David, the second king of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose life exemplifies various virtues, including unselfishness. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 1 Chronicles. David's unselfishness is evident in several key episodes of his life, where he consistently placed the needs and well-being of others above his own desires and ambitions.

One of the earliest demonstrations of David's unselfishness is seen in his relationship with King Saul. Despite being anointed as the future king of Israel by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13), David remained loyal to Saul, who was still the reigning king. Even when Saul became envious and sought to kill him, David refused to harm Saul, respecting his position as the Lord's anointed. In 1 Samuel 24:6 , David says, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed."

David's unselfishness is further highlighted in his friendship with Jonathan, Saul's son. Despite knowing that Jonathan was the heir to the throne, David formed a deep bond with him, characterized by mutual respect and love. In 1 Samuel 18:3-4 , it is recorded, "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt." This act of giving up his royal garments symbolized Jonathan's recognition of David's future role and David's willingness to accept it without ambition or rivalry.

David's unselfishness is also evident in his leadership as king. He consistently sought the welfare of his people and prioritized their needs over his own. In 2 Samuel 5:12 , it is noted, "And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel." David understood that his kingship was not for personal gain but for the benefit of the nation.

Another significant instance of David's unselfishness is his response to the rebellion of his son Absalom. Despite Absalom's betrayal and attempt to usurp the throne, David's primary concern was for his son's safety. In 2 Samuel 18:5 , David instructs his commanders, "Deal gently with the young man Absalom for my sake." Even in the face of personal betrayal, David's heart was inclined towards mercy and compassion.

David's unselfishness is also reflected in his desire to build a temple for the Lord. Although God did not permit him to construct the temple, David selflessly prepared the materials and resources for his son Solomon to complete the task. In 1 Chronicles 22:14 , David declares, "Now behold, with great effort I have provided for the house of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for they are in great quantity. I have also prepared timber and stone, and you may add to them."

Throughout his life, David demonstrated a heart aligned with God's purposes, often placing the needs of others and the will of God above his own desires. His unselfishness is a testament to his character and his deep relationship with the Lord, serving as an enduring example of selflessness and devotion in the biblical narrative.1 Samuel 24:17
And he said to David, You are more righteous than I: for you have rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded you evil.
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2 Samuel 15:19,20
Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why go you also with us? return to your place, and abide with the king: for you are a stranger, and also an exile.
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2 Samuel 23:16,17
And the three mighty men broke through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out to the LORD.
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1 Chronicles 21:17
And David said to God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let your hand, I pray you, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on your people, that they should be plagued.
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Psalm 69:6
Let not them that wait on you, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek you be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.
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The Children's Bible
... JERUSALEM MADE THE CAPITAL CITY. DAVID'S KINDNESS TO JONATHAN'S SON. A RICH MAN
WHO WAS A THIEF. ... THE REWARDS OF MODESTY AND UNSELFISHNESS. HOW TO USE MONEY. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

The Fall of Solomon
... they would never have blurted out the errors and sins of David and Solomon as ... of
early religion, or make them cynically ashamed of the unselfishness of their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the fall of solomon.htm

The Exile.
... David's calm indifference to outward circumstances affecting himself, is very ... his
poetic temperament, partly from his sweet natural unselfishness, and chiefly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iv the exile.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... the woodland solitudes they plighted their faith again, and the beautiful unselfishness
of Jonathan ... that from the men of his own tribe, again dogs David's steps ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

His Writings and his Character
... Unselfishness; 126. ... In modern times no missionary has had this consecrated spirit
of adventure in the same degree as that great Scotchman, David Livingstone. ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter vii his writings and.htm

Drummond -- the Greatest Thing in the World
... the only white man they ever saw before"David Livingstone; and ... is not puffed up."
Courtesy""Doth not behave itself unseemly." Unselfishness""Seeketh not ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/drummond the greatest thing.htm

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and ...
... the two statements, that Messiah was David's Son, and that David owned Him ... well have
led more earnest to energetic admonitions to humility and unselfishness. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the third day.htm

The British Collapse, 1760-1801.
... of the Present Constitution of the Unitas Fratrum," and David Cranz's "History ... For
unselfishness this policy was unmatched; but it nearly ruined the Moravian ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iv the british collapse.htm

The Man after God's Own Heart
... But David takes down his harp and sings a sweeter psalm than all: "Thy ... of its angelic
purity, of its divine glory, of its Christ-like unselfishness, of its ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/the man after gods own.htm

The Christian Church a Family.
... Church of the time of Abraham and Isaac, and its condition under David; or the ... of
the love of God than a thousand sermons"one act of unselfishness, of real ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xv the christian church a.htm

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