"David - A Man After God's Own Heart" Part 1of 12 Series

Pastor Dave Martin, Cross Creek Community Church, May 11, 2003

“David – A Man After God’s Own Heart”

Part 1

(Be reading & studying 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, 1Kings 1-2)

Throughout the Bible we see many individual characters, some good and some bad. I’ve always loved biographies – we’re going to begin a new series on one of the most interesting person in the Bible, a look at the life of David.

Background Information concerning David:

· More space in the Bible is devoted to David than any other person (even Jesus).

· His life is covered in 4 books, 66 OT chapters & 59 NT references to His life.

· His writings occupy at least 73 chapters of the Bible – possibly writing 2/3 of the book of Psalms.

· He is called the “Greatest sinner and the greatest saint in the OT”.

· Thompson Chain reference Bible, “No Bible character more fully illustrates the moral range of human nature”.

· Hastings says, “The David of Israel is not simply the greatest of her kings; he is the man great in everything”.

· P. Morgan said, “David is the most unforgettable character I will ever meet”.

David was a shepherd, hunter, warrior, general, king, poet, actor, champion, outlaw, ladies man, musician, prophet, worship leader, adulterer, murderer, brother, husband, son, parent, leader, hero, builder, administrator, ancestor of Jesus Christ, a man after God’s own heart!

Let’s begin with a little background concerning Saul. Israel was at a low point spiritually; the nation and her leaders rejected God Himself as their leader and King. Look at these few verses…

1 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

1 Samuel 8:19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us.

1 Samuel 9:2 He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites--a head taller than any of the others.

1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?

· Israel desired a man to lead them like their pagan neighbors. They were tired of worshiping an invisible God!

· Israel wanted a man as their king…in steps Saul. 1Sam 8-10

· Saul was the people’s choice award winner! Saul was 30 years old when he became king. Then possibly two years into his reign Saul attacks the Philistines stirring up a hornet’s nest. (Chpt 13)

1 Samuel 13:6-14 When the men of Israel saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. 7Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. 8He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. 9So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings." And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. 11"What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, 12I thought, ’Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’S favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."

13"You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’S command."

Saul: A Man After His Own Heart… Sure-fire ways to spiritually crash:

1. SELF - Centeredness. 1Sam 13:6-14

· Throughout the reign of Saul we see a self-centered individual. Doing what he thought was best with his own plans.

· In pride, he lived a life of jealousy toward David that consumed him until he fell on his own sword during a battle.

· Saul was thin-skinned, hot tempered, given to depression doing things his way, things turned wrong – disillusioned.

2. DISOBEDIENT 1Sam 13:13 & 15:19-23

1 Samuel 13:13 "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.