January 17 - David

January 17 - David

Have you put it together that King David was a redhead?  Yup … That’s not something we generally think of when we imagine the Semitic races (Arabs, Jews, etc.).  But, 1 Samuel 16:12 says, “Now he was ruddy (red-haired) and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome.”  When he went up against Goliath, the Philistine wasn’t terribly threatened, for “When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.” (1 Samuel 17:42)

There is no way to tell the entirety of David's story in a few short words.  He was given much and the promise that from his throne would come salvation for Israel was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

David was a shepherd and when Samuel came to see Jesse so as to find the next King of Israel, he was out working, rather than waiting to see the prophet.  David was a musician and played his lyre and sang for King Saul when his spirit was troubled.  Saul loved David and David became best friend’s with Jonathan, Saul’s son.  After David killed Goliath, though, Saul grew jealous … murderously jealous and David had to finally leave, running back to Samuel.

When Saul finally died (along with Jonathan), David became king over Judah at the age of thirty and later king over all of Israel.  With this, he decided to move from Hebron to Jerusalem. He brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, erected a new tent … tabernacle and set all in order for the worship of God to happen in Jerusalem.  (1 Chr. 16).

David went to war and greatly extended his kingdom (2 Sam. 8). But, at his greatest height, he had his greatest fall … adultery, murder, lies … and through that, he grew close to God in his penitence.  His son, Solomon, was born and peace came to the land.

David wanted to build a temple for the Ark, but because he had been a man of war, God would not allow it.  That opportunity would be given to his son.

Then came the rebellion of his eldest son, Absalom, wounding David terribly, but with his death, peace returned to the kingdom.  David died at the age of 70, after having reigned 40 ½ years.  His last words (2 Sam. 23:1-7) show his faith in God and confidence in God’s promises.

David’s power rose and fell, but he remained close to the Lord he loved.