David’s Character

        God built David’s character in solitude and obscurity as He trained him for the throne. If we are willing, God will develop our character so we reflect His character so we too are ready for the throne room of heaven. God is not in a hurry, however. Shaping and forming us into saints takes a lifetime. David spent many years suffering the jealousy of Saul and being attacked by Israel’s enemies, but David persevered and waited for God to fulfill His promise to him.

   The psalms that David wrote showed his heart. Although not perfect, David’s heart was set toward God. David was a man after God’s own heart. Second Chronicles 16 verse 9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” Believers in Christ are to be concerned about those things in us that displease the Lord. He wants us to be His completely.

·     David was a “man after God’s own heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7: Acts 13:22 David wanted to be in harmony with God. David wanted his heart to respond to God’s heart. David knew that his righteousness and strength would come from the fact that God had given him the power of the Holy Spirit within and without. He sought the Lord deeply.

·     David inquired of the Lord when he had to make a decision. 1 Samuel 23:4 God had told David in Psalm 32:8-10 that He would “instruct and teach David in the way he should go.”

·    David had honorable character and integrity even though at times he fell into sin but confessed, repented and returned to God. He even accepted the consequences of his sin without argument.

·      David was passionate for God, His Word and His Will.

·     David had an unshakable faith and confidence in God.

·     David was a zealous worshiper of God and encouraged others to do the same.

·     David desired to please God more than his own greatness and people.

·     David wanted to do God’s purpose for his life.

·    David had a servant’s heart. Psalm 78:70; 1 Samuel 18:5; 1 Samuel 17:17-19 

·    David was successful in all Saul sent him to do. 1 Samuel 18:5, 14 

  David had great courage from his youth. 1 Samuel 17 Later in his life, David became a mighty warrior and had many victories against the enemies of God’s people.

·    David worked with what God gave him. He took a bunch of misfits and taught, trained and equipped them to be mighty warriors. 1 Samuel 22:2

·    David became a great leader but, He never forgot God’s greatness and majesty next to his own. He knew His success was due only to the Lord.  Because of this, David was skilled both administratively and militarily.

·   David sought God’s face and counsel. He sought guidance through prayer and God’s wisdom.  When David made a wrong judgment, it was because he had not sought God’s wisdom.

·     God assured David that His unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Psalm 32:8-10

·     David was patient. He waited patiently through trials and great suffering for God to fulfill His promise to him. Through all of his trials and great suffering, God was training David to lead His people to victory and possession of the land of promise.

·    David endured Saul’s cruelties without bitterness or resentment. David could have killed Saul three times but spared him. 1 Samuel 23:4

·     David kept promises. 1 Samuel 18-20

·     David was a faithful friend. He loved Jonathan. 1 Samuel 18:1-4

·    David was humble. He humbly recognized that God was the real King of Israel and he was merely a servant of God. 2 Samuel 5:12 Even though Saul was trying to kill David, David still called Saul king and him Saul’s servant! 1 Samuel 26:18

·  David mourned Saul’s and Jonathan’s death even though Saul had turned into David’s enemy.

·   David was compassionate with Saul’s grandson and Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 9:3  David treated Mephibosheth like a son!

·   David accepted God’s “no.” 2 Samuel 7:4-5 David wanted to build God’s temple but God said “no” that his son Solomon would build it. Solomon means “peace.” God had a plan. David was a Mighty Warrior, but it will be the King of Peace who will build God's temple. Why? (see 1 Chronicles 28:3) Jesus is the eternal fulfillment of the King of Peace who will build an eternal temple in the hearts of His followers. He is the Eternal Temple of God and in Him, believers become the temple of God.

Because of all these characteristics of David, God chose him to rule over His people and defeat their enemies. David, however, was not perfect. 

• ·At times David was fearful.
•   There were times when David questioned God’s plan for him.
•  David was stressed when people wanted to stone him but found strength in the Lord. 1 Samuel 30:6 
• David made a mistake in transporting the Ark of the Covenant in a wrong manner.  Uzziah and Ahio who were guiding the cart were not priests. Only priests according to God’s instruction were to carry the Ark, and they were not to touch it. They were to carry it by the poles.  David had it put on a “new cart.” When the oxen stumbled, Uzziah reached out and touched the Ark to steady it. (see 2 Samuel 6) This brought tragedy to Uzziah. He died. The Ark of God’s presence is holy and sacred and not to be touched with human hands. Thankfully, Jesus the true and Eternal Ark of God’s Covenant can be touched! (see 2 Samuel 6) This brought tragedy to Uzziah. He died. The Ark of God’s presence is holy and sacred and not to be touched with human hands. Thankfully, Jesus the true and Eternal Ark of God’s Covenant can be touched.
• David committed adultery and murder. 2 Samuel· 
• David presumptuously numbered Israel when God told him not to. 1 Chronicles 21:1-7

  God forgave David’s sins because he confessed and repented of his sins. Long before Jesus came to earth, David understood the grace and forgiveness of God. God did not cast David away nor did He withdraw His promise to David. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins.” David was restored to fellowship with God although he had to suffer the consequences of his sins. David’s sin was terrible, but he was deeply sorrowful for them. Probably his deepest sorrow was in failing God who had given him so much. No doubt David was deeply grateful for God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness. David asked for forgiveness based upon God’s character, not his own. He approached God with his psalm 51. David knew God’s unfailing love, mercy and compassion.  David knew he could not work his way back into God’s good graces! The depth of God’s mercy and love was David’s only hope.