The spirit of David was his deep, unwavering faith and worship of God, the great I Am That I Am, Exodus 3:3. Like Abraham, David was an authentic worshipper of the Creator of the universe. He was also one of the key figures in the Old Testament.
The Youngest
David was the youngest of eight sons. It seems he was often in trouble with his brothers. His eldest brother said ‘I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart’, 1 Samuel 17:28. David replied, ‘What have I done now’? That is a familiar sound among siblings of a large family.
David was given the lowest of occupations, which was to tend the sheep. That was considered a ‘dirty job’ and shepherds were not only despised, and ceremoniously unclean, but considered untrustworthy with a poor reputation. Note the King of Kings describes Himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for His sheep, John 10:11.
It was while David was alone with the sheep on the hillside that he composed many of his wonderful psalms that became masterpieces of spiritual literature. It was David’s skill with the harp that calmed King Saul’s troubled spirit. Saul was Israel’s first king chosen by the people. He spent twenty years chasing David after David was anointed to become Israel’s next and greatest king.
Fierce in Courage
David showed fierceness of character throughout his life, beginning with his courage against the Philistines. While all the strong men of Israel cringed in fear before the mighty Philistine army and the taunts of Goliath and his brothers, David reacted instantly to King Saul. ‘Let no man’s heart fail on account of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine,’ 1 Samuel 17:32.
That caused instant mockery among all who heard, particularly David’s brothers. They probably wanted to hide in embarrassment. This puny youth was prepared to do what the entire Israeli army feared to do.
God’s Protection and Friendship
David gave an honest and unassuming reply. ‘When a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock I went out after him. I attacked him and rescued it from his mouth. When he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck and killed him’, 1 Samuel 17:34, 35. David was fully aware of God’s protection and empowerment when facing danger.
The spirit of David reveals that God has a way of training His people for future roles in God’s plan, when we learn to be a friend of God, for David was a man after God’s own heart,1 Samuel 13:14. David would become Israel’s greatest military strategist and leader, uniting the tribes of Israel into a nation. He had earned the ways of kingship as he presided over his flock.
Fearless
David faced Goliath in the way God had taught him. The king wanted David to wear armour that was nothing more than an impediment to the youth. With one stone David felled the mighty giant, then he retrieved the man’s own gigantic sword and cut Goliath’s head off.
David kept Goliath’s weapons and they were placed in the Tabernacle at Nob. The priests would later give the sword back to David when he had a desperate need for one, 1 Samuel 21:8,9.
The lesson of David’s life is that we are joint heirs with Christ, Romans 8:16,17, and in Christ we have no fear of the enemy. David was a man of faith.
Learning Curve
The prophet Samuel anointed David privately at age 15 to be the future king of Israel, 1 Samuel 16:13, much to the disgust of his older brothers. David was still the keeper of his father’s sheep. Saul, chosen by the people, had disobeyed God and gone his own way against the Amalekites, so God appointed the next king.
David was thirty-years-old when he was anointed a second time by Samuel in the wilderness, when the men of Judah gathered around him, 2 Samuel 2:3,4. Saul and his son Jonathan had just been killed in battle. David reigned over Judah for seven years and six months.
The third anointing was at Hebron. The leadership of Israel had descended into utter chaos. David was thirty-seven-years old when he began his thirty-three-year reign over a finally united Israel, 2 Samuel 5:3-5.
Man of Blood
David more than doubled the kingdom of Israel. This became the nation’s golden years, with the enemies of Israel respecting and begrudgingly admiring the Israeli king.
However, David was not permitted to build the Temple of God for he was a man of war, a man of bloodshed, 2 Samuel 16:8. He made all the preparations for his son to build what he yearned to build himself. It grieved him that the Ark of the Covenant was only housed in a tent.
The Spirit of David was Prophetic
While few class David as a prophet, his writing is as full of prophecy as was the writings of men such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. There are many glorious truths foretold by David which are too numerous to number. Psalm 22 and 23 are probably the most well-known, as they foretold the events of Calvary and the promised redemption and salvation of mankind.
The Psalms are quoted more frequently in the New Testament than any other book of the Old Testament. Again and again, Jesus spoke direct quotes from the Psalms, particularly at vital points in His ministry.
This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Matthew 3:17 is a quote from Psalms 2:7. Satan quoted Psalm 91:11 at the temptation of Jesus. Of the seven things Jesus spoke from the agony of Calvary, four were direct quotes from the Psalms. Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing, Luke 23:34 is Psalm 22:18. I Am thirsty, John 19:28 is a quote from Psalm 69:21. My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me, Mark 15:34 is Psalm 22:1. Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit, Luke 23: 46 is Psalm 31:5.
Spirit of David
The spirit of David was the forerunner of the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords. David and Jesus had many similarities, starting with both from the tribe of Judah.
Both men were born in the humble town of Bethlehem, house of bread. Neither had rank or wealth when they were born. The favourite simile Jesus used is that of shepherd. Both were severely oppressed and persecuted but did not retaliate. David did not kill Saul when he had the chance, 1 Samuel 24:7-10, just as Christ prayed for his persecutors from the Cross.
David’s kingdom began with a motley mob. Everyone who was in distress, in debt and discontented gathered to him and he became captain over them, 2 Samuel 22:2. Jesus started off with 12 disciples who were discontented with the iron fist of Roman rule.
God promised David that his throne would be an everlasting throne, 2 Samuel 7:16. Christ will reign from David’s throne in the millennium, Isaiah 9:7. David will also reign with Christ in the millennium, as will all those who have accepted Christ as their Saviour, Revelation 20:6.
Conclusion
David was an anointed man of God who became a pivotal figure in the history of the nation of Israel and David had a special relationship with God, for he was a man after God’s own heart, 1 Samuel 13:14. Like David, our walk as a follower of Christ goes through stages, as we mature into the stature of the fulness of Jesus Christ, Ephesians 4:13. David proves that despite our failures, God will use us His way if we surrender to Him.
Like David we also need to seek the face of God and not settle for anything less, for he knew the presence of God. Too many are content to be half-hearted Christians living for self, more than living for God. Like David we need to be authentic worshippers, not just a people who pay lip-service. We are to love and worship God with all our heart, soul and mind, Matthew 22:37.
We are living in the end of days and our lives need to totally sold out to our God. We need to live with our feet on the earth, but our head in the heavenlys. Followers of Christ need to have a spirit like the spirit of David and be fearlessly God centred.
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