David's Preparation
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David, the youngest son of Jesse, is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, known for his role as the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. His preparation for this significant role is marked by a series of divinely orchestrated events and personal experiences that shaped his character and leadership.

Anointing by Samuel

David's preparation begins with his anointing by the prophet Samuel. God rejected Saul as king due to his disobedience and sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king. Despite being the youngest and seemingly least likely candidate, David was chosen by God. The Lord instructed Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). This anointing marked the beginning of David's journey and the presence of the Spirit of the Lord upon him.

Shepherding and Musical Skills

David's early life as a shepherd was crucial in his preparation. Tending sheep taught him responsibility, courage, and the ability to protect and lead. His experience in the fields also provided him with the opportunity to develop his skills with the harp, which later brought him into the service of King Saul. David's musical talent was recognized when Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, and David was brought to play the harp to soothe the king. "Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play, and relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him" (1 Samuel 16:23).

Defeating Goliath

One of the most defining moments in David's preparation was his encounter with Goliath, the Philistine giant. David's faith in God and his experience as a shepherd gave him the confidence to face Goliath when the Israelite army was paralyzed with fear. David declared, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37). Armed with only a sling and five smooth stones, David defeated Goliath, demonstrating his trust in God and his readiness to lead Israel.

Service in Saul's Court

David's time in Saul's court was another significant aspect of his preparation. Initially, he served as a musician and armor-bearer, gaining insight into the workings of the royal court. However, as David's popularity grew, Saul's jealousy led to multiple attempts on David's life. These trials tested David's patience, humility, and reliance on God. Despite the danger, David consistently refused to harm Saul, respecting him as the Lord's anointed. This period of adversity honed David's character and deepened his dependence on God.

Friendship with Jonathan

David's friendship with Jonathan, Saul's son, was a source of encouragement and support during his preparation. Their covenantal friendship exemplified loyalty and selflessness. Jonathan recognized David's future as king and willingly supported him, even at the cost of his own claim to the throne. This relationship provided David with a model of godly friendship and mutual respect.

Wilderness Experience

David's years in the wilderness, fleeing from Saul, were a time of intense preparation. During this period, David gathered a group of loyal followers and developed his leadership skills. He learned to trust God's provision and guidance in the face of uncertainty and danger. The Psalms, many of which were written during this time, reflect David's deepening relationship with God and his reliance on divine strength and wisdom.

Conclusion

David's preparation for kingship was a multifaceted process involving divine selection, personal growth, and spiritual development. Through his experiences as a shepherd, musician, warrior, and fugitive, David was molded into a leader who would unite the tribes of Israel and establish a kingdom that foreshadowed the eternal reign of the Messiah.
Subtopics

David

David: A Prophetic Name for Christ

David: After Three Months, David Brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem With Dancing and Great Joy

David: Anointed King Over all Israel, After Reigning Over Judah at Hebron for Seven Years and Six Months

David: Assembles Thirty-Thousand Men to Escort the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem With Music and Thanksgiving

David: Consigns Seven Sons of Saul to the Gibeonites to be Killed to Atone for Saul's Persecution of the Gibeonites

David: David Rebukes the Priests for not Showing Loyalty Amid the Complaints of the People Against Him

David: Desires to Build a Temple, is Forbidden, But Receives God's Promise That his Seed should Reign Forever

David: King of Israel

David: King of Israel is Chastised With Grievous Affliction on Account of his Crime

David: King of Israel is Defrauded of Merab, and Given Michal to Marry

David: King of Israel is Rebuked by the Prophet Nathan

David: King of Israel is Refused Permission to Accompany the Philistines to Battle Against the Israelites

David: King of Israel: A Shepherd

David: King of Israel: Abner Revolts from Ish-Bosheth, and Joins David, But is Killed by Joab

David: King of Israel: About This Time Writes

David: King of Israel: Absalom's Defeat and Death

David: King of Israel: Absalom's Return

David: King of Israel: Absalom's Usurpation

David: King of Israel: Adonijah Usurps the Sceptre; Solomon Appointed to the Throne

David: King of Israel: After Living for One Year and Four Months at Ziklag

David: King of Israel: Age of, at Death

David: King of Israel: Amasa is Killed

David: King of Israel: Ammonites Defeated and Tortured

David: King of Israel: Amnon's Crime, his Murder by Absalom, and Absalom's Flight

David: King of Israel: Anointed King, While a Youth, by the Prophet Samuel, and Inspired

David: King of Israel: At Hebron

David: King of Israel: At Jerusalem

David: King of Israel: At This Time Probably Writes

David: King of Israel: At This Time, Probably, David Composes

David: King of Israel: At This Time, Probably, David Writes

David: King of Israel: Barzillai Rewarded

David: King of Israel: Builds a Palace

David: King of Israel: Buries Saul's Bones, and the Bones of his Sons

David: King of Israel: Chosen of God

David: King of Israel: Chronicles of, Written by Samuel, Nathan, and Gad

David: King of Israel: Civil and Military officers of

David: King of Israel: Commits Adultery With Bath-Sheba

David: King of Israel: Conducts a Campaign Against, and Defeats the Philistines

David: King of Israel: Conducts an Expedition Against Amalekites, Misstates the Facts to Achish

David: King of Israel: Conquers the Philistines, Moabites, and Syria

David: King of Israel: Covenants With Saul

David: King of Israel: Crosses the Jordan River

David: King of Israel: David As Musician

David: King of Israel: David As Poet

David: King of Israel: David As Prophet

David: King of Israel: David Goes to Hebron, and is Anointed King by Judah

David: King of Israel: David is Terrified, and Leaves the Ark at the House of Obed-Edom

