DAVID

 

 

 

The Man After God’s Own Heart
Character Traits to Learn and Adopt

OUR GOALS

  1. For you to catch a vision of being like the man God loved and told us so much about.
  2. The chief aim of religion, especially our religion, is to learn how to please God better.
  3. Every day you make all choices based on priorities; David had exceptional priorities.
  4. Why I live, breathe, labor, and pray is for each of you to be God’s delightful favorite.
  5. I can tell you that I want you to be like David … every man, woman, and child here.
  6. I have tried to have the content balance of the Bible, which greatly emphasizes David.
  7. God’s providence brought us this subject, while your pastor was studying in John 8.
  8. I despise and grieve over fruitless, passionless, mediocre Christians, so He helped me.
  9. There is only value here, as in any preaching, if you repent and change to conform.
  10. There are N.T. matching scriptures for every point, but it would overwhelm our study.
  11. There are matching lessons in our Lord’s life for each point, but that is not our goal.
  12. Each point you should ask yourself … am I like that? Do others know that about me?
  13. All young men should aspire and desire to be like this prince before God and all men.
  14. All men are not equal – David exceeded brothers, Saul, Joab, Solomon, everyone, etc.
  15. This study is intentionally superficial – to cover many varied points in a short time.
  16. This study is not exhaustive; other traits could be developed from the inspired record.
  17. These traits are not in any particular order – they should each be studied individually.
  18. All Men Are Not Equal (PowerPoint slides) … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2013/men-are-not-equal/.
  19. Differences in Men (PowerPoint slides) … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2016/differences-in-men/.
  20. Commentary – Proverbs 12:26 … https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-12/proverbs-12-26/.

HIS SPECIAL PLACE

  1. God identified David for us as the man after His own heart (I Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22).
  2. God delighted in David, and we seek some reasons why (Ps 18:19; 37:23; I Kgs 10:9).
  3. God made him great in the earth with a reputation like the great men (II Samuel 7:9).
  4. He was God’s favorite and all kings were measured by him (I Chr 28:4; I Kgs 15:3-5).
  5. He was the greatest praise and worship leader in the history of the OT or NT church.
  6. No man has a guaranteed eternal legacy by name and office like David through Christ.
  7. More details of David’s life from youth to death are recorded than for any other man.
  8. More of his fears, sins, thoughts, prayers, and praise are recorded than for any other.
  9. We know more about his character, conduct, and conscience than any other ten men.
  10. Biographies motivate men, but this extensive biography in God’s library is inspired.
  11. The world talks of a renaissance man – a complete, perfect man – but David trumps.
  12. David combined the greatest virtues, manly deeds, and spiritual zeal for God and men.
  13. God and Israel loved David – he had the name and loving favor we should (Pr 22:1).
  14. David had heinous sins in his life, yet he was still God’s favorite – hope for sinners.
  15. What do you really know about the heart of any other man in the Bible in comparison?
  16. For those confused folks that claim Christ (I Cor 1:12), try first to be more like David.
  17. Jesus is Son of David by both parents and declared so with honor (Mat 1:1; Re 22:16).
  18. Self-righteous men slight David for sins, but their worthless lives never approach his.
  19. He is in the Hall of Faith of Hebrews 11, which makes him one of the witnesses of us.
  20. David occurs in the Bible 968 times – Abraham (280), Jacob (345), Joseph (229), etc.
  21. Related series in 2004 … The Heart of David … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2004/heart-of-david/.
    1. Heart Like God’s Heart 26. Loved Works of God 51. He Was Liberal Giver
    2. Zeal for God’s House 27. Loved Music for God 52. Humble, Meek, and Modest
    3. Zeal for God’s Worship 28. Above and Beyond Duty 53. He Loved God’s Beauty
    4. Zeal for Congregational Worship 29. Gentle and Tender Spirit 54. He Loved Sound Doctrine
    5. Extraordinary Love for God 30. Not Deterred By Setbacks 55. His Conscience Was Sensitive
    6. Exploited His Retirement Years 31. Understood God’s Holy Hatred 56. He Craved God’s Spirit
    7. He Loved Great Mercy 32. Loved All Righteous Men 57. He Honored His Parents
    8. Respected God’s Civil Rulers 33. Loved Even His Enemies 58. Good Leader as King
    9. Profound Effect on Others 34. Patient When Under Duress 59. No Compromise with Sinners
    10. Loved Praising His God 35. Man of Daily Prayer 60. Was Friendly with Friends
    11. Loved Thanking His God 36. Holy Reasoning with God 61. He Had Bold Courage
    12. Expressive of His Emotions 37. Hope in Present Life 62. Exalted Peace and Unity
    13. Zealous for Good Things 38. Hope in Future Life 63. Righteous Indignation against Wicked
    14. Loved All God’s Words 39. Night Muser with God 64. Managed Severe Spiritual Trials
    15. Sins Didn’t Stop Him 40. Self-Examined His Own Soul 65. He Was Generally Happy
    16. Knew Duty of Holiness 41. Meditated with Holy Musing 66. Understood God’s Ethical Wisdom
    17. Knew Duty of Righteousness 42. Simple Man and Goals 67. Diligently Sought First Love
    18. Submissive to God’s Will 43. Fearless When Facing Danger 68. He Understood God’s Chastening
    19. Properly Viewed His Family 44. Contented with God Himself 69. Balanced Prayer and Action
    20. Passionate for Good Things 45. Repented Quickly for Forgiveness 70. Discerning Ability to Change
    21. Ruled His Passionate Spirit 46. Christ Lover by Prophecy 71. Thought Outside the Box
    22. Lived Intentionally for Cause 47. Delighted in God Himself 72. He Practiced Generous Hospitality
    23. Gracious Toward All Men 48. Rule His Melancholy Temperament 73. He Was Very Loyal
    24. Good Father to Solomon 49. Overall Rule of Women 74. Much Wisdom in General
    25. Took Others’ Advice Well 50. He Always Trusted God 75. He Couldn’t Outgive God
    26. He Was Not Content

#1 … HEART LIKE GOD’S HEART

  1. God chose David, youngest and least of eight, due to his heart (I Sam 13:14; 16:1-13).
    1. Samuel, a great prophet, was certain Eliab had to be God’s chosen man (I Sa 16:6).
    2. God made clear He looked on the heart, not the outward appearance (I Sam 16:7).
    3. David’s greatness began in his heart, which he had prepared in fields with sheep.
    4. Your heart directs your life, thus need for diligent care, and David did it (Pr 4:23).
    5. God approved and appreciated David’s thoughts, passions, and actions in general.
  2. Consider David’s enthusiastic response to God’s request for intimacy (Psalm 27:8-9).
    1. He would write further about this face-to-face desire of men (Psalm 24:6; 105:3-4).
    2. Consider how David counted the LORD his exceeding great joy (Ps 43:4; 71:23).
  3. Birth order, outward looks, popular esteem, job, or family should not discourage any.
  4. God sees the inside; He sees what we do inside (Heb 4:12-13; Matt 6:1-18; Ps 101:2).
  5. If David was the man after God’s heart, then learning about David will show us God.
  6. For much more detail about David’s heart …https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/heart-of-david.pdf.
  7. For much more detail about a good heart … https://letgodbetrue.com/.

#2 … ZEAL FOR GOD’S HOUSE

  1. David loved the house of God like no other man with great passion and costly service.
  2. Consider (Psalm 26:8; 27:4; 42:4; 63:1-2; 65:4; 84:1-2; 84:10; 122:1; 122:6; 122:8-9).
  3. David loved exclusions and body bags in the house of God (Psalm 101:8; 144:7-8,11).
  4. He showed zeal by proposing a temple to replace the tent he had made (II Sam 6:17).
  5. It could not be an ordinary house; it had to be exceeding magnifical (I Chr 22:5; 29:1).
  6. Exceeding Magnifical … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2008/exceeding-magnifical/.

#3 …ZEAL FOR GOD’S WORSHIP

  1. His efforts to move the ark early in his reign were exceptional and very unlike Saul.
    1. Saul left the ark for forty years where it ended up from the Philistines under Eli.
    2. David quickly made a first attempt, but God halted it for a violation (II Sa 6:1-11).
    3. Even this early he used a large number of varied musical instruments (II Sam 6:5).
    4. His efforts to move the ark again were exceptional and extensive (II Sam 6:12-19).
    5. He danced with all his might in public; he fed the whole nation with a fine meal.
  2. He divorced Michal and severely punished her, no matter his previous love for her, because her profane, worldly perspective caused her to foolishly criticize his worship.
  3. He poured out water from the well in Bethlehem as an offering to God (II Sam 23:16).
  4. There are many mentions of worship in Psalms and many related aspects of worship.
    1. His desire for the house of God was for the worship of God in that house (Ps 27:4).
    2. He thought it wrong God was worshipped in a tent; he tried to build Him a temple.
    3. He organized choirs and instrumental music to perpetually praise God by courses.
  5. For David as God’s greatest musician … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2013/david-the-musician/.

#4 … ZEAL FOR CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP

  1. It is to David’s Psalms that we appeal for public praise (Psalm 22:25; 35:18; 40:9-10).
  2. It is David that wrote extensively about brothers and companions in worship (Ps 122).
  3. He remembered with constant tears about worshipping with a multitude (Ps 42:3-4).
  4. He declared the glory of praising God alongside others (Ps 34:1-3; 66:8; 103:20-22).
  5. He included every creature from angels to young men and maidens (Psalm 148:1-14).
  6. At the end of his life, David still taught the church to worship God (I Chr 29:20-21).
  7. He did not need Hebrews 10:25 to remind him about others; he was already convicted.

#5 … EXTRAORDINARY LOVE FOR GOD

  1. David publicly declared in writing his great love for God and why (Ps 18:1; 116:1).
  2. God Himself was David’s great joy, gladness, and delight (Psalm 43:4; Ps 21:6; 37:4).
  3. His dancing while moving the Ark of the Covenant was spontaneous and affectionate.
  4. Love should express itself in some meaningful way, and David’s Psalms reflect much.
  5. He dreamed up the idea of a temple for God, even though God had not hinted for one!
  6. When he could not build the temple for the LORD, David did all the fundraising for it.
  7. If you read the Psalms with thoughtful perspective, you will see David’s love for God.

