Character of David

David’s appearance and attributes

1 Samuel 16:18 KJV 1900

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.

See also 1 Sa 16:12

David’s characteristics

His dependence upon God

1 Samuel 13:14 KJV 1900

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.

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 KJV 1900

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.

See also 1 Sa 17:40–51

His loyalty to others

1 Samuel 20:41–42 KJV 1900

And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And 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 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord. So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of 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 KJV 1900

And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, 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 KJV 1900

David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever 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 KJV 1900

Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, And the man who was raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

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 KJV 1900

And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto 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