A MATTER OF THE HEART
Jesse and David
Chugging along through our series of names, we stumble now upon a boulder in our path! For many reasons, I am thrilled to have reached this point in our journey! Jesse (son of Obed) and his eighth son, David, lead us straight to the foot of it. Jesse, shepherd of Bethlehem, fathered David, Israel’s greatest king. Their lives fused, they are portrait of the Shepherd Messiah King! Finding emotion full scale, from sinner suffering to poet praising, we’ll encounter mistakes replete with consequence, words strewn with worship, and tears extolling in midst of anguish. With much anticipation, throw your pack across your shoulder, lace tight your shoes, and tread eagerly forward. God has treasure in store as through Jesse and David we go...
We have charted our course through Israelite history, pausing now to view the transition from judges to king. Discontent and desperate, the people begged for a leader, one ruler to unify their tribes. God had granted his restless people their choice in Saul. In 1 Samuel 16, we find God’s plan, however, continuing to unfold as Saul’s choices and heart continually failed to portray the king God wanted for His people. He had become proud, didn’t obey, and never loved God with a whole heart. Intending to place one on the throne to reflect Himself, God sent Samuel (last judge and prophet) to anoint a new king “after His own heart” (1 Sam. ). It is here today’s journey begins…
With Saul, lacking a heart for God, still on the throne, Samuel traveled to Bethlehem, seeking the house of Jesse. From among his sons, God had selected His king! Seven eldest sons in place, each passed, seeming the part to Samuel but not sufficient in God’s eyes. Finally, as you know, Jesse told of his eighth son, a teenage David, and brought him from tending sheep. God’s choice made known, Samuel anointed David. David’s ordinary day catapulted into something extraordinary as the last one all expected turned out to be God’s choice. I love that. He chose the least, making it so clearly His plan alone! Certainly David, Jesse, his sons, and Samuel, with oil in hand, had tangible lesson that day – with God, it is always a matter of the heart!
God’s plan a new beginning and a new king for Israel. Just as God brought forth eight from the flood, here He preserved David, the eighth son, for His anointing! Isaiah 11:1 says “Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.” Just as prophesied in Isaiah 11, Christ came from the stump of Jesse. Choosing the least expected as God often does, out of the obscurity of Jesse’s life He brought David, Israel’s greatest king. Even more remarkably, the little expected town of Bethlehem would again one day deliver God’s Perfect King. Certainly God had a new beginning in mind, looking at His people through the scope of His cross. David, from shepherd beginnings to king sovereign, a shadow of the Promised Messiah King who came, died, rose, reigns and is returning!
Although anointed as a teenager, David, whose names means beloved, did not assume the throne until after the death of Saul. In the years between, David served Saul as musician, soothing his melancholy (1 Sam. 16). He defeated a giant Philistine and consequently an army, gathering the praises of Israel (I Sam. 17) and the resulting jealousy of Saul. As time passed, he found Saul’s son, Jonathan, a friend faithful (1 Sam. 18, 20, 23) but Saul an enemy persistent. Consequently, he spent years on the run and with God’s protection lived through numerous attempts on his life! During this time, David no doubt learned much as God continued to prepare him to be the king He wanted him to be.
Following the death of Saul, David was anointed king over the house of Judah (2 Sam. 2:4). Seven and a half years after, at the age of thirty, David became king over all Israel (2 Sam. 5:3-4). With the House of David established and Messiah’s royal line founded, David reigned for forty years. Through political, spiritual and military feats, David expanded Israel to the pinnacle of its glory, conquering many lands and truly creating a legacy rich for all Israel – complete with wealth, honor, psalms, and an extreme example of faithfulness to God.
With a scaled back sketch of David’s life complete, we can now delve into the meat of his story. Scripture is abounding with reference to him, as you know, with entire books recounting his life and recording his writings. With intent to capture his character and the caliber with which he lived his life, we will encompass all we can in this sitting! David’s versatility remarkable, we’ll see him as shepherd, musician, soldier, friend, husband, exile, king, commander, father, poet, and sinner. We’ll find him faithful, patient, courageous, generous, sorrowful, repentant, forgiving, imperfect, trustworthy, surrendered, and successful. Examine with me now snapshots of David’s life on a more intimate level, ranging from the heights of victory to the depths of defeat.
Arguably his most famous accomplishment, David, facing a giant, proved confident, prepared, and victorious. 1 Samuel 17 recounts the story. Jesse, elderly and concerned about his sons in Saul’s army, sent his youngest son, David, with food. (Keep in mind the sibling rivalry that was certainly paramount in Jesse’s family. David, already anointed by Samuel, spent his days serving Saul and tending his father’s sheep. His three eldest brothers, certainly jealous of David’s position in court and promise of kingship, sought their own standing in the camps of Saul’s army.) Careful to leave his flock in care of a keeper, he completed the task his father asked. I find it interesting that Jesse, once again, had little idea the outcome the day would bring! God did, however, and once at the battle front, David quickly deduced the situation: The Philistines, and in particular a ten foot one named Goliath, were taunting God’s army and every Israelite soldier cowered in return, including his three eldest brothers!