#6 … EXPLOITED HIS RETIREMENT YEARS

  1. When he had victory over all his enemies, he worried about God’s house (II Sa 7:1-2).
  2. Up to the day of his death he was occupied with gathering material for it to be special.
  3. At the very end he continued to exhort the congregation to worship God (I Chr 29:20).
  4. When he was old and grey, he was still concerned about conveying truth (Ps 71:18).
  5. How can we think to take life easy when we can serve the Lord with less distraction?

#7 … HE LOVED SHOWING MERCY

  1. His eulogy of Saul is unprecedented by ignoring faults to praise him (II Sam 1:17-27).
  2. He resented the hardness of his nephews, though they were very loyal (II Sam 3:39).
  3. He even ordered Shimei to be protected and vowed to not kill him (II Sam 19:18-23).
  4. He forgave Abner and Amasa, two generals against him, contrary to the usual action.
  5. You that allow or enjoy bitterness and revenge, you lack this precious trait of David.
  6. His rule about the 200 too tired to continue is good, practical mercy (I Sam 30:7-25).
  7. He was taken by a wise woman of Tekoah appealing for Absalom (II Sam 14:1-11).
  8. If you know David’s God the way David did and you should, it will reflect outward.
    1. David knew God’s mercy (I Sam 21:1-6; II Sa 12:14-25; 24:10-15; Ps 103:10-18).
    2. You will love mercy and not be offended, for God loves mercy (Micah 6:8; 7:18).
    3. If a person easily gets offended, then it shows they truly do not know or love God.
    4. David had great mercy to others, so God showed him personal mercy (Ps 18:25).
    5. Can you follow the incredible cycle of God’s mercy, David’s mercy, God’s mercy?

#8 … RESPECTED GOD’S CIVIL RULERS

  1. He understood civil rulers were foundational pillars of society (Ps 11:3; 75:2-3; 82:5).
  2. He wrote excellent advice for kings/pastors in several Psalms (Psalm 2; 75; 101; 144).
  3. He resisted very reasonable impulses and great peer pressure to honor a wicked ruler.
    1. You have never come close to living under a government as corrupt as Saul’s rule.
    2. You have never had a civil ruler personally out to destroy you in any way possible.
    3. You have never had a civil ruler order the killing of God’s priests like evil Doeg.
    4. You have never been chosen by God to replace a ruler that hated and troubled you.
    5. Yet, when David had two openings (and more) to kill Saul, he did not touch him.
  4. He showed ferocity in two situations (maybe more) against men that mistreated rulers.
    1. He killed a man that lied about killing King Saul on the battlefield (II Sam 1:1-16).
    2. He killed two men that thought killing Ishbosheth would please him (II Sa 4:9-12).

#9 … PROFOUND EFFECT ON OTHERS

  1. From the beginning, men followed David for exceptional character in various ways.
    1. Saul loved him when he was only a minstrel playing to soothe him (I Sam 16:21).
    2. Jonathan, the considerably older prince of Israel, loved him greatly (I Sam 18:1-4).
    3. He was quickly accepted by all the people and won their hearts (I Sam 18:5,16,30).
    4. Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David, though her father hated him (I Sa 18:20,28).
    5. When David had to flee from Saul, all kinds of men followed him (I Sam 22:1-2).
    6. It is stated that all the people of Israel liked to follow David’s liberty (II Sam 3:36).
    7. Fighting men of Zebulun, expert in war, had a single heart for David (I Chr 12:33).
  2. He had mighty men that did exploits (II Samuel 21:15-22; 23:8-39; I Chron 11:1-47).
    1. Three risked their lives for water from Bethlehem for David (II Samuel 23:13-17).
    2. Six hundred Gittites, of Goliath’s city of Gath, were bodyguards (II Sam 15:21).
    3. There were also Cherethites and Pelethites, areas of Philistia, that followed David.
  3. Many kings and princes loved David – Saul, Jonathan, Achish, king of Moab, Hiram.
  4. When he gave for the temple God had not sought, the princes followed (I Chr 29:1-9).
  5. The allure of David has continued nearly unabated for 3000 years among Christians.
  6. More about the mighty men of David … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2004/davids-mighty-men/.
  7. David won and lost Israel’s hearts … https://letgodbetrue.com/.

#10 … LOVED PRAISING THE LORD

  1. David is the greatest praise and worship leader in the Bible or ever since (Ps 34:1-3)!
    1. His Psalms are full of praise; they lift the heart and mind by passionate declaration.
    2. He emphasized praise (Ps 33:1; 40:1-3; 50:23; 71:8,14-15; 92:1; 145:1-2; 147:1).
    3. The New Testament tells us to continue use of his psalms (Ep 5:19; Jas 5:13; etc.).
    4. David delighted in God like no other, but he also loved expressing it to the LORD.
  2. David understood N.T. principles of worship even in the O.T. (Psalm 47:7; 69:30-32).
  3. Family integrated worship was what David loved and emphasized (Ps 71:18; 79:13).
  4. David was even committed to praising God more and more (Ps 71:14; 145:2; 146:2).
  5. His commitment to music included poetic lyrics, instruments, choirs, players, etc., etc.
  6. David was committed to public praise in the large assemblies of people (Ps 35:18).
  7. We sing, “Break forth and extol the great Ancient of Days.” Do you truly break forth?
  8. For David as God’s greatest musician … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2013/david-the-musician/.

#11 … LOVED THANKING THE LORD

  1. David was obsessed with giving thanks, to verbally thank God for His many blessings.
  2. God is to be worshipped with thanksgiving (Ps 6:5; 95:1-3; 105:1; 107:22; 116:17).
  3. He was even committed to give thanks throughout his future (Psalm 30:12; 119:62).
  4. He knew it was a good thing (Ps 92:1); he pressed men to do it (Ps 107:1; 136:1-3).
  5. He reasoned with the LORD to preserve his life in order to give thanks (Psalm 6:4-5).
  6. He had such a right view that he gave thanks for God’s holiness (Psalm 30:4; 97:12).
  7. David was committed to public thanks, in the large assemblies of people (Ps 35:18).
  8. Giving thanks is God’s will in Jesus for N.T. believers (I Thes 5:18). What about you?

#12 … EXPRESSIVE OF HIS EMOTIONS

  1. His Psalms cover every human emotion, and those emotions are laid bare for us to see.
  2. He was not the strong, silent type; it is hard to imagine him tolerating such dullness.
  3. His praise, thanksgiving, and prayers were usually passionate and very intense (Ps 5:11; 6:6; 28:2; 32:11; 34:1-3; 47:1; 69:3; 98:4; 106:47-48; 119:136; 134:2; etc., etc.).
  4. He followed Abner’s funeral bier with fasting, weeping, and sackcloth (II Sa 3:31-39).
  5. His eulogy for Saul and Jonathan was exceptionally emotional and personal by David.
  6. He wrote Psalms in which he revealed even conversations with himself (Psalm 42,43).
  7. He poured out water from Bethlehem obtained by his friends at their risk of their lives.
  8. He kissed and blessed the old man Barzillai, who had helped him earlier (II Sa 19:39).

#13 … ZEALOUS FOR GOOD THINGS

  1. If there was something good to do, especially for God, he was after it with great zeal.
  2. Great men (or women) are zealously affected always in good things (Galatians 4:18).
  3. We first see this trait of David displayed when he heard Goliath blaspheme his God.
    1. He immediately inquired about the situation and volunteered fearlessly to do it.
    2. He recounted zeal against a bear and lion, the proverbial excuses of the slothful.
    3. He ran to meet Goliath; he did not fortify himself; he took five stones for brothers.
    4. For much detail about David’s cause, https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2006/is-there-not-a-cause/.
  4. When Saul required 100 Philistine foreskins for his daughter, David counted out 200!
  5. When he chose to move the Ark, he danced with all his might, and he fed all of Israel.
  6. When he was allowed to fund God’s temple, it had to be exceeding magnifical in cost.
  7. When he destroyed the nation of Ammon, he severely punished them (saws and kilns).

#14 … LOVED ALL GOD’S WORDS

  1. David loved God’s scriptures above any other man (Psalm 1:1-3; 19:7-11; 119:1-176).
    1. Remember! He only had five books of Moses! You have the whole divine library.
    2. No one can take up a Bible to exalt scripture without referencing these dear places.
    3. David’s statements about scripture move men (Ps 1:2-3; 19:10; 119:72,111; etc.).
    4. His creative work in Hebrew for Psalm 119 and its 22 sections of 8 verses is sweet.
    5. The details of Psalm 119 (in English Bibles) – one verse at a time – are wonderful.
  2. This trait, though short in its description here, is one of the most glorious about David.
    1. God loves His word and words, and He favors the men that love them (Is 66:1-2).
    2. The mark of greatness – the measure of true fear and love of God – is God’s word.
    3. If you have God’s words, you can crush dreams and destroy errors (Jer 23:28-29).
    4. Without the mirror of God’s word, you do not have means to grow (Jas 1:21-25).
    5. Wisdom – any kind of wisqdom – is found in God’s words, and David exalted them.

#15 … SINS DIDN’T STOP HIM

  1. God recorded the sins of the man after His own heart for you to have hope (Ro 15:4).
    1. He sinned by murderous anger at Nabal and men (I Sam 25:13,21-22,26,31,33-34).
    2. He sinned by polygamy – for horrible results (Gen 2:18,22; Deut 17:17; Mal 2:15).
    3. He sinned by moving the ark of the covenant contrary to God’s law (I Chr 15:13).
    4. He sinned by not killing Joab for murder (II Sa 3:39; 18:14; 20:9-10; I Kgs 2:5-6).
    5. He sinned by adultery – an aggravated case due to his harem (II Sa 11:1-5; 12:1-9).
    6. He sinned by murder – conspiracy to kill a friend in battle (II Sa 11:14-15; 23:39).
    7. He sinned by collateral damage – killing others by foolish tactics (II Sa 11:14-25).
    8. He sinned by hasty judgment to believe slander of Ziba (II Sa 16:1-4 cp 19:24-30).
    9. He sinned by numbering Israel in pride, costing 70,000 lives (II Samuel 24:1-14).
    10. He sinned as a father and king by allowing the sedition of Adonijah (I Kgs 1:5-8).
    11. He sinned by missing Absalom’s sedition – the forty years (II Sa 15:6-7; Pr 25:2).
    12. He sinned by grieving more for traitor Absalom than his own men (II Sam 19:1-8).
  2. He overlooked the feast of booths (Neh 8:17) … or at least like this (II Chr 8:13; etc.).
  3. While confessing his greatest sins, he stated plans to do more for God (Ps 51:13,15).
  4. He understood Ezekiel 18:21-22 rather than fret about parental influence in his sins.
  5. He was great or greater after his sins than before; see his late-life accomplishments.

