Lesson 5: King David: From Obscurity

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, 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.

I’m excited this week as we begin about five or six weeks on king David, that is my goal anyway. He is one of the greats of the Bible. Can I say as we being this section on Him, please know that he is special in so many ways.

There are many reasons for this, but let me mention this tonight:

He is special because he was not a priest, he was not a prophet, he was not a even a first born, or anything of old that would make him special. He is not even special because he was the king of Israel because we know that there about 42 kings between Israel and Judah.

What made him special was because of his faith. It was that faith that brought on many of the blessings that we will start to see tonight.

Romans 2:11 AV

For there is no respect of persons with God.

Of course, he is also special because though him was promised a kingly line which ultimately resulted in the Messiah, in Jesus Christ.

And then we know that David was not a perfect man, he was not a sinless man. Yet God used Him in a great and mighty way. It is through David that God show a truly wonderful picture of Christ’s forgiveness and mercy. David’s life was a great life in that it was one of humility and submissiveness. It is a blessing to see God choosing to display his mercy and picture Himself through this life.

One o the most exciting things about David, is that before him very little is known about the Messiah, but suddenly a flood of light is shone about who Christ would be. For as David was born in Bethlehem, so was Jesus would be born there. As David was born in obscurity and not known till later, so was Christ. As David was faithful to His father and not losing a sheep, so was Christ, and more and more. The Psalms that he wrote were full of prophecy about Christ.

I. The Obedience of David

He was Obedient

Acts 13:22 AV

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

David simply obeyed the Lord, which included:

A. Fulfilling his father’s will

He also did this for is Spiritual Leaders, teachers and even older siblings\

B. Fulfilling his responsibilities

You won’t find David shirking responsibilities for more exciting activities.

The reasons that David was chosen, and Saul was rejected was because of David’s obedience and Saul’s disobedience. The will of God may not be the easy road, it might be the road less traveled in life, but it is simple, obey God, follow the Lord. If you want to be chosen by or used by God, you must follow Him and obey Him. God is not blessed by disobedience, He is blessed by people who have the attitude that they want to obey God for God’s sake, for His honor, for His glory. Not because of fear; not because of a desire to get more – but just to bless the God of heaven who has done so much for them.

C. Having a heart of obedience

I want to be like David and have a heart after Gods.

1. Fulfill all God’s will in abstaining from evil

1 Thessalonians 5:22 AV

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

2. Fulfill all God’s will in abstaining from self-will

Ephesians 5:6 AV

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

3. Fulfill all God’s will in compliance with His direction

Proverbs 3:5–6 AV

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 37:23 AV

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 25:4 AV

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

4. Fulfill all God’s will in obeying the Spirit

1 Peter 1:22 AV

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

2 Corinthians 3:6 AV

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

II. Anointed of God

1 Samuel 16:6-13

A. Not chosen for his personal appeal

“…Look not on his countenance,”

We are so wrapped up in personality, looks, and dress, God is not looking at those things when he makes a choice.

1. He was ruddy

Some commentators said this means he was a red head

Some say this meant his skin was red from the sun and wind in the wilderness

At the very least it means that he was reddish in color, either from redness from work, or lack of rest, or blushing we are not sure.

2. He was withal a beautiful countenance

There was something special about his countenance, he had a spirit about him that was special, not necessarily his looks or his physique, must mostly in his attitude.

You can tell people by their spirit sometimes:

Daniel 6:3 AV

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

B. It is not according to personal ability

“…or on the height of his stature.”

Personal strengths and abilities are not what God is looking at when makes choice of service.

Did you know that God use you and your abilities that you have now to do whatever he has called you to do?

C. The standard of God was faithfulness

David was faithful in the fact that he performed his duties gladly, no matter what anyone else was doing.

David was faithful in that his position may have been lackluster and base in man’s eyes, but it was the job his father gave him to do, he was going to do it to the best of his ability.

God is still looking for one who is faithful This means one who is doing what he is supposed to do faithfully

Proverbs 20:6 AV

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

Ezekiel 22:30 AV

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

III. David Facing Goliath – the Great Trial of His Faith

Notice the trials that David faced in order to see victory not only for him and his family, but also for his people.

Some how we thought when we got right with God and started serving Him that everyone would be excited, but it just isn’t true. We thought God would just open the door and let the sunshine and joy fill our lives, but that is not what happened.

A. The Taunting Brother

1 Samuel 17:28 AV

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

B. The Discouraging Leader

1 Samuel 17:33 AV

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

C. The Scornful Enemy

1 Samuel 17:42 AV

And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

D. A Gracious God

1 Sam 17:49-51

IV. Reasons for David’s Great Victory over Goliath

A. Qualifications for the battle

David always fulfilled his responsibilities, to his father and family and even standing up to the enemy for his people.

He was faithful regardless of what he was missing out on

He was faithful regardless of the threats

He had faced a lion and a bear and a bear, this was not a worse in threat to Him, just different.

B. Right Attitude into the battle

1. David did not let personal attacks divert him

We already read 1 Samuel 17:28 when Eliab accused him.

1 Samuel 17:29 AV

And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

To David, there was a greater cause that the attacks that came at him, notice what he did in verse 30 - he simply turned away from such abuse.

He did not rail back, or spend a lot of time defending himself, he simply turned his attention to the need of the hour, the Champion of the Philistines

b) David did not let naysayers discourage him

v.31-32

David went forward, while others floundered at the prospect of going.

Saul was a discouragement to David, but was later willing in verse 37 to allow him to go and face the Philistine.

Do you think that God allows discouragement in our lives? Of course he does, he is testing our resolve to do right, to see if it is real.

If a little discouragement is enough to stop you from serving God, you were not going to be worth a lo

The point is, sometimes our resolve isn’t worth a lot, especially if we give in the first sight of discouragement.

c) David did not allow attacks on his people or his God go unanswered

1 Samuel 17:26, 45

C. Excellence during the battle

There are many ways that David showed excellence during the battle.

He had confidence to answer Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts, v.45

He honored God in the midst of the battle, v.47

He ran to meet the foe, v.48

1. Excellence in battle is a result of conviction

Many go into battle with imperfect motives

Because of foolhardiness

Because of what others will think

Because of a frenzy, hype, or mob mentality

Because they have nothing to lose

I believe David went into the battle out of sheer conviction, no matter what happened to him, that God’s name would be honored, and that someone would stand against this foe.

b) Excellence in battle is a result of faith

Not only was it his conviction that put the battle in array, but it was his faith that God would deliver him.

It is interesting in verses 32, 36, and 37 he never talked about it would be him that would actually defeat Goliath.

D. Blessings as a result of the battle

3 things happened as a result of his faithfulness in the battle: 1. He got he spoils v.54

2. He received accolades 1 Sam 18:7

3. He was promoted 1 Sam 18:5

E. Honor given after the battle

Judges 4:9 AV

And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

1 Samuel 17:58 AV

And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

Lesson 5: King David: From Obscurity

1 Samuel 16-18

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