David King of Israel

2022-04-28

King David of Israel is the quintessential king to study because his life prefigures our Lord Jesus Christ. This king humbly began as a shepherd for his father Jesse. When Samuel was commanded to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as king, David’s seven older brothers passed before him as candidates. David was not even considered until Samuel asked if there were another son. Our Lord also had humble beginnings. Nobody expected a baby born in a manger would be the Messiah either. The Lord became known as the Good Shepherd.

Beginning as King Saul’s minstrel, David rose to fame by defeating the Philistine champion Goliath. He then became a champion himself in Saul’s army, until Saul’s jealousy arose. Nonetheless, the young man became the king’s son-in-law by slaying 200 Philistines and marrying Michal daughter of Saul. Though winning over many, including the king’s son Jonathan, Saul became a relentless pursuer of David. David was on the run for years. Likewise, the kings of this world pursued after the Christ to destroy Him. In addition, David’s anointing as king and his actual coronation have a considerable gap between them, just was the Lord’s first and second coming do.

After Saul’s death, David became king over Judah and Ishbosheth became king over Israel. David ruled from Hebron for seven and a half years. Afterwards, he took the castle of Zion, making Jerusalem the capital city, and he became king over a united Israel. He ruled there 33 years. The Lord Himself will rule over all of Israel (and the world) when He returns: “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand” (Ezekiel 37:19).

David had many victories against his enemies all around. David also made peace with some enemies. He spared Saul on two occasions, and showed kindness to his grandson Mephibosheth, made peace with Abner, trusted Amasa as his general, and pardoned men such as Shimei, for example. Our Lord made peace with His enemies as well but will also defeat the enemies that do not accept his terms of amnesty. “And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul” (2 Samuel 22:1).

David brought the ark back to Jerusalem. He would have built the Temple but could not because of shedding much blood in battle. The Lord made a covenant with David and His descendants that there would always be a Davidic king. Solomon his son would build the Temple. The Lord Himself ultimately fulfills this covenant. “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” (2 Samuel 7:16).

David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband Uriah, who was one of his mighty men. This caused great unrest in his kingdom, decreed by the Lord. This included the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba, and the death of two of his sons. Also, his idea of having a census caused the death of many. Around the time of his adultery, he committed atrocities in the Ammonite city of Rabbah.

The Lord never sinned, but we know that His life was filled with similar sorrow and betrayal. “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones” (Zechariah 13:7; cf. Mark 14:27).

One of his last acts was to ensure that Solomon became his successor, because another son, Adonijah, had claimed the throne.

David wrote at least half of the book of Psalms, and much of these writings prefigure our Lord. The New Testament quotes these often as fulfillments in Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is a part of the Kings of Israel series. To go back to the table of contents, proceed here.