#16 … UNDERSTOOD DUTY OF HOLINESS

  1. He counted holiness the beauty of God (Ps 29:2; 30:4; 93:5; 96:9; 97:12; 99:3,5,9).
  2. His measure of faith toward a holy God was mostly by action Psalm 15 and Psalm 24.
  3. David made a very strong statement of the holiness of his house (Ps 86:2; 101:1-8).
  4. David knew how a young man could cleanse his way with a holy God (Psalm 119:9).
  5. David referred to God’s holiness in approaching him (Ps 5:7; 11:4; 15:1; 24:3; etc.).

#17 … UNDERSTOOD DUTY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

  1. He understood that he had personal and practical righteousness that God counted his.
  2. He made an extended description of God rewarding him for obedience (Ps 18:20-26).
  3. He further applied this reward to righteous men in general (Psalm 112; Ps 15; Ps 24).
  4. He often taught that God would reward those persons that were obedient and practically righteous (Ps 18:25-26; 19:11; 34:12-22; 37:1-11,16,23; 58:10-11; 106:3).
  5. It is a pity some confused Christians praise legal righteousness but deny the practical.
    1. He had no use for a fatalistic view of righteousness leaving him with reduced duty.
    2. He did not apologize for his personal righteousness, doing right, and being upright.
    3. He knew God had rewarded him for choosing practical and personal righteousness.
    4. He appreciated God’s reward for his personal righteousness rather than dismiss it.
    5. He appealed to his differentiating righteousness before king Saul (I Sam 26:23-24).
  6. You cannot be like David, unless you live righteously like David (Psalm 18:19-26).

#18 … SUBMISSIVE TO GOD’S WILL

  1. Remember the second reason why David loved the house of the LORD (Psalm 27:4).
  2. He asked God’s will in detail (II Samuel 2:1; 5:19,23,25; I Sam 23:1-5,9-14; 30:7-8).
  3. He submitted to God’s will by prophets i.e. no temple, baby death, three options, etc.
  4. He prayed for God to direct, lead, and teach (Ps 25:4-5; 27:11; 86:11; 143:8; 119:35).
  5. Our source of God’s will like the ephod is the word, Spirit, prayer, counselors, etc.

#19 … PROPERLY VIEWED HIS FAMILY

  1. He generally did not compromise for family members and relatives that were ungodly.
  2. He eventually had Joab killed, but he declared his wickedness early (II Sa 3:28-29,39).
  3. He said – too hard for me – loyal sons of his sister Zeruiah (II Sa 3:39; 16:10; 19:22).
  4. He divorced Michal and severely punished her, no matter his previous love for her, which shows his commitment to discipleship before his Son taught it (Luke 14:26-33).
  5. He made a strong declaration to God about those allowed in his house (Ps 101:3-8).
  6. He was comforted, not confused or hurt, when Absalom killed Amnon (II Sam 13:39); he was outraged by his firstborn son’s fornication rape of a sister (II Samuel 13:21).
  7. One good son was enough for him – Solomon – whom he taught (I Chr 28:5; Pr 4:3).
  8. He was wrong about Absalom – basic logic and morality; Joab corrected his nepotism.

#20 … PASSIONATE FOR GOOD THINGS

  1. What David chose to do, especially toward God, he did with great personal passion.
    1. Try to find a distinction, even if slight, between David’s passion and his great zeal.
    2. Let zeal be mainly the outward performance of his inner heart filled with passion.
    3. He loved God and personally delighted in Him and everything pertaining to Him.
    4. He had a heart to feel and think to dance! He allowed it freedom to do so mightily.
  2. Where did David’s idea of a temple come from? The passion of his heart (I Chr 28:2)!
    1. This was no mere mental choice, and it was not prompted by any revealed duty.
    2. When limited to raising funds for it – it had to be an exceeding magnifical palace.
  3. Music is said to be the language of the soul – and it reflects passion more than zeal.
    1. When we first read about David’s reputation, he was already skilful at playing.
    2. There are few other worship songs in the Bible that can compare to those of David.
    3. The instrumental music for tabernacle and temple he ordered was way over the top.
  4. Consider the personal passion for him to pour out the water from Bethlehem’s well.
  5. If anything is worth doing – anything for God counts – it is worth doing passionately.
    1. Most Christians cannot say Amen! in a service. They have zero passion for God, and this in spite of the fact Paul expected Christians to say Amen! (I Cor 14:16).
    2. Duty in a Christian action without passion is perfunctory routine – minimal value.

#21 … RULED HIS PASSIONATE SPIRIT

  1. A possible problem or temptation with passionate people is inability to rule the spirit.
  2. Saul was passionate – moods, anger, impulsive violence. He was profanely passionate.
  3. David could have killed Saul easily, in military action, at least twice, but he did not.
  4. David could have killed Shimei, but he knew why the event occurred (II Sa 16:5-14).
  5. He perfectly handled the death of his son by adultery with Bathsheba (II Sa 12:15-25).
  6. He could have overthrown Saul by popularity, sedition, treason, or death, but did not.
  7. Elijah and Jonah, among others, may have begged for suicide, but David rose about it.

#22 … LIVED FOR A CAUSE

  1. Living a routine merely out of habit or tradition is not truly living at all – get a cause!
  2. David had a cause – God’s glory, which he declared when hearing Goliath (I Sam 17).
  3. As soon as he was in office and the ark was accessible, he moved it though Saul left it.
  4. He was highly offended and rightly so for Michal disrespecting his worship of God.
  5. When things relaxed (enemies defeated), he found a new cause for the cause (temple).
  6. When he could not build for the new cause, he raised the funds needed for the cause.
  7. He sought first the kingdom of God, and God added to him all the things he needed.
  8. For much about David’s cause … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2006/is-there-not-a-cause/.
  9. Great men live for a great cause … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2012/greatness-by-a-great-cause/.

#23 … GRACIOUS TOWARD ALL MEN

  1. After killing Goliath, there was good reason to be proud, but not David (I Sam 17:58).
  2. David perfectly fulfilled Proverbs 22:11, which Solomon knew all the details about.
    1. There is no better verse in Proverbs than this rule of heart and speech for greatness.
    2. David instantly won the soul of Jonathan, his senior by 20-25 years (I Sam 18:1-5).
  3. When David heard about marrying Saul’s daughter, he denied worth (I Sam 18:18,23).
  4. When he could have killed Saul or taken the kingdom many ways, he was gracious.
  5. Returning after Absalom’s revolt, he tried to convince Barzillai to live in his palace.
  6. He was gracious to 200 of his men too tired to go on with 400 to recover their assets.

#24 … GOOD FATHER TO SOLOMON

  1. David neglected some children in his polygamous family, but he did teach Solomon.
  2. Solomon, when writing Proverbs, identified some things David taught him (Pr 4:1-9).
  3. No wonder Solomon asked for wisdom when God offered anything (I Kings 3:5-13).
  4. Note how David tenderly charged his son to worship his God (I Chr 28:8-10; 29:19).
  5. David wrote about personally teaching his children the fear of the LORD (Ps 34:11).
  6. Other good men with bad children … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2017/good-men-with-bad-children/.

#25 … TOOK OTHERS’ ADVICE WELL

  1. Solomon would write later that this is one of the greatest necessary traits for wisdom.
  2. David, though anointed king of Israel, submitted to a woman – Abigail (I Samuel 25)
  3. He responded instantly to repent when confronted by Nathan (II Sa 12:13; 24:18-25).
  4. He responded quickly and rightly to Bathsheba when she asked for her son Solomon.
  5. He responded to Joab’s use of the wise woman of Tekoah, as Joab knew he would.
  6. He accepted Joab’s instruction and warning to stop nepotistic mourning for Absalom.
  7. David declared one of the great verses in the Bible about loving correction (Ps 141:5).

#26 … LOVED WORKS OF GOD

  1. David loved the works of God more than others (Ps 26:7; 71:17; 78:4,7,11; 111:2,4).
  2. He loved God’s works of creation of all kinds (Ps 74:16-17; 96:5; 104:19,26; 136:5).
  3. He loved God’s works of providence (Ps 18:36,43; 37:23; 68:9; 107:1-43; 147:8).
  4. He loved His works of salvation of all kinds (Ps 40:10; 62:2,6-7; 70:4; 71:15; 74:12).
  5. He loved God’s works of judgment (Ps 7:15-16; 9:15-17; 46:8; 55:23; 73:18; 105:32).
  6. He loved His works of personal deliverance (Ps 18:17,43; 22:5; 34:4,6; 54:7; 56:13).
  7. He loved His works of answered prayers (Ps 18:6-7; 31:22; 40:1; 66:18-20; 116:1-9).
  8. What other works can you think of that David loved? Do you love the works of God?

#27 … LOVED MUSIC FOR GOD

  1. We first met David by reputation and performance with a harp (I Samuel 16:14-23).
  2. He involved a large number of varied musical instruments in the beginning (II Sa 6:5).
  3. David ended his life as the sweet psalmist of Israel of Israel, not bad for a man of war.
  4. During his life he wrote lyrics (psalms) and created the music (invented instruments).
  5. He had music both day and night (I Ch 6:31-33; 9:33; 16:36-43; Ps 134:1-2; 135:1-3).
  6. What is the biggest orchestra you have heard? His orchestra was 4000 (I Chron 23:5).
  7. Under Hezekiah, 340 years after David, they still followed his lead (II Chr 29:25-30).
  8. The same was true under king Josiah, 440 years after our David (II Chronicles 35:15).
  9. There are many, many references to singing (Ps 47:6-7; 92:1; 104:33; 146:2; 147:1).
  10. David wanted singing and playing done skillfully and loudly (Ps 33;3 98:4; 150:5).
  11. But he also taught the importance of doing it with understanding like Paul (Ps 47:7).
  12. David did not love the junk that goes for most CCM today and most church music.
  13. He did not entertain the use of bluegrass, rock, classical, or other worldly forms of it.
  14. He loved praising Jehovah with deep doctrine and passionate promises of sober hearts.
  15. For much more about David as musician … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2013/david-the-musician/.