For forty days, Goliath had, morning and night, challenged the Israelites, debasing God’s name. Considering their own lives paramount, every Israelite soldier, including Saul, the tallest and strongest, allowed it! David, however, refused to be idle, his focus God alone. Rather than retorting anger to a confrontational (and very jealous) brother, Eliab, David bridled his passion and continued his pursuit to discover just who this Philistine was. Not long after, word reached Saul that there was one willing to fight! Imagine Saul’s surprise to see an unarmed teenager as candidate. Amazingly, Saul agreed (after 40 days of Philistine taunts and, embarrassingly, no one to match Goliath, he must have been ready for the drawn-out battle to end, regardless of the outcome!) Shortly after, David answered Goliath’s charge, and, as you know, God stood with him in the valley! Armed with only a sling, his stone sent Goliath crashing to the ground. In victory, a young and bold David, stood on the body of Goliath, chopped off his head, and watched in what I can only imagine as total amazement as the rest of the Philistine army fled! He had just defeated an enemy Israel hadn’t been able to conquer in over 100 years! Faithful with little, God used him much!
Look closely and see that Saul, in his cowardice, set high reward to entice a soldier brave enough to face Goliath. Ironically, David emerged as answer but not because of any human incentive. He acted on God’s behalf alone! Armed with only a sling, he trusted not his own size or strength but rather God’s capacity! Asking for not more than he already had, he put faith in action. Compensated in full return, David conquered, his own effort bolstered by God’s! Yes, a hero he was, but there exists One who made him such!
Beautifully, He has made you also, reader, more than a conqueror just because you are His! (Romans 8:38). In fact, He has already equipped you for every battle and is to you daily a God of deliverance! (Psalm 68:19). Be faithful with what He’s given, willing to act in faith, and rest in knowing success finds its sticking point in Him, even when the challenge seems an insurmountable Goliath! Furthermore, rejoice! Just as David defeated Goliath, Christ defeated your enemy on His cross! One glorious day, He will bring ultimate defeat, putting end to the slander, the taunting, and the challenges Satan reels your way! Bottom line? He is Conqueror, and in Him, we are more than equipped, no matter how disproportioned any battle may seem…
Following Goliath’s defeat, David was an instant hero. Elevated in the eyes of the people, David found Saul’s son, Jonathan, an immediate and faithful friend who would prove to be just that through much adversity. Just as God had equipped David for battle, Jonathan also equipped David. David’s defeat of Goliath impressed Saul, and a teenage David found himself commander in Saul’s army! In 1 Samuel 18:4, Jonathan gave David his royal robe, his armor, his sword, and bow. We later find him willing to lay down his rightful claim to throne on David’s behalf! (1 Sam. 23:17). On the contrary, David’s success quickly ignited Saul’s jealousy. Saul’s attempts to take his life (1 Sam. 18, 23, 24, 26) became increasingly reckless as David’s popularity grew. Forced to flee, he amassed an army, overcoming those in his path, carefully noting both God’s consent and specific instructions for battle. I think it worth noting that despite years of fleeing his enemy, David never sought retribution against Saul. In fact, he spared his life (1 Sam. 24, 26), not once but twice, and even mourned his eventual death (2 Sam. 1). Evidence of a generous and forgiving heart!
After Saul’s death, David mourned Israel’s loss of Saul and Jonathan. Following this account in 2 Samuel 1, the elders came to anoint David king over Judah. Seven and a half years following, all the tribes of Israel came to anoint David king! Impressive in itself, yes, but there exists within a gem even more remarkable, hinting for us the caliber of David’s character. Three times anointed – first Samuel’s, second Judah’s and finally Israel’s – each revealing a David waiting. Never acting outright to assume the throne, David remained patient for God’s timing! With years between Samuel and his final anointing as king, his patience, courage, and surrender proved him just the king God wanted! He continually sought the direction of God and promise to a shepherd boy, in God’s perfect timing, proved itself complete. I love that! We wait – He completes!
In many ways the failures of a selfish Saul set the stage for the successes of a surrendered David. After conquering Jerusalem (from the Canaanite Jebusites) and establishing it as capital of Israel (2 Sam. 5), David set his sights again on the Philistines. After their defeat, he returned the Ark to Jerusalem – but not without learning painfully the importance of attention to God’s instructions! (2 Sam. 6) With military and political triumphs well on their way and rest on every side, David turned his attention to what really mattered – putting God in rightful place! Once again lesson paramount for us – after all, without Him as center of everything we are, on both big scale and small, efforts exist in vain, successes falter after time, and joy flees with hurry! How painfully I am still learning this matter of the heart!
In 2 Samuel 7, David declared his desire to build a house for the Ark. God, however, revealed a purpose different for David. Promising He would forever establish his throne, God set apart the task of building His temple for David’s son, Solomon. David would plan, but not live to see its fruition. As I studied, it wasn’t David’s request to build a house for God that impressed me. It was his reaction to God’s answer! Rather than argue or mope, David sat before God and uttered an awesome prayer of thanksgiving to a God deserving! In humility and reverence, He acknowledged his insignificance in light of God’s sovereign power! Content to rest in His plan, David simply praised. How I have failed to settle before Him in midst of circumstance I may not understand and simply rest in praise of all He may be doing or planning to do!
