1 Samuel 13:8-14

Introduction:

1. David lived a life of peaks and valleys with remarkable successes and mind-boggling failures.

2. His good choices positively impacted the entire nation of Israel.

3. His poor choices negatively impacted the entire nation of Israel.

4. A holistic view of David’s life offers many valuable lessons for God’s people in any age as he was “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).

Discussion:

I. Highs and Lows in David’s Life

A. High points in David’s life.

1. One major high point of David’s life was his defeat of the Philistine giant, Goliath (1 Sam. 17).

2. Unification of the nation was another high point (2 Samuel 5:1-4).

B. Low points in David’s life

1. The census in 2 Samuel 24 was a destructive low.

2. He failed to discipline Amnon for raping Tamar, so Absalom murdered Amnon which wrecked all three (2 Samuel 13:14-29).

3. The lowest point of David’s life was obviously his adultery with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband (2 Samuel 11).

C. How can a man with such failings be a man after God’s own heart?

II. Characteristics of a Man After God’s Own Heart

A. David Loved God’s Word (Psalms 19:7-11).

1. Jesus loved God’s Word (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; 5:17-19).

2. We must love His Word (John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

B. David was a prayerful man; many psalms were prayers (Psalms 86; 2 Samuel 7:18-29).

1. Jesus was a prayerful man (Luke 5:16; Matthew 6:5-15; 26:36-44).

2. Christians must be prayerful people (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6-7).

C. David loved to praise God (Psalms 65:1; 92:1-2).

1. Jesus loved to praise God (Matthew 11:25-26; 26:30).

2. Christians must love to praise God (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13).

D. David loved unity among God’s people (2 Samuel 5:1-5; Psalms 133:1-3).

1. Jesus loved unity among God’s people (John 17:20-23).

2. We must love unity among God’s people (Ephesians 4:1-3; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10).

E. David was penitent (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalms 51).

1. Jesus had no need to be penitent because He was sinless (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:22).

2. However, we all have sinned and must repent (Acts 17:30; 1 John 1:8-9).

F. David was merciful (1 Samuel 24, 26; 2 Samuel 19:16-23).

1. Jesus was merciful (Matthew 9:36; Acts 10:38).

2. Christians must be merciful (Matthew 5:43-48; 6:14-15; 18:21-35).

III. David’s Theological Impact

A. David enjoys a lofty place in the biblical record.

1. Described as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22)

2. God’s promised blessings would come through a Branch of David (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15).

3. It was upon David’s throne the Messiah would reign (Luke 1:32; 2 Samuel 7:12-17).

4. For this, Jesus was called the “Son of David” (Matthew 1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 22:41-46).

B. Yet, he is portrayed in a purely honest light, sins and all.

C. We should be grateful God judges the whole body of our lives, not point actions.

D. If we are as honest, and penitent as David, we can always find forgiveness.

Conclusion:

1. From a humble shepherd boy to the pattern for a faithful king in Israel, David’s life was one of the most consequential in history.

2. From whatever circumstances you or I come, the Lord can shape our lives to His glory and our good.

3. Thank the Lord for stories like that of king David to give hope to the hopeless such as we.