#28 … ABOVE AND BEYOND DUTY

  1. Most Christians do the bare minimum to avoid criticism, correction, and/or exclusion.
  2. David went farther than any to invent things for God’s glory i.e. instruments, temple.
  3. When Saul asked for 100 foreskins, David brought 200. He never barely made grade!
  4. Average Christians and traditional church meetings are often nauseously inadequate.
  5. The palace is for God, not man, so it deserves gathering with all might (I Chr 29:1-5)
  6. Exceeding magnifical was his desire for the worship of God (I Chr 22:5). Is it yours?
  7. David understood Malachi’s glorious and sober warning about worship (Mal 1:14).
  8. We want to continue our zeal, fatted-calf feasts, prayer meetings, three services, etc.

#29 … GENTLE AND TENDER SPIRIT

  1. When 200 men could go no further, he let them rest and still share (I Sam 30:21-25).
  2. He resented his nephews’ harshness, though very loyal to him (II Sam 3:39; 19:22).
  3. He cried and mourned for Saul and Jonathan, when they were slain (II Sam 1:17-27).
  4. Joab knew he could use the woman of Tekoa to bring Absalom back (II Sam 14:1-10).
  5. Asaph by inspiration described king David like a gentle, kind shepherd (Ps 78:70-72).

#30 … NOT DETERRED BY SETBACKS

  1. How many men could see no progress for 15 years after anointing and stay faithful?
    1. Most Christians will be discouraged and second-guess matters in weeks or months.
    2. He loved God with great zeal in spite of 10-15 years of trouble running like a dog.
    3. Do you live in light of God’s promises, if lacking any visible evidence for them?
  2. Though seriously frightened by the first attempt, he attempted to move the Ark again.
  3. Though stopped in his plans for building the temple, he simply adjusted to pay for it.
  4. He was not destroyed by his very great sins, but rather committed to get busy for God.
  5. For more about sins not discouraging him, see point above, Sins Didn’t Stop Him.
  6. Went back to work on projects for God after returning from exile due to Absalom.
  7. Knew how to encourage himself in the Lord even at burning of Ziklag (I Sam 30:6).

#31 … UNDERSTOOD GOD’S HOLY HATRED

  1. It is politically, socially, and religiously incorrect to hate in this effeminate generation.
    1. Legislators have actually taken time to make hate a crime of its own. What? Why?
    2. Of course, exceptions will be made for Bible Christians that talk and live the Bible.
    3. Of course, exceptions are made for hardworking, monogamous, successful men.
    4. It is folly to love a thing without the opposite passion – hate – of opposite things.
    5. Love of God requires hating evil – which is contrary to Him (Ps 97:10; Pr 8:13).
  2. He wrote about God’s own hatred of wicked men (Ps 5:5; 7:11; 11:5; Pr 6:16-19).
    1. This is totally lost on modern Christians with an effeminate, heretical view of God.
    2. God abominates much (Prov 3:32; 11:20; 15:8-9; 16:5; 17:15; 21:27; 28:9; etc.).
  3. Solomon wrote of perpetual hate between the righteous and wicked (Prov 29:10,27).
    1. From Cain killing Abel or the Jews crucifying Jesus, it is devil’s hate (John 8:44).
    2. David’s son Jesus taught His apostles how and why the world hates (Jn 15:18-19).
  4. David hated the enemies of God; he knew God approved of his hate (Ps 139:21-22).
  5. He hated Doeg the Edomite and wrote invectively against him by inspiration (Ps 52).
  6. He hated every false way and any compromisers of godliness (Psalm 119:128; 101:3).
  7. He hated the vain thoughts of men, for they are opposite God’s law (Psalm 119:113).
  8. He condemned vile persons, while loving those that feared the Lord (Ps 15:4; 16:3).
  9. Goliath’s blasphemy of his God stirred his spirit greatly at a young age (I Sam 17:29).
  10. For God’s love and hatred … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2015/distinguishing-love-of-god/.

#32 … LOVED ALL RIGHTEOUS MEN

  1. David knew how to hate the wicked, as God does, but David also loved good men.
  2. David was committed to being a friend and lover of good men (Ps 119:63,79; Tit 1:8).
  3. He committed to God what kind of men he would allow around him (Psalm 101:3-8).
  4. He wrote about loving the righteous and hating the wicked (Ps 15:4; 16:3; 139:21-22).
  5. He described friends as fearing God and keeping His commandments (Ps 119:63,79).
  6. He would not be friends with compromisers or evil men (Psalm 1; Ps 101; Ps 144).
  7. He loved God’s house for God (Ps 27:4), but also for believers (Ps 42:4; 122:8-9).

#33 … LOVED EVEN HIS ENEMIES

  1. Jesus taught it as perfection, but David did it 1000 years before Jesus (Matt 5:43-48).
  2. David carefully detailed his attitude and actions toward his enemies (Psalm 35:11-16).
  3. The inspired record shows mercy toward Saul, Abner, Amasa, Absalom, Shimei, etc.
  4. His affectionate and kind eulogy of Saul is unparalleled in its kindness after his death.
  5. This trait did not alter hatred of God’s enemies – know the difference (Ps 139:21-22).
  6. Who can you forgive and love right now that is in some way your personal enemy?

#34 … PATIENT WHEN UNDER DURESS

  1. If David was anointed by Samuel at 15, he had to wait 15 years before king of Judah.
  2. David reigned over Judah 7.5 years in Hebron, while he waited two years for Israel.
  3. He wrote the wise words to wait on the Lord with hope for the future (Ps 27:13-14).
  4. There are other places where he wrote of the wisdom of waiting (Ps 62:1,5; 130:5).
  5. He even waited on God for the life of his son when God had promised the son’s death.
  6. King Saul failed miserably by not waiting on either God or Samuel (I Sam 13:8-14).

#35 … MAN OF DAILY PRAYER

  1. David told us by God’s inspiration that he prayed three times daily (Psalm 55:16-17).
  2. He knew the morning before distractions was a good time (Ps 5:3; 88:13; 119:147).
  3. He wanted God to tell him each step of life, so he would the right thing (II Sam 2:1).
  4. He knew that calling upon the Lord was the means for his deliverance (Psalm 18:3).
  5. He begged God to hear prayers, which is part of effectual, fervent prayer (Ps 28:1-2).
  6. Many of his Psalms are prayers, where David calls on God in the second person.
  7. He loved God and declared it for answers to prayer in his times of need (Ps 116:1-9).
  8. For much more about prayer in general … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-1987/effectual-prayer/.

#36 … HOLY REASONING WITH GOD

  1. David could and would use righteous reasoning with the Lord like Moses had before.
  2. David knew God heard his prayers and saved him for his righteousness (Ps 18:20-28).
  3. He boldly confessed his integrity to secure God’s blessings on him (Psalm 26:1-11).
  4. When faced with enemies, consider how he made appeal to his integrity (Ps 7:1-5).
  5. He asked God to save him so he could continue to praise (Ps 6:5; 30:9; 88:10-12).
  6. David asked God to keep His word right after hearing that word (II Sam 7:18-29).
  7. David prayed judgment on the wicked so as to encourage the righteous (Ps 58:6-11).
  8. David prayed for a token of good so that his enemies would be ashamed (Ps 86:17).
  9. David prayed for God to reveal Himself by judgment (Ps 74:18-12; 79:9-10; 83:18).
  10. Think of David asking God why He sleeps (Psalm 7:6; 35:23; 44:23; 59:4-5; 78:65).
  11. For more about prayer (see section VIII) … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-1987/effectual-prayer/.

#37 … HOPE IN PRESENT LIFE

  1. He did not fret against the LORD or envy the wicked (Psalm 27:13-14; 130:5-8).
  2. He told the LORD that he was waiting on Him for whatever (Psalm 25:1-5; 37:7-20).
  3. He prayed to stay in this life to praise the Lord (Psalm 30:9; 56:13; 88:10-12; etc.).
  4. He wrote of blessings in this world for the righteous (Ps 103:1-5; 112:1-10; 128:1-6).
  5. He was not over spiritual by pretending that heaven was more important than this life.

#38 … HOPE OF FUTURE LIFE

  1. He knew there was a great reversal of fortune coming after death (Ps 71:8-15; 73:24).
  2. He knew his future was very different from rich, wicked men (Ps 17:14-15; 49:15).
  3. At death, David’s confidence was in God’s promise of Christ to him (II Sam 23:1-5).
  4. We read of no complaint by David for dying at 70, which is a long life (I Chr 29:28).
  5. He knew, prophetically of Christ, there are pleasures at God’s right hand (Ps 16:11).

#39 … NIGHT MUSER WITH GOD

  1. David communicated with God at night with far less distractions (Ps 4:4; 42:8; 88:1).
  2. David let God communicate with him at night as well – a blessing (Psalm 16:7; 17:3).
  3. David meditated on God at night with far fewer distractions (Ps 63:6; 77:6; 119:55).
  4. David also meditated on God’s words while in his bed at night (Ps 1:2; 119:62,148).
  5. Compare Elihu and his explanation about God’s dealing in the night (Job 33:14-28).
  6. For more from Elihu about God’s night dealings … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2015/job-33/.

#40 … SELF-EXAMINED HIS OWN SOUL

  1. David was careful and diligent to examine himself before God (Ps 139:23-24; 17:3).
    1. Self-examination includes asking God to help identify and expose secret faults.
    2. Consider related verbs – judge, examine, prove, try – in the practice (Ps 26:1-2).
    3. It is a very personal, private, and intimate thing that a man should do with his soul.
    4. At night in bed is a very opportune time to examine yourself (Psalm 6:6; 77:2,6).
  2. If you do not like others examining and criticizing you, then do it to yourself, first!
  3. Talking to yourself is good (Ps 4:4; 19:12-14; 26:2; 42:5,11; 43:5; 77:6; 119:136).
  4. Self-examination should be done to determine if you are God’s elect (II Cor 13:5).
  5. Only a man with thorough examination of his life can claim holiness (Psalm 86:2).

