1 Sam 18-20) – ENDURANCE OF FAITH.

A. 17:55-58: David is rewarded for killing Goliath.

1. 18:4: Jonathan gave David his armor including his sword, bow and belt.

1) 18:5: Saul gave David battles which led to success.

2) 18:6-7: David is getting all the glory, becoming popular.

B. 18:8: Saul becomes jealous (recalls being rejected as king).

1. 18:9: Jealously leads to anger – suspicious of motives.

1) 18:10-11: Saul set out to kill David – escapes Saul twice that day.

2) 18:12: Saul was afraid of David for the Lord was with him.

3) Saul was separated from God – David was at peace with God.

4) Saul was fearful – David was courageous.

5) 18:14: David prospered in all his ways.

6) 18:15: Saul dreaded that David was prospering (mark of jealousy, envy).

2. 18:17: Saul gives David his oldest daughter as a wife (loved her?)