Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................1
Chapter 1
THE YOUTH........................................................3
Anointing...........................................................3
First Trials of Faith...............................................6
At the Court........................................................9
Chapter 2
THE SCHOOL OF FAITH.............................................15
Formation..........................................................15
The Efforts of Satan...............................................24
Toward the Throne..................................................27
Chapter 3
THE KING........................................................31
Inner Strengthening................................................31
Domination over External Enemies...................................36
The Work of the Enemy..............................................38
Chapter 4
THE FATHER OF A FAMILY..........................................47
Wives..............................................................47
Children...........................................................51
Chapter 5
THE TYPE OF CHRIST..............................................59
Suffering and Glories..............................................59
Center of Gathering................................................62
Object of Devotedness..............................................65
Chapter 6
THE INNER LIFE..................................................75
The Psalms.........................................................76
The Evening of David's Life........................................84
The Last Words of David............................................86
He Fell Asleep.....................................................88
Introduction
"David ... in his own generation ministered to the will of God" (Acts 13:36 J.N.D).
"David's biography occupies more room in the Bible (60 chapters) than of any other man except that of the Lord Jesus (the 89 chapters of the gospels). Also about half the Psalms are ascribed to his authorship. David's example is constantly men¬tioned, especially in comparison with the kings after him. In the New Testament he is quoted fifty-eight times, an evident proof of the importance attached by divine revelation to this man of faith.
Although David is a remarkable type of Christ, in various parts of his history and throughout the Psalms he is presented to us as "a man with a nature like ours." That the faults — the serious errors — of such a conspicuous servant are neither hidden nor veiled is in itself an internal demonstra¬tion of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures.
David's career can be considered from four standpoints:
1. Historically — describing the formation and life of a man of God.
2. Morally — challenging us to learn from his history. In what ways should we imitate him? How can we avoid the dangers which arose in his path?
3. Prophetically — typically presenting the Lord Jesus as well as the future remnant of Israel. In this, David's life acquires its full significance.
4. Practically — considering the moral lessons which we can learn from his life.
We will concern ourselves especially with the practical lessons of his life:
1. The faith which was the mainspring of his walk from his youth up.
2. The disciplinary training to which he was subjected by God, and which formed him as an instrument to minister to God's own will in his own generation.
3. The responsibility under God's government which attached to his actions and their consequences.
4. His family life which failed to maintain the level of his youth and inner life.
As a complement to these talks on David's life we strongly advise the reader to carefully read various studies that are available, such as:
H. Rossier: 1 and 2 Samuel; 1 Chronicles.
J.N. Darby: 1 and 2 Samuel.
C.H. Mackintosh: The Life and Times of David
All quotations are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION, Thomas Nelson Publishers, New York, unless otherwise noted.
George Andre
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