#41 … MEDITATION AND HOLY MUSING

  1. Consider his references to meditation (Psalm 1:2; 4:4; 46:10; 49:3; 77:5-6; 104:34).
  2. David knew God had made His wonderful works to be remembered (Psalm 111:4).
  3. David knew God’s words deserved much meditation (Ps 1:2; 119:48,78,97,99,148).
  4. He knew and emphasized musing and other variation of meditation (Psalm 143:5).
  5. This generation has replaced sober musing (thinking) with amusement (no thinking).

#42 … SIMPLE MAN AND GOALS

  1. The Bible requires a single heart and mind (James 1:8; 4:8; Matt 6:22; I Chron 12:33).
    1. Simplicity is the basis of a dedicated and zealous life by having fewest distractions.
    2. Having long or various agendas is to be double minded; David was single minded.
    3. Compare the choices of Martha and Mary and Christ’s approval (Luke 10:38-42).
  2. David’s passion and zeal for a very simple purpose in life was his cause (Psalm 27:4).
  3. David had a single heart – he loved and delighted in God Himself more than any men.
  4. David had a single purpose – everything should be done to God’s glory (I Cor 10:31).
  5. David had a single program – build up the congregation/church of God (His people).
  6. What can you cut out to simplify your life to be more single minded (I Cor 7:25-35)?

#43 … FEARLESS WHEN FACING DANGER

  1. Took on bear and lion – opposite Solomon’s mockery of sluggards (Pr 22:13; 26:13).
    1. David had options – he could have run away or run up a tree or outrun the sheep!
    2. David had options – he could have complained to Jesse and refused due to danger.
  2. He had no qualms about facing Goliath, though the giant was 9 feet and 9 inches tall.
  3. Saul’s request for a dowry of Philistine foreskins moved David to 200 rather than 100!
  4. He battled the Philistines or any enemy without fear, if God had given him approval.
  5. When afraid, he put his trust in God and did what was needed (Ps 56:3; I Sam 30:6-9).
  6. Gather comfort here that fear is not wrong or faithless, but what you do with your fear.
  7. David declared that God delivered him from all his fears and troubles (Psalm 34:4-6).
  8. The remedy is to be of good courage, receive strength, and wait on Him (Ps 27:13-14).
  9. Remember that God is on your side and man cannot hurt you (Ps 118:6 cp Heb 13:6).
  10. Whatever you fear in your life is nothing compared to David’s enemies and troubles.

#44 … CONTENTED WITH GOD HIMSELF

  1. David considered God’s lovingkindness better than life (Ps 63:3-6; 73:25-26; 16:5-6).
  2. When compared to the wicked, he found more gladness in God than riches (Ps 4:6-8).
  3. David considered God his exceeding joy, which is greater than others (Ps 21:6; 43:4).
  4. He spoke of being satisfied with the goodness of God found in His temple (Ps 65:4).
  5. David had the joy all believers should have, and he exhorted them to it (Psalm 5:11).
  6. He made extreme comparisons to state contentment and fulfillment in God (Ps 84:10).
  7. Nothing should steal this trait from you, and it is great gain (Heb 13:5-6; I Tim 6:6).
  8. Power for living above circumstances, enemies, and feelings is by this precious trait.

#45 … REPENTED QUICKLY FOR FORGIVENESS

  1. He confessed sin very well (Ps 19:12-14; 25:7; 32:1-6; 38:18; 40:12; 41:4; 69:5; 79:8).
  2. Few confess and repent as quickly as David did after Bathsheba and numbering Israel.
  3. His confession of his great sins with Bathsheba and Uriah is exceptional (Ps 51:1-19).
  4. He knew repentance – a broken heart (Ps 34:18; 51:17) – even of adultery and murder
  5. Like Elihu, he understood the folly of sin and how to confess it to God (Job 33:27-28).
  6. He knew the importance of confessing sins for God to hear his prayers (Psalm 66:18).
  7. He fully believed God forgave sins – planning to serve again (Ps 51:13; 86:5; 103:3).
  8. Wise men would much rather be a forgiven David than a maritally-faithful king Saul.
  9. Power for living and complete pardon by God require speedy and fervent repentance.
  10. If you doubt forgiveness, you doubt God’s faithfulness and/or Christ’s sufficiency.
  11. See also these points above: Sins Didn’t Stop Him and Took Others’ Advice Well.
  12. A sermon about repentance (PPT slides) … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2015/the-r-factor/.
  13. A sermon about repentance (Word) … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2008/forgiveness-of-sins/.

#46 … CHRIST LOVER BY PROPHECY

  1. David did not know about Jesus like we do, but he did know Him (I Peter 1:10-12).
  2. From the beginning (Gen 3:15), God had promised a great Deliverer from Eden’s ruin.
  3. With Christ promised to him, David begged for fulfillment of the promises (II Sam 7).
  4. David died knowing his family’s faults, but with confidence in Christ (II Sam 23:1-7).
  5. Messianic Psalms are psalms of David with clear, lengthy prophecies of Jesus Christ.
    1. Psalm 45 is a very special love song about Christ and the church dictated to David.
    2. David wrote beautiful things about the Christ (Psalm 2,8,16,22,45,102,110; etc.).
    3. For more about His Messianic Psalms … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2013/messianic-psalms/.
  6. If you get a view of David and his esteem and love of Christ, you will know the trait.

#47 … DELIGHTED IN GOD HIMSELF

  1. This is one of the special traits of David that sets him well apart from most Christians.
  2. This trait must be separated from Contented With God Himself above in several ways.
    1. Something set David apart from other men, and a chief trait was passion for God.
    2. David believed and trusted God; he was content and satisfied; he also delighted.
    3. David knew trust and obedience, but he added delight to his faith (Psalm 37:3-4).
  3. Compare David’s terms and their shades of meaning – delight (Ps 37:4), boast (Ps 34:2; 44:8), glory (Ps 63:11; 64:10; 105:3; 149:5), rejoice (Ps 9:2; 32:11; 43:4; etc.), glad (Ps 4:7; 9:2; 21:6; 92:4), pleasure (Ps 111:2), sweetness (Ps 104:34), etc.
  4. Compare inspired words of David’s actions and passions toward God that exceeded all others recorded in the Bible – bless, exalt, love, dance, praise, sing, play, boast, muse, remember, worship, build, invent, shout, clap, meditate, magnify, triumph, etc.
  5. This is different and better than delight in the Bible, in doctrine or truth, or the church.
    1. David loved God’s house, church, and public worship. Why? For God (Ps 27:4)!
    2. His great ambition, desire, and thrill were God alone (Ps 4:7; 43:4; 63:1-6; 92:4-6).
  6. Who else invented instruments, wrote lyrics, organized choirs and orchestras, and expected the musical production to be loud, joyful, skillful, creative, perpetual, etc.?
  7. Do not be distracted by any of God’s gifts, natural or spiritual; love only the Giver!
  8. For much more about delighting in God … https://letgodbetrue.com/.
  9. Compare Zeal for Congregational Worship and Extraordinary Love for God, etc., etc.

#48 … OVERCAME HIS MELANCHOLY TEMPERAMENT

  1. For any that truly understand this temperament’s responses, David obviously had it.
    1. A melancholy can think too much to a point of counterproductive paralysis in life.
    2. A melancholy expands negative circumstances and fleshly emotions above faith.
    3. A melancholy creates a negative downward spiral that colors and clouds his life.
    4. A melancholy can get so down they forget God’s promises, faith, hope, reason, etc.
    5. Much more could be said here, but it would not add any value to a short point.
  2. He also had circumstances far more severe than anything you have even imagined.
    1. He would encourage himself in God when circumstances were terrible (I Sa 30:6).
    2. He knew fear, but he knew what to do about it: trust God and wait (Ps 27:13-14).
    3. He knew that God’s promises would come to pass for his expectation (Ps 62:5).
  3. David also had terrible faults and failures as a man, father, king, etc. that were public.
    1. He was not a historian – his past did not affect his present – he pressed on for God.
    2. He knew the benefits of chastening and did not chafe against it (Ps 119:67,71,75).
    3. God does not measure you like men measure – He abundantly pardons and forgets.
  4. He told himself to grow up and act like a Christian man (Ps 42:1-11; 43:1-5). Glory!
    1. Many melancholies talk to themselves – they talk themselves down to destruction.
    2. Paul, as David, understood being cast down, but not destroyed (II Co 4:9; 12:8-10).
    3. Power for living requires this trait; those without it will have childish meltdowns.
  5. He knew what to do if overwhelmed (Ps 61:2; 77:1-10; 124:1-6; 142:1-7; 143:1-12).
  6. Compare Not Deterred By Setbacks and Sins Didn’t Stop Him and related traits above.

#49 … OVERALL RULE OF WOMEN

  1. Most think of his adultery when they think of David’s women, but they miss the man.
    1. David’s adultery and murder were not traits or trends of his but rather exceptions.
    2. Though not stated, he won and led Bathsheba to acceptance and favor with God.
    3. He shared parenting with Bathsheba that God inspired Solomon to write (Pr 4:3).
  2. Compare David’s relationship to wives with those of his son, the wise man Solomon.
    1. David chose Abigail for very different reasons than Solomon chose (Neh 13:26).
    2. Solomon could not rule his women; they turned his heart from God (I Kgs 11:1-9).
    3. David did rule his wives, even his first love, as he showed Michal (II Sa 6:20-23).
  3. David did multiply wives sinfully (Deut 17:17), but not nearly to Solomon’s excess.
    1. God allowed this fault many times, even in patriarchs, against creation (Mal 2:15).
    2. He even told David that he could have had more eligible women (II Samuel 12:8).
    3. Solomon’s 700 wives and 300 concubines are absurdly and foolishly extreme.
  4. David also had great male friends outside his women i.e. Jonathan, Ittai, Hiram, etc.
  5. See David’s restrained and wise rule for the concubines used by Absalom (II Sa 20:3).
  6. Every man to be like David does not look to his adultery but his subjection of wives.