Lest you begin to view David as perfect, my friend, realize that he, just like the rest of us, made mistakes, sometimes huge ones with permanent ramifications. He committed adultery and murder, eventually dividing his family and inciting rebellion. Wrought with sin and its punishment, chapters 11 through 20 of 2 Samuel record the fall of David. In chapter 11, we find his first mistake, although seemingly subtle, kick his decline into a downward tailspin. Rather than go to battle as kings were to, David chose to remain home, idle. In that languid state, he saw Bathsheba and desired her. Even after learning she was wife of Uriah, one of his best soldiers, David sent for her. Worse further still, he arranged for the murder of Uriah after learning Bathsheba had conceived his child. God’s rebuke to David came through the prophet Nathan (2 Sam. 12), bringing with it promise that the sword would not depart his house and that his son born to Bathsheba would die. In years following, his house divided as David’s sons conspired against him, stole from him his throne, and even threatened his life (2 Sam. 13-20). Their rebellion eventually trampled, David’s throne was restored to him for the remaining years of his life. Failing again, David numbered his people after God commanded him not to – a three day pestilence ensued (2 Sam. 24)!
Certainly David, as any other person with a beating heart does, had his faults and along the way he made mistakes. (A part of me relishes that not-so-little detail simply because I am so familiar with mistakes of my own!) Regardless, this remains. David was not a man “after God’s own heart” because he told of his greatness or boasted of his accomplishments – I think it was simply because he acknowledged his shortcomings! When he failed, he knew it. He didn’t choose his way; He chose God’s. And each time he faltered, it absolutely shattered him. Why? Because his heart was God’s and he knew it! At his best and worst, He knew who he was and, more importantly, whose! He sinned, but he repented, rendered his heart open, and allowed God to cleanse, forgive, and restore!
We, my friend, on this side of the cross, can do just the same, with the promise of both justifying and sanctifying grace to be poured freely upon us! 1 John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Do you see? Clean and restored, no matter the filth washed away! 2 Samuel 7:1 notes that God granted David rest on every side. How He wants to do the same for us should we let Him! Friend, know today there is complete rest in forgiveness, in restoration, and in a heart made right by the only One who can see us for who we are! Mistakes we’ll make, falter we will, but when we fall, there He waits with presence to restore. How beautiful.
David, like no other writer, weaved words of deserving praise, sometimes in midst of personal anguish. Scripture is replete with his writings uttering full-blown praise, worship and exaltation. Showing his imperfections, many of his words are wrought with sorrowful tears, genuine heartache, and even repentance before a God capable to restore! Psalms, arguably the most beloved book in the Old Testament, holds 73 songs of David’s, each ascribing glory to God. Through David’s writing, we glean much about our standing in light of Him! Borrowing from David’s own words, glimpse a small rendering of all God accomplishes in our behalf. He surrounds us as shield (5:12), hears our voices (4:3), deals bountifully with us (13:6), counsels and instructs (16:7), delights in us and rescues us (18:19), hides us in Him (32:7), remains near our broken hearts (33:18), fills us with His abundance (36:8), delivers us from the pit (40:2), puts new song in our mouths (40:3), continually preserves (40:11), commands His loving kindness in the daytime and His song in the night (42:8), creates clean our hearts (51:10), upholds with right hand (63:8), daily bears our burdens (68:19), deals with us not as our sins deserve (103:10), accomplishes all that concerns us (138:8), searches and knows us (139:1), encloses us behind, before and above (139:5), sustains all who fall (145:14), and keeps all who love Him (145:20)!
Now one third of the way through Matthew’s genealogy, we have successfully scaled the boulder in our path! As we have seen so many times before in our journey, God specifically orchestrated His plan, arranging circumstance and character with Christ remaining centerpiece. Just as He brought forth eight from the flood, in this instance He preserved David, the eighth son, for His anointing! As prophesied in Isaiah 11, Christ came from the stump of Jesse. Once again, God did the unexpected. Out of the obscurity of Jesse’s life came Israel’s king, David, his very life a shadow of the Messiah King. Christ, Son of David, hung Himself sovereign on His cross, rose after three days, sits on throne in Heaven, and one day will return to restore and rule the nations! While waiting, He offers life anew for any to receive. Out of our obscurity He calls us, granting us meaning in Him and making our ordinary into extraordinary!
Just as David did, know who you are, shortcomings and all, and beat your heart for the One who makes a difference! David, in his prayer recorded in 2 Samuel 7, uttered one of my favorite verses in scripture’s entirety. With perspective grounding force, he said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?” Why He should shine His significance on this insignificant me I will never understand. Why His stripes of sorrow settled my score I simply can’t fathom. Why His depth of mercy holds reserve for me I’ll never grasp. Who am I? My best answer and only one sufficient – HIS.
From David we see it really is simply a matter of the heart. Let yours be His in every way.