Topical Bible: God: Preserver: To David,

◄ God: Preserver: To David, ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the theme of God as the Preserver is vividly illustrated in the life of David, the shepherd boy who became the king of Israel. David's life, as recorded in the Scriptures, is a testament to God's preserving power and faithfulness. From his early days as a young shepherd to his reign as king, David experienced God's preservation in various forms—physical, spiritual, and political.

Preservation from Physical Harm

David's life was marked by numerous instances where God preserved him from physical danger. One of the most notable examples is his encounter with Goliath, the Philistine giant. In 1 Samuel 17, David, armed only with a sling and five smooth stones, faced Goliath with unwavering faith in God's protection. He 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). This victory was a clear demonstration of God's preserving hand over David.

Throughout his life, David faced many threats, including King Saul's relentless pursuit. Despite Saul's attempts to kill him, David was preserved by God's intervention. In 1 Samuel 23:14, it is recorded, "David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not deliver David into his hands" . This passage highlights God's active role in safeguarding David from harm.

Spiritual Preservation

David's relationship with God was characterized by deep spiritual intimacy, and God preserved him spiritually even amidst his failures. David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent events could have led to his spiritual downfall. However, in Psalm 51, David's heartfelt repentance and plea for mercy reveal God's willingness to preserve his soul. He cried out, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). God's response to David's repentance underscores His role as the Preserver of those who seek Him earnestly.

Political Preservation

As king, David faced numerous political challenges, including internal strife and external threats. Despite these challenges, God preserved his kingdom and lineage. In 2 Samuel 7:12-13, God made a covenant with David, promising, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever" . This covenant not only ensured the continuation of David's dynasty but also pointed to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would be born from David's line.

David's Acknowledgment of God as Preserver

David frequently acknowledged God's preserving power in his psalms. In Psalm 16:1, he wrote, "Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge" . This psalm, among others, reflects David's reliance on God as his protector and sustainer. David's life and writings serve as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to preserve those who trust in Him.

In summary, the life of David provides a rich tapestry of God's preserving power. Whether through physical deliverance, spiritual restoration, or political stability, God's role as Preserver is evident throughout David's journey. His account continues to inspire believers to trust in God's faithful preservation in all aspects of life.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Samuel 7:1
And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 11:13,14
He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Psalm 121:3. As the 148Th Psalm. God Our Preserver.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 121:3. As the 148th Psalm. God our
preserver. 1 Upward I lift mine eyes, From God is all my ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 121 3 0 as the 148th.htm

Psalm 121 God Our Preserver.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 121 God our preserver. 6,6,6,6,4,4,4,4 God our
preserver. Upward I lift mine eyes,. From God is all my aid; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 121 god our preserver.htm

The Psalms of David
... LM The covenant made with Christ; or, the true David. Psalm 89:2. First
Part. ... Psalm 121:3. As the 148th Psalm. God our preserver. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... infer that he is also a Governor and Preserver, and that, not ... Thus David, after briefly
premising that the world was created by God, immediately descends ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

How David, Upon Saul's Laying Snares for Him, did yet Escape the ...
... be gently or peevishly disposed; for this God himself knows ... So David appeared and
fell at Jonathan's feet, and bowed ... to him, and called him the preserver of his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david upon.htm

God Justified, Though Man Believes Not
... He quotes what David had said in the fifty-first Psalm ... end well for you unless you
yield yourself to God. He is your Maker and Preserver; every argument we can ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/god justified though man believes.htm

God in the Covenant
... If thou canst put this promise inside thy cup, will not thou be forced to say, with
David, "My cup runneth over ... He will have God to be his preserver, to take ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god in the covenant.htm

The Fatherhood of God
... man upon the earth.' If I call thee my Preserver thou wilt ... So when we come to God,
our prayers are little broken ... That is just what David said once, "Lo, all my ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the fatherhood of god.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... he even slew the son of his preserver, Jehoiada, for ... that great blessing of the House
of David, that the ... Son should be born, and should be God present with us. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

Whyte -- Experience
... repent in dust and ashes." And David has scarcely ... and the grace, and the government
of Almighty God? ... unbecoming debates about your Maker and Preserver and turn ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/whyte experience.htm