#50 … HE ALWAYS TRUSTED GOD

  1. He likely endured 15 years between anointing by Samuel and actually becoming king.
  2. The word trust is used 50 times in the book of Psalms alone where David wrote of it.
  3. Whenever he was afraid or faced fear, he put his trust in the LORD (Ps 56:3-4; 7:1).
  4. He knew the real key to success was to obey and trust the LORD (Ps 4:5; 5:11; 37:3).
  5. When facing a terrible situation, he encouraged himself in the LORD (I Samuel 30:6).
  6. He trusted God in different ways when dealing with Goliath and his son Absalom.
  7. Three days of pestilence in God’s hand was the best option for David (II Sam 24:14).
  8. Begged God for his son though he had been told the child would die (II Sam 12:22).
  9. We trust God to pray until the baby dies, but we may keep praying (II Kgs 4:18-37)!

#51 … HE WAS LIBERAL GIVER

  1. He was liberal in providing a fine meal for the whole nation for the ark (II Sam 6:19).
  2. His creative generosity, especially to the LORD, fulfilled the devising text (Is 32:8).
    1. Some give only when God requires it, but David devised significant extra giving.
    2. The Bible mentions both tithes and offerings, and they do not carry the same value.
    3. God had not hinted at a temple – the costliest gift possible – but David devised it.
    4. He gathered with all his might for the temple – not a mere tithe (I Chron 29:1-5).
    5. He did not shortchange the gift at all but rather made it as expensive as possible!
  3. He forced Ornan to accept payment – he would not worship free (I Chron 21:21-25).
  4. He gave thoughtfully of the spoil from the Amalekites to others (I Samuel 30:26-31).
  5. He had Mephibosheth sit at his table like a son, not merely fed (II Sa 9:1-13; 21:1-9).
  6. Liberal givers are still favorites of God in the N.T. (Matt 25:31-46; I Tim 6:17-19).

#52 … HUMBLE, MEEK, AND MODEST

  1. Though anointed, he returned to keep family sheep after serving Saul (I Sam 17:15).
  2. When interviewed by Saul after killing Goliath, David was very modest (I Sa 17:58).
  3. When offered Saul’s daughters, David did not think himself worthy (I Sam 18:18,23).
  4. David was not haughty and denigrated himself of things too high for him (Ps 131:1-3).
  5. David referred to himself in prayer as the son of God’s handmaid (Ps 86:16; 116:16).
  6. He told God that he was no one worthy of God’s affection or promises (II Sam 7:18).
  7. He was not too proud or protective to declare that he was weak – in writing (Ps 6:2).
  8. His psalms include confessions of youthful sins, present sins, fears, groaning, etc., etc.
  9. Was David God’s favorite? Did God promote David? He obeyed James (Jas 4:5-10)!

#53 … HE LOVED GOD’S BEAUTY

  1. David loved the house of God so he could behold the beauty of the LORD (Ps 27:4).
  2. What is God’s beauty? – the infinite glory of His nature, character, will, and works.
    1. Consider how David combined honour, majesty, strength, and beauty (Ps 96:6).
    2. When God brings His beauty upon people, they are greatly blessed (Ps 90:14-17).
    3. It is your duty – your privileged pleasure – to see His power and glory (Ps 63:1-6).
  3. Most men love the Psalms because written by a man revealing much to us about God.
    1. You cannot do a study of the attributes of God without much appeal to the Psalms.
    2. Not only did David know God, he loved to praise and worship God for Himself.
    3. Moses and Isaiah revealed God as Jehovah, David also used JAH (Ps 83:18; 68:4).
  4. If you know David’s God the way David did and you should, it will reflect outward.
    1. David knew God’s mercy (I Sam 21:1-6; II Sa 12:14-25; 24:10-15; Ps 103:10-18).
    2. You will love mercy and not be offended, for God loves mercy (Micah 6:8; 7:18).
    3. If a person easily gets offended, then it shows they truly do not know or love God.
    4. David had great mercy to others, so God showed him personal mercy (Ps 18:25).
    5. Can you follow the incredible cycle of God’s mercy, David’s mercy, God’s mercy?
  5. He knew attributes that should be foundational (Psalm 86:5,15; 103:8; 111:4; 145:8).
    1. Remember points already covered above, like his knowledge of God’s holiness.
    2. He knew God’s forgiveness should lead men to repentance (Ps 130:3-4; 32:1-6).
    3. Imprecatory Psalms: 5,6,7,10,11,12,17,35,52,54,55,56,58,59,69,70,79,83,109,129,137,139,140,143.
  6. This trait of David could be developed much farther than this superficial introduction.
  7. David closed out his life by exhorting Solomon to know his father’s God (I Chr 28:9).
  8. Can you get outside yourself and your little life to adore the beauty of the LORD?
  9. You do it by sermons, reading, meditating, prayer, fellowship with other seekers, etc.
  10. The sermon series, Knowing God, and, He Is Altogether Lovely, fit this trait of David.

#54 … HE LOVED SOUND DOCTRINE

  1. Where did Paul turn, and we also, for total depravity (Ps 14:1-3; 51:5; 53:1-3; 58:3)?
  2. David understood God’s hatred of sin and sinners (Ps 5:4-6; 7:11; 11:4-6; 139:21-22).
  3. He knew God’s sovereign government of men limited their wickedness (Psalm 76:10).
  4. He knew his Son coming to reign over the kingdom of God was his Lord (Ps 110:1).
  5. He saw the future conversion of the Gentiles (Ps 18:49; 22:27-28; 45:12; 66:1-3; 67:1-7; 68:31-35; 86:9; 98:4; 102:15,22; 117:1; 138:4-5).
  6. He knew and counted on the resurrection of his body from the grave (Ps 49:15; 65:7).
  7. Remember, this is not an exhaustive study, or we could continue to illustrate this trait.
  8. David loved God’s truth (Ps 33:4; 40:10-11; 43:3; 60:4; 86:11; 111:8; 119:128,142).
  9. Do you appreciate the vast doctrinal truth and wisdom God has revealed clearly to us?
  10. If you do, how do you show it? How does anyone know it? Does your life declare it?

#55 … HIS CONSCIENCE WAS SENSITIVE

  1. Your conscience is a judge inside from God for right and wrong (Pr 20:27; Ro 2:15).
  2. David was so sensitive that his heart smote him for cutting Saul’s skirt (I Sam 24:5).
  3. David quickly repented both to Abigail and to Nathan (I Sam 25:32-35; II Sam 12:13).
  4. The candle of the LORD blazed brightly in David for the numbering (II Sam 24:17).
  5. He was conscious he could have unknown sins God despised (Ps 19:12; 139:23-24).
  6. He was also conscious that God could see any sins he thought were secret (Ps 90:8).
  7. He knew the value of a convicted conscience and true repentance (Ps 34:18; 51:17).
  8. He remembered the sins of his youth and asked God to forget them (Ps 25:7; 79:8).
  9. We are like David when we quickly recognize our faults and confess them thoroughly.
  10. A commentary for Proverbs 20:27 … https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-20/proverbs-20-27/.

#56 … HE CRAVED GOD’S SPIRIT

  1. He had seen God take His Holy Spirit away from king Saul for him (I Sam 16:13-14).
  2. He begged for God not to take His Holy Spirit from him in spite of sin (Psalm 51:11).
  3. He knew some important roles of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 104:30; 45:1; II Sam 23:2).
  4. He knew God’s Spirit was with Him, and he knew He was good (Ps 139:7; 143:10).
  5. Any person seeking to be like David must be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18; 4:30).
  6. Much was preached recently about the Holy Spirit from John 7 and Higher Ground.

#57 … HE HONORED HIS PARENTS

  1. It is impossible that God could so favor David without this trait in place (Eph 6:2-3).
  2. He was obedient enough to be left with sheep in spite of great danger (I Sam 16:11).
  3. He did not use the danger to avoid the job or jeopardize the sheep (I Sam 17:34-37).
  4. He was happy to be delivery boy for his father’s gift to his brothers (I Sam 17:15-20).
  5. He was glad to identify himself to God as son of God’s handmaid (Ps 86:16; 116:16).
  6. He made reference to mourning for a mother as an example of great grief (Ps 35:14).
  7. He took special care of his father and mother with the king of Moab (I Sam 22:1-4).
  8. Do you show all the respect, deference, mercy, kindness, and initiative you should?

#58 … GOOD LEADER AS KING

  1. God wrote of David as a wonderful leader for Israel (Psalm 89:19-21; Acts 13:22).
  2. David took his job as king seriously and ruled well (Psalm 78:70-72; II Samuel 8:15).
  3. He understood civil rulers were foundational pillars of society (Ps 11:3; 75:2-3; 82:5).
  4. He wrote excellent advice for kings/pastors in several Psalms (Psalm 2; 75; 101; 144).
  5. He gave excellent advice for Solomon (I Chronicles 28:9-10; 29:19; I Kings 2:1-9).
  6. He ended life with a great description of a perfect ruler – Jesus Christ (II Sam 23:3-7).
  7. All other kings were compared to the high standard of David (I Kings 9:4; 15:5; etc.).
  8. Are you benevolent, faithful, and merciful in all positions of authority you may have?

#59 … NO COMPROMISE WITH SINNERS

  1. He was intensely committed against compromise of evil men (Ps 1:1-3; 97:10; 101:3).
  2. He trusted scripture as final truth on all topics and hated other ideas (Ps 119:104,128).
  3. He allowed Joab and Shimei to live, but he had Solomon kill them (I Kings 2:5-6,8-9).
  4. He didn’t care Michal was his wife and first love; he punished her (II Sam 6:20-23).
  5. He wrote about loving the righteous and hating the wicked (Ps 15:4; 16:3; 139:21-22).
  6. For much more about compromise in general … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2001/god-hates-compromise/.
  7. For king Jehoshaphat’s compromise … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2002/truth-lies-and-compromise/.

#60 … WAS FRIENDLY WITH FRIENDS

  1. Solomon would teach later that having friends requires friendliness (Proverbs 18:24).
  2. David fulfilled the rule of king’s friends by Saul’s love (Pr 22:11; I Sam 16:21; 18:2).
  3. Jonathan was his exceptional friend past death (I Sam 18:1-4; 20:16-17; 23:16-18).
  4. He took care of Nabal’s sheep and the elders of Judah (I Sam 25:15-16; 30:26-31).
  5. He was so fair in dealings with Philistines that they followed him (II Sam 15:18-22).
  6. Even Hiram, the king of pagan and rich Tyre, always loved David (I Kings 5:1,7).
  7. Whether Mephibosheth or Barzillai, David honored friends (II Sam 9:1-13; I Kgs 2:7).
  8. He understood that real friends involve submitting to their rebukes of sin (Ps 141:5).

