Character of David

David’s appearance and attributes

1 Samuel 16:18 NKJV

Then one of the servants answered and said, “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.”

See also 1 Sa 16:12

David’s characteristics

His dependence upon God

1 Samuel 13:14 NKJV

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.”

See also 1 Sa 23:2; 1 Sa 23:4; 1 Sa 23:9–13; Ps 23:1–6; Ps 34:1–7; Ps 54:1–4; Ps 62:1–2; Ps 142:1–7

His trust in God

1 Samuel 17:34–37 NKJV

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover 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 the Lord be with you!”

See also 1 Sa 17:40–51

His loyalty to others

1 Samuel 20:41–42 NKJV

As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so. Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever.’ ” So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

See also 2 Sa 9:1; 2 Sa 9:6–7

His respect for those in authority

1 Samuel 24:1–7 NKJV

Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, “Take note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats. So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.) Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’ ” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.” So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.

See also 1 Sa 26:1–25

His deep humanity is evident in his paternal grief

2 Samuel 18:32–33 NKJV

And the king said to the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” So the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!” Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”

See also 2 Sa 13:38–39; 2 Sa 18:5; 2 Sa 19:1–7

David’s abilities

He was a strategist and courageous commander

2 Samuel 8:3–6 NKJV

David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his territory at the River Euphrates. David took from him one thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. Also David hamstrung all the chariot horses, except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots. When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of the Syrians. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought tribute. So the Lord preserved David wherever he went.

See also 1 Sa 17:34–47; 2 Sa 5:6–10; 2 Sa 5:17–25; 2 Sa 8:1; 2 Sa 8:13–14; 1 Sa 27:5–11

He was a musician and poet

2 Samuel 23:1 NKJV

Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel:

He played the harp:

1 Sa 16:18; 1 Sa 16:23; 1 Sa 18:10; 1 Sa 19:9–10

2 Sa 22:1 He sang; 1 Ch 16:7; Ps 3:1; Ps 34:1; Ps 51:1; Ps 52:1; Ps 54:1; Ps 63:1

He was a wise leader

2 Samuel 8:15 NKJV

So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people.

See also 2 Sa 7:18–29; 2 Sa 15:14; 2 Sa 15:25–29; 2 Sa 15:32–36; 2 Sa 16:5–12; 2 Sa 19:18–29; 2 Sa 21:1–9

His military activities prevented him from building the temple

1 Ki 5:3; 1 Ch 22:7–8

David’s sin and repentance

His adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah

2 Sa 11:2–4; 2 Sa 12:7–10

See also 2 Sa 11:14–17; 2 Sa 11:26–27

His repentance

2 Sa 12:13–23; Ps 51:1–19