A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART - King David was a great military conqueror, but he could not conquer himself. King David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed. Although King David fathered Solomon, he was also the father of Absalom, whose rebellion brought bloodshed and grief. He left us an example of the passionate love of God and dozens of psalms. David's example teaches us that honest self-examination is necessary to recognize our own sin, and then we must repent for it. We may try to fool ourselves or others, but we cannot hide our sin from God. Even though God always offers forgiveness, we cannot escape the consequences of our sin. David's life proves this.

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A Man After God's Own Heart

Meet King David

Profile of King David, Father of Solomon

by Jack Zavada

King David was a man of contrasts.

At times he was single-mindedly devoted to God, yet at other times he failed miserably, committing some of the most serious sins recorded in the Old Testament.

David lived a frustrating life, first in the shadow of his brothers, then constantly on the run from vengeful King Saul.

Even after he became king of Israel, David was engaged in almost constant warfare to defend the kingdom.

King David was a great military conqueror, but he could not conquer himself. He allowed one night of lust with Bathsheba, and it had disastrous consequences in his life.

Although King David fathered Solomon, one of Israel's greatest kings, he was also the father of Absalom, whose rebellion brought bloodshed and grief.

His life was a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows.

He left us an example of the passionate love of God and dozens of psalms, some of the most touching, beautiful poetry ever written.

King David's Accomplishments

David killed Goliath, champion of the Philistines when he was only a youth and Goliath a giant and veteran warrior.

David was victorious because he trusted not in himself, but in God for the victory.

In battle, David killed many of Israel's enemies. But he refused to kill King Saul, despite several opportunities.

Saul, God's first anointed king, pursued David out of mad jealousy for years, but David would not raise a hand against him.

David and Saul's son Jonathan became friends, like brothers, setting a model of friendship that everyone can learn from.

And as a model of faithfulness, King David is included in the "Faith Hall of Fame" in Hebrews 11.

David was an ancestor of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who was often called "Son of David."

Perhaps David's greatest accomplishment was to be called a man after God's own heart by God himself.

Strengths

David was courageous and strong in battle, trusting in God for protection.

He remained loyal to King Saul, despite Saul's crazed pursuit.

Throughout his entire life, David loved God deeply and passionately.

Weaknesses

King David committed adultery with Bathsheba.

He then tried to cover up her pregnancy, and when he failed with that, he had her husband Uriah the Hittite killed.

The was perhaps the greatest transgression of David's life.

When he took a census of the people, he willfully violating God's command not to do that.

King David was often lax, or absent as a father, not disciplining his children when they needed it.

Life Lessons

David's example teaches us that honest self-examination is necessary to recognize our own sin, and then we must repent for it.

We may try to fool ourselves or others, but we cannot hide our sin from God.

Even though God always offers forgiveness, we cannot escape the consequences of our sin. David's life proves this.

But God highly values our faith in him. Despite life's ups and downs, the Lord is ever-present to give us comfort and help.

Hometown

David hails from Bethlehem, the City of David in Jerusalem.

Reference to King David in the Bible

King David's story runs from 1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 2.

David wrote much of the book of Psalms and is also mentioned in Matthew 1:1, 6, 22, 43-45; Luke 1:32; Acts 13:22; Romans 1:3; and Hebrews 11:32.

Occupation

David was a shepherd, warrior, and king of Israel.

Family Tree

Father - Jesse
Brothers - Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, four unnamed others.
Wives - Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah, Bathsheba.
Sons - Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet.
Daughter - Tamar

Key Verses

"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

“So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” 1 Samuel 17:50 (NIV)

“As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" 1 Samuel 18:7-8 (NIV)

“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV)

“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die.’" 2 Samuel 12:12-13 (NIV)

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6 (NIV)

Jack Zavada

·   Created and manages and blogs at Inspiration-For-Singles.com

·   Published several books about Christian lifestyle topics

·   Contributes to numerous self-growth and Christian-based websites

·   Former newspaper reporter, technical editor, and public relations director

Experience

Jack Zavada is a former writer for ThoughtCo who concentrates his contribution on Christian topics and lifestyle. Jack began his 45-year career as a police and government newspaper reporter and Associated Press wire editor. He later served as a technical editor at the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL). Other positions held include being a publications editor and a communications director.

As a writer, Jack focuses his work into three genres, Christian lifestyles, self-help, and western fiction. Other than his work for ThoughtCo, Jack also contributes to several Christian-focused websites including Bible-Reflections.net, SelfGrowth.com, LivingWordBaptist.net, JustMeCatholicFaith.com, and WZAKClevland.com. Jack created, manages and blogs at his website Inspiration-For-Singles.com. The site also serves as a platform for marketing his self-help eBooks. He also writes and publishes western fiction under the pen name of Calder Boone.

Education

Jack Zavada earned a Master Arts (M.A.) in English Composition and a Bachelor Science (B.S.) in English literature, both from Illinois State University.

Awards and Publications

·   Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges(Pine Cone Press, 1st edition, 2017)

·   Outsmarting Loneliness (Pine Cone Press, 2012)

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.https://www.thoughtco.com/king-david-man-after-gods-heart-701169