#61 … HE HAD BOLD COURAGE

  1. David’s extreme statements about fearlessness are wonderful (Psalm 27:1-3; 46:1-3).
  2. He declared that he did not and would not fear what man could do (Ps 56:4; 118:6).
  3. Remember, he ran to meet Goliath as a young man around 18-20 (I Samuel 17:48).
  4. Though he gave God the credit, he did run through troops and leap walls (Ps 18:29).
  5. We can even count it as boldness to ask Abiathar for the shewbread for hungry men.
  6. He even had boldness to pray for his son’s life in spite of God’s terminal prophecy.
  7. Boldness is not self-confidence; it is not irritating arrogance; it is total trust in God.
  8. You cannot have such boldness in God without confessing sins like David (Pr 28:1).

#62 … EXALTED PEACE AND UNITY

  1. He wrote a whole psalm to exalt and promote men dwelling together in unity (Ps 133).
  2. He proposed the peace and prosperity of the church for companions’ sakes (Ps 122).
  3. He described the peace of God’s church when strange children are removed (Ps 144).
  4. David patiently waited for Abner to bring Israel and made peace with him and Amasa.
  5. David was committed and dedicated to peace, even with his enemies (Psalm 7:1-5).
  6. He taught his children and Israel that a good life was making peace (Psalm 34:11-16).
  7. David strongly wanted peace while others wanted war (Psalm 55:19-21; 120:6-7).
  8. Peace is still one of God’s highest callings for us in the N.T. (Eph 4:3; Rom 12:18).

#63 … RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION AGAINST WICKED

  1. David had a passion for God and an equal and opposite passion against His enemies.
    1. He blasted the wicked in general, as in one of his imprecatory Psalms (Psalm 58).
    2. He blasted the wicked man Doeg, who killed the priests of God at Nob (Psalm 52).
    3. By the Spirit he blasted Judas Iscariot for his dastardly deed (Psalm 69 and 109).
    4. He couldn’t stand the thought of them in his house, kingdom, or church (Ps 101).
    5. He loved to draw the stark contrast between the righteous and wicked (Psalm 1).
    6. He wrote different responses to have (Ps 15:4; 16:3; 101:6; 119:63; 139:21-22).
    7. David on his deathbed praised Jesus and damned His enemies (II Samuel 23:1-7).
    8. The more you love the righteous, the more you should and will hate the wicked.
  2. The Psalms describe the wicked and God’s judgment terribly … knock out teeth (3:7; 58:6) … break arm (10:15) … their cup is snares, fire and brimstone (11:6) … snail melting (58:8) … a miscarriage (58:8) … barking like dogs and belching (59:6-7) … God laughing at them (2:4; 37:13; 52:6; 59:8) … chaff or stubble before wind (1:4; 35:5; 83:13) … angel of the LORD chasing them (35:5) … take them away in wrath with a tornado while still alive (58:9) … fire burning up wood (83:14-14-15) … dipping feet in blood (58:10; 68:22-23) … dashing baby’s brains out (137:9) … etc.
  3. For those that think this is just too cruel, harsh, and totally unnecessary … think again.
    1. God judged the human race of 100 billion souls with three deaths for one little sin!
    2. The lake of fire, prepared for the devil, will eternally torment most all of mankind!
    3. Think about Flood! Think about Babel! Think about Egypt! Think about Canaan!
  4. Imprecatory Psalms … 5,6,7,10,11,12,17,35,52,54,55,56,58,59,69,70,79,83,109,129,137,139,140,143.
  5. Is it hard to exclude rebels and turn them over to Satan? It should not be (I Cor 5:2).
  6. Is it hard for you to hate Richard Dawkins and Stephen Hawking? They are two idiots.

#64 … MANAGED SEVERE SPIRITUAL TRIALS

  1. Even the best of men can be subject to severe trials of their flesh and spirit. Think Job.
  2. God turned David over to Satan, like He did Job and Peter (II Sam 24:1; I Chr 21:1).
  3. David did not hold this against God, and God did not hold this duress against David.
  4. For 10-15 years of his life between anointing and throne he suffered greatly by Saul.
  5. He was far from God’s house at times, which was a very great grief to a pious man.
  6. His soul was cast down at times by terrible circumstances and a melancholy spirit.
  7. He was cast down but not destroyed (II Cor 4:9) – note Psalms that end with praise.
  8. He did not quit. Most Christians quit with far less in the way of trouble than He had.
  9. He practiced his own advice waiting on the Lord and taking courage (Ps 27:13-14).
  10. His children were a massive disappointment, but his full hope was in Christ his Son.
  11. Life does not need to be a bowl of cherries (Joel Osteen) to be great in God’s sight.

#65 … HE WAS GENERALLY HAPPY

  1. The psalms that describe melancholy sadness are meaningful by his general happiness.
  2. Some people are generally morose or so sober they show little joyful pleasure for life.
  3. David wrote about happiness in life with God’s blessing (Ps 4:7; 127:5; 128:2; 146:5).
  4. David wrote about the necessary conditions of purity and prosperity for it (Ps 144:15).
  5. His exultation and triumphant words can give you joy just reading them (Ps 103:1-5).
  6. If you think gravity and sobriety are chief traits of life, you miss David’s happiness.
  7. If you are too busy and stressed to be happy, you know only a fraction of his burdens.
  8. David had the joy all believers should have, and he exhorted them all to it (Ps 5:11).
  9. David had difficulties comparable to Jacob, but he did not whine as badly (Gen 47:9).

#66 … UNDERSTOOD GOD’S ETHICAL WISDOM

  1. Wisdom is not black and white to be learned by rote and applied like trained parrots.
    1. Wisdom is gray by taking a unique combination of principles for each unique case.
    2. Do not judge by appearance, for then you will miss righteous judgment (Jn 7:24).
    3. The Pharisees condemned Jesus and the apostles by their total lack of real wisdom.
    4. Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount against their abuses of truth and wisdom.
  2. He ate shewbread (Le 24:5-9; I Sa 21:3-6; Pr 21:3; Hos 6:6; Mat 12:3-4; Mk 2:25-26).
  3. He knew, like the midwives, Rahab, Jehu, and others, when to lie (I Sam 19:11-18; 20:27-30; 21:1-2,8-10,10-15; 27:7-12; 28:1-2; 29:8; II Sam 15:31-37; 17:15-22).
  4. He had Joab wisely and fairly killed by Solomon for treason and murder (I Kgs 2:5-6).
  5. He had Shimei wisely and fairly killed by Solomon for seditious cursing (I Kgs 2:8-9).
  6. For details about Christian ethics … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2013/christian-ethics-case-studies/.

#67 … DILIGENTLY SOUGHT FIRST LOVE

  1. He wanted the joy of salvation restored after his sin and its chastening (Ps 51:10-12).
  2. He thought upon past highlights of worship and wanted them restored (Psalm 42:1-4).
  3. He recalled his song in the night and studied whether it was God or him (Ps 77:6-10).
  4. He committed to love God in the future when reflecting on past mercies (Psalm 18:1).
  5. He still loved God and sought to advance His kingdom right up to death (I Chr 22:5).
  6. The church of Ephesus, and most churches, are not like David by this rule (Rev 2:4-5).
  7. For more about seeking first love … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2005/reviving-first-love/.
  8. For more about hot love for Christ … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2013/fellowship-with-christ/.

#68 … HE UNDERSTOOD GOD’S CHASTENING

  1. David’s sins have been listed above under the character trait, Sins Didn’t Stop Him.
  2. He wrote repeatedly that God’s chastening was for a good purpose (Ps 119:67,71,75).
    1. He counted chastening a blessing and partner with learning from God (Ps 94:12).
    2. He knew chastening was good, unlike judging the wicked (Ps 94:13; I Cor 11:32).
    3. He knew God’s chastening could not alter God’s covenant salvation (Ps 89:30-33).
  3. He wisely prayed for God to chasten without anger or hot displeasure (Ps 6:1; 38:1).
  4. He submitted to God’s chastening with his son and Shimei (II Sam 12:22-24; 16:10).
  5. God’s afflictions are good – learn the lesson fast and respond rightly (Heb 12:5-13).
  6. Not all afflictions are chastening; if you think so, you are like Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar.
  7. Why Bad Things Happen to Christians … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2012/why-bad-things-happen/.
  8. Commentary for Proverbs 3:11 … https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-3/proverbs-3-11/.

#69 … BALANCED PRAYER AND ACTION

  1. He rejected prayer without effort (fatalism) and effort without prayer (humanism).
  2. He trusted God to bless his sling to kill Goliath, not some divine disease like Herod.
    1. He rejected Saul’s untested armor, though the best around; he chose proven means.
    2. He did not wait to get better or improve circumstances or odds; he went with God.
    3. The balance of these two – God’s blessing on David’s means – is great prudence.
    4. He trusted God’s hatred of blasphemy and God’s blessing against a lion and a bear.
  3. He trusted God to bless efforts at madness before Achish (I Sam 21:10-15; Ps 34:1).
  4. He trusted God to bless Hushai to overthrow Ahithophel (II Samuel 15:31,34; 17:14).
  5. He encouraged himself in the Lord, but then quickly pursued an enemy (I Sa 30:6-20).
  6. God will not ordinarily do for you what you should be doing yourself. Trust and obey!
  7. You have Bible examples, others’ example, and previous experiences yourself. Run!
  8. If you still doubt, then err on the side of mercy, to yourself, but without compromise.
  9. A Study in Reversal of Fortune … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2017/reversal-of-fortune/.

