The Life and Times of David Son of Jessie

David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), but how does one achieve such a high compliment? This statement was originally recorded in 1Sam. 13:14 and was spoken by the Prophet and last Judge of Israel (1Sam 3:2; 7:15-17), Samuel. Commentators maintain that the statement was made about David’s public life as King and not about his private life; which was riddled with valiant victories, noble acts, love, lies, adultery, and murder. Nevertheless David was a great king and a great man, for many spoke of Jesus as the Son of David (Matt. 9:7; 12:23; and 21:9). So who was this great man? David was not a perfect man, but I believe that merely a glimpse of his life will reveal to us a man that truly is “after God’s own heart”.

First of all, his private life as a sinful King yet striving to do the will of God is a major part of who David was. David was thrust into many dangerous situations for a variety of reasons. However a constant factor of his many victories over his enemies is quickly reviled. The Lord was on David’s side when he killed the lion and the bear as described in 1 Sam 17:34-35. He also gave his faith over to God to defeat the giant Goliath. He protected his friend Jonathan who in turned protected him. Jonathan told David of the plot his father Saul had on his life (1Sam 19:1-7). David in turn showed unparalleled kindness to Mephibosheth because of his best friend, Jonathan, who was killed in battle (2 Sam 9). David refused to harm the anointed of God on multiple occasions out of respect for God (1Sam 24). In all David did, he gave glory to God and a cursory glance of the Psalms written by David will be sufficient evidence that he honored God and gave him all the glory.

However, he did have his short comings as we all know. Perhaps the most famous of which is his dealings with the wife of Uriah, Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). This sad story involves the death of two innocent people, dishonor to Israel and to God. David lusted after Bathsheba, committed adultery with her, and then to cover up the pregnancy that was a result of the adultery; he had her husband murdered. David’s following punishment was the death of the child. What a sad story from such a great man. David did repent but only at the unveiling of the sin by the prophet Nathan. But he did repent. Some of his lesser shortcomings are his failed parenthood with many of his children and the last sin of David coming at the end of his life. He numbered the men of battle (2 Sam. 24). This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but when God gives David 3 choices of punishments, one begins to realize that something is wrong. 70,000 people died as a result of this sin. One major difference between David’s failure with Bathsheba and his failure here is that he didn’t need someone to tell him he had messed up (2 Sam. 24:10). He knew he had done wrong and accepted responsibility.

An amazing portrait of David’s personal life is woven throughout scriptures. Several points that need to be understood are that David learned from his mistakes, he accepted responsibility for them, and begged God for forgiveness (ex. Ps. 51). Furthermore, he gave God all the glory and put his full trust and faith in God.