David: King of Israel: David Wages War Against and Defeats Ish-Bosheth

David: King of Israel: David's Flight from Jerusalem

David: King of Israel: Death and Burial of Saul and his Sons

David: King of Israel: Death of

David: King of Israel: Death of his Infant Son (Born from Bath-Sheba)

David: King of Israel: Defeats the Philistines

David: King of Israel: Delivers his Charge to Solomon

David: King of Israel: Demands the Restoration of Michal, his Wife

David: King of Israel: Descendants of

David: King of Israel: Described to Saul

David: King of Israel: Detailed As Armor-Bearer and Musician at Saul's Court

David: King of Israel: Devoutness of

David: King of Israel: Discreetness of

David: King of Israel: Escapes by Way of Nob, where he Obtains Shewbread and Goliath's Sword from Abimelech

David: King of Israel: Escapes to Gath

David: King of Israel: Fame of

David: King of Israel: Flees to Achish and Lives in Ziklag

David: King of Israel: Friendship of, With Hiram, King of Tyre

David: King of Israel: Genealogy of

David: King of Israel: Goes to En-Gedi

David: King of Israel: Goes to the Wilderness of Ziph, is Betrayed to Saul

David: King of Israel: He Probably Writes, at This Time

David: King of Israel: Interpretation and Fulfillment of This Prophecy

David: King of Israel: Ish-Bosheth, Son of Saul, Crowned

David: King of Israel: Jesus Called Son of

David: King of Israel: Jonathan Intercedes For

David: King of Israel: Judah Accused by the Ten Tribes of Stealing Him Away

David: King of Israel: Justice in the Administration of

David: King of Israel: Kills a Lion and a Bear

David: King of Israel: Kills Goliath

David: King of Israel: Kills the Murderer of Saul

David: King of Israel: Lamentation Over Saul

David: King of Israel: Laments the Death of Absalom

David: King of Israel: Last Words of

David: King of Israel: Length of Reign, Forty Years

David: King of Israel: Lists of his Heroes, and of Their Exploits

David: King of Israel: Lives in the Wilderness of Ziph, Has Opportunity to Kill Saul, But Only Takes his Spear

David: King of Israel: Makes Amasa General

David: King of Israel: Makes Conquest of Jerusalem

David: King of Israel: Makes Second Covenant With Jonathan

David: King of Israel: Marries Abishag

David: King of Israel: Marries Nabal's Widow, Abigail, and Ahinoam

David: King of Israel: Meekness of

David: King of Israel: Mephibosheth Begs for the King's Favor

David: King of Israel: Merciful

David: King of Israel: Michal Rebukes Him for his Religious Enthusiasm

David: King of Israel: Offers Sacrifice, Distributes Gifts, and Blesses the People

David: King of Israel: Organized the Tabernacle Service

David: King of Israel: Philistines Make War Against, and are Defeated by Him

David: King of Israel: Popularity and Discreetness of

David: King of Israel: Probably Composes

David: King of Israel: Probably Writes

David: King of Israel: Probably Writes Psalms Eleven at This Period of his Life

David: King of Israel: Prophecies Concerning Him and his Kingdom

David: King of Israel: Prospered of God

David: King of Israel: Punishes Ish-Bosheth's Murderers

David: King of Israel: Rebuked by Joab

David: King of Israel: Recruits an Army of Insurgents, Goes to Moab, Returns to Hareth

David: King of Israel: Refrains from Killing Saul

David: King of Israel: Repents of his Crime and Confesses his Guilt

David: King of Israel: Rescues the People of Ziklag, Who had been Captured by the Amalekites

David: King of Israel: Returns to Jerusalem

David: King of Israel: Returns, and Jonathan Makes Covenant With Him

David: King of Israel: Saul Attempts to Kill Him

David: King of Israel: Saul is Diverted from Pursuit of

David: King of Israel: Saul's Jealousy of

David: King of Israel: Saves Keilah

David: King of Israel: Sends Commissioners With a Message of Sympathy to Hanun, Son of the King of Ammon

David: King of Israel: Sepulchre of

David: King of Israel: Sheba's Conspiracy Against David, and his Death

David: King of Israel: Shimei Begs for Clemency

David: King of Israel: Shimei Curses Him

David: King of Israel: Solomon is Born To

David: King of Israel: Takes Bath-Sheba to be his Wife

David: King of Israel: Takes the Military Strength of Israel Without Divine Authority, and is Reproved

David: King of Israel: The List of Men Who Join Him

David: King of Israel: The List of Those Who Join Him at Hebron

David: King of Israel: The Love of Jonathan For

David: King of Israel: Treats Mephibosheth, the Lame Son of Saul, With Great Kindness

David: King of Israel: Type of Christ

David: King of Israel: Uzzah is Struck Down when he Attempts to Steady the Ark of the Covenant

David: King of Israel: Wickedly Causes the Death of Uriah

David: King of Israel: Wives of

David: King of Israel: Writes

David: King of Israel: Writes a Psalm on the Betrayal

Epic: David's War Song

Iconoclasm: Destroyed by David

Magnanimity: David to Saul

Nepotism of David

Related Terms

Nephusim (1 Occurrence)

Nepthalim (2 Occurrences)

David's Prayer on the Mount of Olives
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