David – A Man After God’s Own Heart

Feature 1 –December 2016 — Grace & Truth Magazine

DAVID
A Man After God’s Own Heart

God’s people Israel were delivered from Egypt under Moses and they took possession of the Promised Land under Joshua. Then, after many years of backsliding and attacks by various enemies, they asked for a king like the nations around them (1 Sam. 8:5). God planned to give them His chosen King (Dt. 17:14-20) who would also be a Prophet (18:15-19), but the people wanted a king according to their ideas. Accordingly, God gave them such a one: Saul, whose name means “desired one.”

Within a few years it became clear that Saul was not the man they needed. After Saul failed an important test (1 Sam. 13:8-14), the prophet Samuel communicated to the king that God had found another ruler to be over His people, “a man after His own heart” (v.14). Saul failed another important test, and Samuel told him that God had rejected him (15:23).

Samuel felt sorry for Saul, but when some time had passed God sent His prophet to Jesse1 the Bethlehemite (16:1-5), who was a grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17). Jesse was not from Benjamin, the tribe to which Saul belonged. Rather, he was from Judah, the tribe chosen by God for the kingdom (Gen. 49:8-12). When Samuel arrived to anoint one of Jesse’s sons according to God’s instructions, none of the seven present qualified for this high office even though their outward appearance was appealing to Samuel (1 Sam. 16:1-10). What now? There was one more son, the youngest, a lad by the name of David. He was with the sheep in the fields. They called him, and when David entered the house the Lord confirmed to Samuel that he was the one to be anointed (v.12).

David was Jesse’s eighth son. In Scripture the number eight often represents a new order of things. It indicates that David was completely different compared to Saul or even to David’s own brothers.

David’s Anointing
Being the youngest brother, David may not have been counted worthy to be presented to Samuel. The writer of 1 Samuel briefly reviewed David’s credentials, and they teach us important lessons:

1. David remained in the field (v.11). This may imply that he was left there on purpose. However, the Hebrew word implies the concept of “a remnant,” representing something that the others should be or qualities they should have but had not. God preserves qualities in a remnant that He desires to see in His people.
2. David was feeding the sheep, or “keeping them” (NKJV). This term is used for the first time in Genesis 4:2 and is typical throughout the Scriptures for shepherd care. It implies leading, feeding and protecting the flock. More details are given by David in 1 Samuel 17:34-35.
3. Called home, David was introduced to Samuel. He was “brought in2” (16:12). Applying this lesson to us it suggests a spiritual effort to introduce or bring the Lord Jesus into situations or needs.
4. David had very good physical features. He was “ruddy [a word derived from Adam], with bright eyes [a lovely countenance], and good-looking” (v.12). These elements denote lovely spiritual qualities as we see in perfection in the Lord Jesus.
5. As David was brought in, God told Samuel, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he [the one].” It makes us think of God who opened the heavens over the Lord Jesus when the Holy Spirit descended to anoint Him (Acts 10:38). The Father said, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17). Throughout the Bible, anointing is in view of a public service for God.
6. “Then Samuel took the horn3 of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers” (1 Sam. 16:13). David had become the center as soon as he was brought in, and then they all sat around4 the table according to Samuel’s instructions (v.11). Later, David became the center of attraction, the center of gathering and the center of other things. Likewise the Lord Jesus is pleased to be “in the midst” of those gathered to, or because of, His Name.
7. “The Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (v.13). The anointing5 with oil symbolized this: God put His seal on David as the Holy Spirit came on him. John the Baptist identified the Lord Jesus according to God’s instructions when the Spirit came and remained on Him (Jn. 1:32-34).
8. All these things (1 Sam. 16:11-13) are linked to the meal that was provided by the peace-offering, the heifer brought by Samuel and sacrificed (vv.2,5). In connection with the Lord’s Supper, we are occupied with the Lord Jesus Christ and contemplate Him in many different aspects of His person and work.

Applying these points for today we can see in them illustrations for the believers gathered to the Name of the Lord Jesus (Mt. 18:20). He is the Shepherd, the Anointed One, the Center, the Sacrifice and so much more.

The Skill And Features Of David
When Saul was tormented by an evil spirit his servants suggested he find a skillful player on the harp for relief. One of Saul’s servants gave a beautiful testimony of David: “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him” (1 Sam. 16:18). At least seven special features are contained in this remarkable testimony. These points were demonstrated in David’s life, showing their value.

1. David was the “son of Jesse the Bethlehemite,” implying a relationship with the LORD and linking with Bethlehem, the “house of food” or “bread.”
2. David is “skillful in playing” on strings, which were often used with singing and to express a response to God or man.
3. The phrase “mighty man of valor” implies that David had qualities of an “overcomer,” as had his great-grandparents, Boaz and Ruth. The Hebrew word chayil, sometimes translated as “virtuous,” is used for both of them (Ruth 2:1, 3:11, 4:11).
4. As a warrior or a fighter, David was called “a man of war.” He was able to take on the enemy. Today we need to put on the complete armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) in order to be overcomers – men and women after God’s heart.
5. “Prudent in speech” implies that David spoke with understanding. For us to do so we need “the wisdom from above” (Jas. 3:17).
6. “Handsome” refers to David’s outward appearance, as was the case with Joseph in Potiphar’s house (Gen. 39:6).
7. Perhaps the most important point in this testimony is “the LORD is with him.” This was also the case with Joseph during adverse circumstances (Gen. 39:3,21). Peter, speaking in Cornelius’ home at Caesarea, mentioned this exact point: God was with the Lord Jesus during His public ministry (Acts 10:38). May it be so for us in whatever we do for Him!

