David

DAVID

A Study of His Character and Behavior

His Story: I Samuel 16 - I Kings 2

David - "beloved"

Time Period (Approx.) - 1040 B.C. - 970 B.C. (approx. 70 years)

Family - Jesse (Father), Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba, Others (wives), Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah,
Ithream, Solomon (sons)

Best known For: He was the second and perhaps best King of Israel. He was a passionate man who was after "God's
own heart."

Outline of David's Life

I. He was anointed King of Israel in a quiet ceremony (I Samuel 16)

II. He defeated Goliath, the Philistine giant (I Samuel 17)

III. Saul threatens his life and David flees (I Samuel 18-31)

IV. He is made king of Judah (II Samuel 2)

V. He is made king of Israel (II Samuel 5)

VI. David brings the ark of God to Zion (I Samuel 6)

VII. David commits adultery with Bathsheba, and kills Uriah (II Samuel 11)

VIII. David repents of his sins before the Lord and His prophet (II Samuel 12)

IX. David has major family trouble (II Samuel 13-18)

X. David appoints Solomon as King (I Kings 1)

XI. David dies (I Kings 2)

A Look at David's Behavior (I Samuel 24)

"And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee
evil." - I Samuel 24:17

David continually repaid Saul's wicked behavior with good behavior. The Bible says that he "behaved himself wisely."
What better statement could be said about a man?

"And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him." - I Samuel 18:14

"Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the Lord see it, and it
displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him." - Proverbs 24:17-18

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but
rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy
hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome
of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:18-21

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath
been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them
that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That
ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even
the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans
so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." - Matthew 5:42-48

"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all
men." - I Thessalonians 5:15

David wasn't always perfect. He had some very grievous sins in his life. The thing about David, though, was that even
as a sinner he cried out to God. He handled his victories as well as he handled his failures. He believed in God, even
when he failed to live for him as he should. He treated his friends well, and he treated his enemies well. David was truly
a man after God's own heart.