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DAVID, THE KING WHO WALKED HUMBLY BEFORE GOD
INTRODUCTION: Of the three kings we have studied
thus far (Pharoah, Belshazzar, and Saul) all had the same problem. They
all were lifted up with pride. This pride eventually destroyed them. One
lost his army in the sea. One lost his capitol city and life. One lost
his throne and took his own life on a lonely hill. But tonight we will
talk about a different king. This king is one who remained loyal throughout
his lifeto Jehovah, albeit with several brief lapses of disobedience. He
was not destroyed with pride. His name is David, the man after God's own
heart. (Acts 13:22)
BODY
I. GOD SAW IN DAVID THOSE QUALITIES THAT WOULD MAKE FOR
GREATNESS, EVEN AT AN
EARLY AGE.
A. Even though Saul was still sitting on the
throne, God had already rejected him as King.
1. I Samuel 15:23-"For rebellion is as the sin
of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou
hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being
king."
B. God instructed Samuel to annoint a King that God had already
chosen.
1. I Samuel 16:1
2. He would be different from the choice men would make.
a. I Samuel 16:7-"Look not on his countenance,
or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord
seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but
the Lord looketh on the heart."
3. I Samuel 16:11-13
II. DAVID LEANED ON GOD WHEN HE FACED GOLIATH THE GIANT.
(I SAMUEL CHAPTER 17)
A. It is a perilous time for the nation of Israel.
1. The Philistine army were across a valley arrayed
against the army of Israel. (verses 1-3)
2. Goliath was the champion of Philistia. (verses 4-7)
a. He was a giant of a man, measuring some 11
feet and 4 inches.
b. All his armour and weapons were in proportion to his
size.
3. He hurled insults against the army of Israel. (verses
8-10)
B. What was the reaction of the army of Israel?
1. verse 11-"When Saul and all Israel heard those
words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid."
C. But David was not afraid.
1. He had been sent to the battle by his father
with food for his older brothers who were part of Saul's army. (verses
17-20)
2. David's declaration. (verse 26)
3. David is ridiculed by his oldest brother. (verse 28)
4. David declares his intention to fight Goliath. (verses
29-39)
5. David goes forth to fight Goliath. (verses 40-50)
6. The Philistines flee. (verses 51-58)
D. What gave David this great courage when everyone was so
afraid?
1. He had a deep faith in the eternal God of
Israel.
a. Most commentators believe that David great
masterpiece of faith, the twenty third psalm was written when David was
a youth, before he met the mighty Goliath in battle.
2. Psalm 23-"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still
waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: thou annointest my head with oil;my cup runneth over. Surely goodness
and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:and I will dwell in the
house of the Lord forever"
3. This great faith can sustain us and give us courage
to stand up to all the problems of life.
a. II Timothy 1:12-"For the which cause I also
suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed
unto him against that day."
b. I John 5:4-"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh
the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our
faith."
III. HE TRUSTED GOD TO MAKE A WAY TO HIS PROMISED THRONE.
A. He had the opportunity to kill Saul but did
not.
1. I Samuel 24:1-12 at the cave of En-gedi
2. He would not touch God's annointed.
3. He had respect for God's authority.
a. He trusted God to make a way to the throne
of Israel.
B. His lament over Saul and Jonathan.
1. II Samuel 1:7-27
IV. DURING DAVID'S REIGN HE COULD STILL HUMBLE HIMSELF BEFORE
GOD.
A. His sin with Bathsheba
1. David is guilty of adultery.
a. II Samuel 11:4,5
2. He has Uriah killed.
a. II Samuel 11:14,15
3. His rebuke from God.
a. II Samuel 12:7-12
4. David's repentance.
a. verse 13
b. Psalm 51
5. Even though he had sinned grievously David was still able
to humble himself before God in repentance.
B. The numbering of the people.
1. David was lifted up with pride to number his
people.
a. David's strength lay not with numbers of men
under arms but on Jehovah God.
2. Even his general Joab knew the folly of such a venture.
a. II Samuel 24:3
3. David is convicted in his heart of his sin.
a. verse 10
4. God gives David three choices for punishment.
a. verses 11-14
5. David's intercession with God for his people.
a. verse 17
CONCLUSION: David's greatness was not in his bravery, even
though he was very brave. It was not in the battles that he won, even though
he won many. It was not in the glory of his reign, even though he had his
share of glory. It was in his willingness to submit to the will of god
and to humble his heart in repentance when he sinned.
Copyright 1999 by Grady
Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.
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