Our Emmaus Road: A King Like David

1 Samuel 16:1–13 NKJV

1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.” 4 So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Passage

Prayer

Introduction

David and the Language of Biblical Typology

The biblical account of David spans 1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 2, 1 Chronicles 2, 3, and 10–29, plus titles of many psalms.

Jonathan Edwards described biblical typology with a memorable expression: “Types are a certain sort of language, as it were, in which God is wont to speak to us.”

That description provides an important starting point for understanding David as a type of Jesus Christ.

A language is not a collection of unrelated words. It has vocabulary, patterns, grammar, and idioms

It is a characteristic way in which its words fit together to communicate meaning.

Edwards believed that biblical typology functions in much the same way.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly uses historical persons, events, institutions, offices, sacrifices, places, and covenants to reveal greater spiritual realities that find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

But Edwards also cautioned that this language must be learned.

We are not free to make every detail of the Old Testament symbolize whatever our imagination desires.

Rather, we learn the “idiom” of typology by becoming thoroughly acquainted with Scripture, comparing one passage with another, and allowing the clearer examples of biblical typology to teach us how the language works.

This distinction is essential when we approach the life of David.

David is not merely a historical character whose experiences happen to resemble events in the life of Jesus.

Scripture itself establishes David within the unfolding Messianic story.

God covenanted with David that his throne and kingdom would ultimately be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12–16).

The prophets subsequently looked forward to a coming Davidic ruler who would shepherd God's people in righteousness (Isaiah 9:6–7; Isaiah 11:1–10; Jeremiah 23:5–6; Ezekiel 34:23–24; Ezekiel 37:24–25).

The Psalms of David repeatedly move beyond David's immediate circumstances toward the Messiah (Psalm 2; Psalm 16; Psalm 22; Psalm 69; Psalm 110).

New Testament

Matthew 1:1 “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:”

The apostles repeatedly interpret David's words, experiences, and kingship in light of Christ.

Peter explains that David spoke prophetically concerning the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:25–36).

Paul likewise connects God's promises to David with the resurrection and eternal reign of Jesus (Acts 13:22–37).

Jesus Himself identifies David's words in Psalm 110 as ultimately referring to the Messiah (Matthew 22:41–46). John 4 - woman at the well

David therefore belongs to the divinely established vocabulary of biblical typology.

His life becomes one of the great historical patterns through which God prepares His people to recognize the coming King.

Yet David is never the final fulfillment.

He is the shadow;

Christ is the substance.

David is the earthly king;

Jesus is the eternal King.

David's victories are temporary;

Christ's victory is everlasting.

David shepherds one nation;

Christ gathers a people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.

Therefore, as we study David, we are doing more than examining the biography of one of Israel's greatest kings. We are learning to hear what Jonathan Edwards called the language of God.

And again and again, when we learn that language properly, the story of David teaches us to look beyond David himself and behold Jesus Christ, the King, the greater Son of David.

I. Jesus, like David, started from humble beginnings!

1 Samuel 16:4 “So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?””

1 Samuel 16:11 “And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.””

Isaiah 53:1–3 NKJV

1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Jesus birth narrative TURN HERE

Nathan, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Philippians 2:5-8 - TURN HERE

Philippians 2:5–8 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

II. Jesus, like David, is a shepherd!

1 Samuel 16:11 - GO HERE

David and Goliath - David tending sheep

Psalm 23:1 “ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

John 10:14–18 NKJV

14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

III. Jesus, Like David, was anointed!

1 Samuel 13:14 “ But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.””

1 Samuel 16:11–13 - GO HERE

Acts 13:22 “22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’”

Luke 3:21–22 “ When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.””

IV. Jesus, like David, faced trials, tribulations, and betrayal!

David

Relentless pursuit by King Saul, (1 Sam 24)

Absalom orchestrated a rebellion, (2 Sam 15–18), forcing David into exile.

Ahithophel, David’s own counselor, joined Absalom’s cause(2 Sam 15–18)

David cried out: “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.” (Ps 41:9)

The betrayal cut deepest because it came from “a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.” (Ps 55:12–14)

David’s psalms reveal his desperation: “LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’” (Ps 3)

2 Samuel 17:21-23 - TURN HERE

Jesus

Jesus was pursued by those he came to save.

Tried to stone Him.

In Nazareth - tried to throw him off a cliff - Luke 4:28

Judas Iscariot approached the chief priests and negotiated Jesus’s betrayal for thirty pieces of silver. (Matt 26:14–16)

Satan entered Judas before he carried out this act. (Luke 22:3–6)

Jesus identified Judas by giving him a piece of dipped bread, after which Satan entered him. (John 13:21–30)

He approached Jesus saying “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. (Matt 26:47–50) Jesus responded by asking, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:47–48)

Fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. Psalm 41:9 describes the betrayal: “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.”

Zechariah 11:12 prophesied the thirty pieces of silver as wages.

What Happened to Judas After the Crucifixion

Judas became remorseful and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” (Matt 27:3–10)

Judas threw down the silver pieces in the temple and went and hanged himself. (Matt 27:3–10)

V. Jesus, like David, was a representative of the people!

1 Samuel 17:1–2 NKJV

1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines.

1 Samuel 17:4 NKJV

4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

1 Samuel 17:8–12 NKJV

8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. And the man was old, advanced in years, in the days of Saul.

1 Samuel 17:20–24 NKJV

20 So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle. 21 For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. 22 And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. 23 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.

1 Samuel 17:26 NKJV

26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

1 Samuel 17:32 NKJV

32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

1 Samuel 17:40–43 NKJV

40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 41 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 17:45–50 NKJV

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 48 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.

We are NOT DAVID!!!!

The story is NOT about David!!

Not about slaying demons or giants!

We are Israel!

And the story is about GOD!!!

Jesus

The same is true about Jesus!

The NT is NOT ABOUT US!!!!!

It is about the love and mercy and grace of God!!!

It is about JESUS!

Jesus, who stood in the valley of the Shadow of Death.

As the last Adam, he represented all mankind before the Father.

Took on the sins of the world.

Unlike David, Jesus’ representation of mankind was one of substitutionary atonement!!!!!

Jesus won the ultimate battle against Satan, and the powers of evil, and death!

Jesus won the battle so that we, like the Israelites at the Valley of Elah, could bask in the glory of victory won by ONE REPRESENTATIVE!!

Jesus won the battle so that we, through belief in His name, could be His church and He our head!

Jesus won the battle so that we, through His atoning sacrifice, could be His bride and feast at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Jesus, the Final King, the Eternal King, who will come again to sit on the Eternal Throne of David in the New Jerusalem purchased our salvation once for all!!!!

Conclusion

- Will you continue to try to do it for yourself?

- Clawing your way through life, trying to become righteous on your own?

- Or will you let the Messiah, the King on the thrown of Daivd, represent you?

- Will you stand before a Holy and Just God on judgement day, relying on your own merit and hear the voice of God say, “Away from me you workers of iniquity.”

- Or will you stand as white as snow washed in the blood of the lamb of God, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and here, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Prayer and Invitation