The Beloved
David’s name means “beloved,” and we have a whole list of persons who loved him. This implies various lessons or challenges for us today.

1. The Lord must have loved David as He observed and wrote about him. We read of one of David’s sons, Solomon, that the LORD loved him (2 Sam. 12:24; 1 Chr. 22:9).
2. King Saul, initially loved David greatly (1 Sam. 16:21), when David “stood before him” and entered his service. He brought relief to Saul with his playing on the harp, and became his armor-bearer. However, Saul’s love turned into anger and jealousy when women credited David with slaying ten thousands and Saul with thousands (1 Sam. 18:6-8).
3. Saul’s son Jonathan, the crown prince, loved David “as his own soul” (1 Sam. 18:1, 20:17; 2 Sam. 1:23) after David’s victory over Goliath, a battle that Jonathan and/or his father should have fought. Jonathan made a covenant with David and gave him the tokens of his dignity: his sword, bow and belt. His sandals are not mentioned, possibly indicating that, ultimately, Jonathan would not follow David. Rather, Jonathan remained with his father, leading to Jonathan’s untimely death. Still, Jonathan is a beautiful type of the Jewish believers who recognize the Lord Jesus as the Messiah.
4. Israel and Judah loved David (1 Sam. 18:16) but their love to him fluctuated in contrast to Jonathan’s unwavering love.
5. Saul’s daughter Michal loved David, but it was a natural love (vv.20,28), for she had no appreciation of David’s love for the Lord and His interests (2 Sam. 6:16,20-23).
6. Saul’s servants also loved David, at least in the beginning. Later, under Saul’s pressure they did not dare to take David’s side and oppose Saul. Nevertheless, more and more of Saul’s servants went over to David (see 1 Chr. 12:1-2). As a result, Saul lost his archers, which turned out to be fatal for him in his last battle against the Philistines, when their archers attacked King Saul. Without a proper defense he was killed (1 Sam. 31:3; read David’s lament in 2 Sam. 1).
7. Hiram, the king of Tyre, loved David (1 Ki. 5:1). Hiram recognized that the Lord loved David’s people and he offered to send materials to Solomon for the construction of the temple (2 Chr. 2:11-13).

Conclusion
The above points are a few highlights linked to David, the man after God’s heart. They are recorded by God’s Spirit in His Word for our edification and encouragement. We are reminded that David is often a type of the Lord Jesus, David’s greater Son, and although David failed on many occasions, the Lord never did.

David is sometimes a type of the believers. His failures teach us many lessons of warning, correction and encouragement. He is also a type of the believing remnant of Jewish believers who will live after the rapture of the Church (1 Th. 4:14-18) and who will have to go through great trials (Rev. 6-7, 14-15). Many psalms and prophecies refer to them and to the great tribulation they will go through.

A large quantity of books have been written about David as a shepherd, warrior and man of God. Studies have been or still could be written of him as a young man – as in this article – or of him as a husband, father, elderly man, statesman, general, spiritual leader and a number of other positions. All these would provide many lessons for us as well, both negative and positive.

We should not forget that the first person mentioned in the New Testament and in connection with the Lord Jesus is David, called “the king” (Mt. 1:1, 6). The last time his name occurs is in Revelation 22:16. Significantly, his name is often linked to the future kingdom in Israel (Ezek. 37:24).

ENDNOTES
1. The name Jesse occurs 42 (6x7) times in the Hebrew Bible. His name probably means “I possess.”
2. The phrase “and he was brought in” occurs seven times in the Hebrew Bible, but it is not always translated this way (Gen. 29:13; Jud. 19:21; 1 Sam. 16:12; 2 Ki. 4:2; 2 Chr. 25:23, 36:4; Ezek. 17:4).
3. When Samuel anointed Saul as king he used a flask or bottle (1 Sam. 10:1), which is breakable. It indicated that Saul’s kingdom could be broken. Indeed, it was taken away from him because of his unfaithfulness. To anoint David, Samuel used a horn, a symbol of lasting strength. It may have been taken from the sacrificed heifer.
4. Samuel said, “For we will not sit down till he comes here” (v.11). The Hebrew implies to “sit around” as in a circle.
5. The word “Messiah” means “Anointed One,” and it is from the same root as the words “unction” and “anointing.” Altogether, words from this root occur 70 times in the Hebrew Bible. In the New Testament this word is “Christ,” “Anointed One,” from the Greek Christos.

By Alfred Bouter

David’s Greater Son, The Son Of God The coming of the Son into the world was not for the purpose of condemnation; the law of Moses had already brought that in very effectively. He came to save. The godly in Israel expected the raising up of “an horn of salvation” in the house of David that would save them from their enemies (Lk. 1:68-71), but this is something much greater. The salvation is from sin and its effects, and the scope of it is the world.

Still, though, the Son of God had not come to earth with the object of condemning. His presence here did incidentally bring condemnation inasmuch as He is the Light, and light makes everything manifest. Therefore He brings all men to the test. Light acts in illumination and manifestation, and in its presence man reacts in one of two ways. If he is a doer of evil he loves darkness and hates light because it reproves him. But if he is a doer of truth he welcomes the light and comes to it. —Frank B. Hole, The Gospel Of John