#70 … DISCERNING ABILITY TO CHANGE

  1. He taught Judah the use of archery, learned from Philistia (II Sam 1:18; I Sam 31:3).
    1. Israel knew archery, but not widely in Judah (I Sam 20:20; II Sa 1:22; I Chr 12:2).
    2. In spite of great grief and a spectacular lamentation, David was ever a wise ruler.
  2. Study this trait in light of the previous one, Balanced Prayer and Action, for wisdom.
  3. Though instituted by Moses, David was not impressed by God’s worship in just a tent.
  4. If Jesus asks you to walk on water, do it; since He has not, you may row, swim, wait.
  5. Doing the same old thing without perception or appreciation of differences is stupid.
    1. Tradition can be stupid; because others have done it does not prove light or zeal.
    2. Consistency can be stupid – if it precludes creativity, change, and improvement.
    3. Consider how Solomon warned about missing changes (Pr 27:12,23-24; Eccl 8:5).
    4. Yet at the same time, tried and proven means may be used confidently (Ec 11:4-6).
  6. Schooling methods, wedding options, number of children, etc., etc. Rethink anything!
  7. God has given broad liberty in many matters to both families and churches. Use it!

#71 … THOUGHT OUTSIDE THE BOX

  1. David thought outside the box i.e. Goliath, ark, dancing, Michal, temple, arrows, etc.
    1. Each man in the army from Saul down, even Jonathan, allowed Goliath forty days.
    2. David reacted instantly; trusting God to bless his sling to reach out and touch him!
    3. Saul did move the ark the entire time of his reign, forty years, but yet David did.
    4. What possessed him to rip off the royal clothing of his office and dance mightily?
    5. Since God had not written it or mentioned it, why did David think of a temple?
    6. God Himself admitted He had not given any indication for a temple (II Sam 7:4-7).
    7. David was not content with the effectiveness of a sling, when he saw archery work.
    8. If David could not write a new song, then he invented a new musical instrument!
  2. Convention is good and not to be ignored, but convention can also mean limited view.
    1. Your mind cannot be confined to what others have done or are doing in any field.
    2. We must be willing to react to the Spirit and word in ways others ignore for fear.
    3. David was very conventional in relating to people, thus his widespread popularity.
    4. He was not so conventional when considering what could be done for God’s glory.
  3. Circumstances are constantly changing; can you recognize them like Paul (I Co 7:26)?
    1. Wise men understand the times and know what ought to be done (I Chron 12:32).
    2. There is a time for everything under heaven, but do you know rightly (Ec 3:1-15)?
  4. Let your life, family, and church be known for exceeding the norm for God and men.
    1. There is no N.T. command for fatted-calf feasts, but we have good uses for them.
    2. Yet there were feasts of charity in the N.T. that other churches seem to well ignore.
  5. What can you add to your schedule this week to give God something creatively new?

#72 … HE PRACTICED GENEROUS HOSPITALITY

  1. After moving the ark early in his reign, he fed the nation to celebrate (II Samuel 6:19).
    1. This was not necessary, as they should have been happy with merely the invitation.
    2. The Holy Spirit clearly records that his largesse included the women and the men.
  2. He had Mephibosheth sit at his table like a son, not merely to be fed (II Sam 9:10-13).
  3. He tried to get Barzillai to spend his last days in his palace (II Sa 17:27-29; 19:31-39).
  4. Hospitality is not an option or suggestion – it is a command and ordinance of the N.T.

#73 … HE WAS VERY LOYAL

  1. A man that hath friends must show himself friendly, and loyalty is part of friendliness.
  2. He did not blow off 200 tired men of his when the rest blew them off (I Sam 30:9-25).
  3. He kept his covenant with Jonathan through Mephibosheth (II Samuel 9:1-13; 21:1-9).
  4. He offered Ittai and the Gittites to stay in Jerusalem under Absalom (II Sa 15:18-20).
  5. He saved Mephibosheth from the Gibeonites and gave up seven others (II Sa 21:1-9).
  6. He grieved about Absalom, a rebellious son, even to his shame (II Sam 18:33; 19:4).
  7. He was not a fair weather friend, but stuck with men through thick and thin (Pr 17:17).
  8. He was loyal to God, no matter his circumstances or how delayed were His promises.
  9. It is quite consistent for losers that leave churches to show disloyalty to God and men.

#74 … MUCH WISDOM IN GENERAL

  1. Though a teenager, he was known outside his tribe as prudent in matters (I Sa 16:18).
    1. Prudence is part of wisdom, knowing the best solution for changing circumstances.
    2. After killing Goliath, about 20 years of age, he was very wise (I Sa 18:5,14-15,30).
    3. David knew what to do, when to do it, and how to do it by word, prayer, counsel.
    4. Every decision you make should include all three means to be as prudent as David.
  2. He fulfilled his office as king very well with judgment and justice for all (II Sa 8:15).
    1. By inspiration, he wrote of integrity of heart and skilful guidance (Ps 78:70-72).
    2. He knew Abigail was right, so he submitted; Michal was wrong, so he punished.
    3. The wise woman of Tekoah saw and declared his wise perception (II Sa 14:1-20).
    4. He grasped and gave the rule for only reasonable service and sleep (Ps 127:1-2).
  3. Though Solomon wrote Proverbs, he indicated that David had taught him (Pr 4:1-9).
  4. Though truly dependent on inspiration, David was a prophet extensively (Acts 2:30).
  5. To be like David, you cannot settle for common, superficial judgment (John 7:24).
    1. He tried to save Abiathar by lying, and he did save himself with Achish by lying.
    2. He understood how he could use Hushai to overthrow the counsel of Ahithophel.
  6. See also the trait and entry described above for Understood God’s Ethical Wisdom.
  7. The fascinating search for wisdom … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2008/search-for-wisdom/.

#75 … HE COULDN’T OUTGIVE GOD

  1. David knew and lived by a rule that God would outdo anything he might do for God.
    1. David, and it should be true of us, did not do anything for God to give back to him.
    2. He delighted in God for being Who He is and never questioned giving Him his all.
  2. This was true in each part of life – finances, marriage, righteousness, risk, delight, etc.
    1. For example, David took the initiative to build God a house, so God built him one!
    2. For example, David specified the temple be exceeding costly, but yet he died rich!
    3. For example, David was committed to righteousness, so got everything (Ps 84:11)!
    4. For example, David delighted in God over gain, gaining heart’s desires (Ps 37:4)!
    5. For example, David would not worship free, so blessings multiplied (II Sa 24:24)!
    6. For example, David knew God could exceed the risk of lion, bear, Goliath, Achish!
    7. For example, David put Michal down, so God greatly blessed his wife Bathsheba!
  3. It never entered David’s mind that if he gave too much to God he might fall behind.
    1. This is part of God’s beauty David knew and by which God dares men (Mal 3:10).
    2. Solomon codified giving in Proverbs, for David was given to praise (Pr 11:24-28).
    3. It is foolishly profane to hear men say they cannot afford to give – what idiots!
    4. It is just as wicked to hear or watch men keep assets instead of scattering them.
    5. Solomon would write of the evil disease of those that cannot scatter (Eccl 6:2).
    6. There are two equal ditches of savings – too little (majority); too much (minority).
    7. David tried to give away his wealth for God, but still ended up rich (I Chr 29:28)!
  4. He used his office as king and prophet of the OT church to press others to such a rule.
    1. He wrote about God outgiving men (Ps 1:3; 18:19,35; 37:4; 84:11; 112; 128; etc.).
    2. He gave more than anyone else as an example for them to follow his perfect lead.
    3. Not only did he give more than anyone else – he pressed them to give (I Chr 29:5).
    4. Not only did he enjoy giving, but he rejoiced if others gave liberally (I Chr 29:9).
    5. Not only did he understand giving, he prayed God to preserve it (I Chr 29:10-19).

#76 … HE WAS NOT CONTENT

  1. David knew he could do better pleasing God, and he committed himself to do better.
    1. He was content with God … see the trait above, Contented with God Himself.
    2. However, David was not content with his ordinary treatment of God or worship.
  2. The character and ambition of true Christians is to grow more and more in godliness.
    1. Paul praised the Thessalonians for love, but he expected more love (I Thes 4:9-10).
    2. Growth in grace is an important concern … https://letgodbetrue.com/sermons/index/year-2001/grow-in-grace/.
  3. David stated his commitment to future affection and worship of God many times (Psalm 9:1-2; 18:1; 34:1; 63:4; 104:33; 145:1-2; 146:2; etc., etc.). What about you?
  4. He did not want to die, because he wanted more time to praise God (Psalm 6:5; 30:9).
  5. He was not content, so he stated his desire and commitment to increase in godliness.
    1. David told the LORD that he would yet praise Him more and more (Psalm 71:14).
    2. If David could not write a new song, then he invented a new musical instrument!
    3. As stated above, David was not content, like Saul, with the ark in a private home.
    4. As stated above, David was not content, like Saul, with God’s worship in a tent.
    5. David was a liberal deviser, as great men are, and as above, He Was Liberal Giver.
  6. David did not wind down with age, but kept up vigorous efforts as long as he could.
    1. He gathered materials and money with all his might for the building of the temple.
    2. He was generationally conscience at the end of life to convey the truth (Ps 71:18).
    3. Review what is above about his latter days; see Exploited His Retirement Years.

CONCLUSION

  1. How will you remember or review these traits of David to change yourself to be more like David?
  2. This sermon outline with introductory points, a table of traits, and details will be on our website.
  3. Will you pray and provoke others to be like this special man after God’s own heart for their good?
  4. Every choice you make every day is either like David, or like Saul, or between these two men.
  5. Exceptional men do not excuse or explain their choices – they simply make only exceptional ones.

For Further Study:

  1. A slide sermon … After God’s Own Heart (Psalm 101).
  2. A sermon outline (long) … The Heart of David.
  3. A sermon … Exceeding Magnifical.
  4. A sermon … Is There Not a Cause?
  5. A slide sermon … Greatness by a Great Cause.
  6. A Bible study table … David’s Deeds.
  7. A slide sermon … David or Saul?
  8. A sermon outline … David or Joab?
  9. A sermon outline … David’s Mighty Men.
  10. A sermon outline … The Sons of Zeruiah.
  11. A sermon outline … Jesus the Son of David.
  12. A sermon outline … David the Musician.
  13. A sermon outline … The Last Words of David.
  14. A sermon outline … Fat and Happy.
  15. A sermon outline … He Deserves Better than That!
  16. A sermon outline … Psalm 18.
  17. A sermon outline … Messianic Psalms – An Introduction.
  18. A Proverb commentary … Proverbs 4:3.
  19. Study help for wives … The Wisdom of Abigail.