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This week Rabbi Glenn launched the new study of King David by going through his introductory notes (see below).  He then read and discussed Judges 19-21, in order to set the historical situation into which Samuel would emerge, and through him, Saul and David. There was also about 10-15 minutes of Q/A.

Short of Perfection… but Sufficient

An Introduction to the Life of David

Congregation Shema Yisrael Bible Study

Rabbi Glenn

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the Prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

(Hebrews 11:32-34)

Introduction:

This evening we begin a new Bible study series in the life of David. In order to do justice to such a study, we will need to give context to the historical and spiritual circumstances in Israel in the years prior to David’s birth and childhood. What this entails is that we will need to review, even if briefly, the situation in Israel during the time of the Judges, leading up to and including the rise of Samuel as the last of the judges and first of the prophets. We will also study the transition of Israel’s leadership, from that of the judges to leadership under her kings. In order to understand David properly, we will need to see how his character is contrasted with that of Saul.

But this isn’t going to be merely an historical study of 1 and 2 Samuel and the early chapters of Kings, highlighting the circumstances and accomplishments of David. Rather, I am hoping we will see that David is more than an historical figure, but is, in fact, a foreshadowing – an archetype, of Yeshua. Therefore, many of the circumstances in David’s life have prophetic implications; pointing in some way to the greater David to come – Messiah, the Son of David.

What we hope you’ll get out of this study:

Naturally, one of the goals of this series is to reinforce your confidence in the Bible as God’s infallible and historically reliable Word. One of the marks of the authenticity of Scripture is how honestly it portrays the character flaws and glaring failures of even the great heroes of the Faith. In that sense the Scriptures are very unlike mythology. As with the lives of each of the great men and women of the Bible, David was very much a human being. He was far from perfect. Yet for all his sin, he is nevertheless described as a man after God’s heart.

It is hoped that you will also increase in appreciation for the Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures, as you begin to see that the circumstances of David’s life were anything but arbitrary. In fact, they point us to greater things. David was not only a king, but also a prophet, and that is borne out in what he wrote, and in what he experienced.

There are profound life lessons to be learned from an honest examination of David’s life; perhaps most notably, the consequences of our choices – how a chain reaction of events (good or bad) can be set in motion by a single act. David’s life also illustrates the value of friendship and loyalty, and how those relationships are sometimes put to the test. We will learn the benefits of humility, and of the high cost of arrogance and presumption.

It is also hoped that you will develop a ‘trained eye’ – the ability to discover the many marvelous ‘hints’ of Messiah, in otherwise unlikely places in Scripture. The Hebrew word for ‘hint’ is remez. Foreshadows of the Messiah, and of the ‘big picture’ of world redemption are to be found even in the historical narratives of the Bible. Sadly, few Christians are even aware that they exist, and are missing out on the joy of such discoveries. We hope this study will increase your biblical literacy, not for the sake of personal pride, but rather to build your confidence as you endeavor to share your faith in Yeshua with others.

And we hope that a study of the life of David will help you discover more about the nature of God, and remind you of His holiness and yet also His mercy. Both Law and Grace are to be found in these biblical stories, and it is hoped that you will appreciate even more what it means to live by faith and to enjoy belonging to Messiah Yeshua in the New Covenant He inaugurated.

Historical setting:

• Samuel is nearing the end of his life (his death is recorded in 1 Samuel 25)
• This is a transitional time for Israel – from Judges to Kings
• Saul has been a less-than-stellar king: presumptuous, excuse-making
• Israel is in a state of spiritual morass, and needing better leadership
• Israel’s spiritual condition is reflected in its leader

A brief overview:

• Youngest of 8 sons of Jesse (Ruth was his great-grandmother – [Ruth 4:22])

Note: What appears to be a contradiction in the total number of sons of Jesse (1 Samuel 16:10 & 17:12 vs. 1 Chronicles 2:9-15) is easily answered: most likely one of Jesse’s sons died before marrying or bearing children; perhaps in battle against the Philistines.

• Born in Bethlehem (cf. Micah 5:1-2)
• Of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 28:4)
• A shepherd in his youth (a fearless shepherd – cf. 17:34-37)
• An unlikely choice, yet anointed by Samuel to be Israel’s next king
• Pressed into service under Saul (musician)

Highlights of David’s life:

• Defeats Philistine giant, Goliath, given Saul’s daughter Michal in marriage
• Remains faithful to Adonai and Saul, despite Saul’s attempts to kill him
• Formed a steadfast friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan (note: 23:15-18)
• Meeting and ultimately marrying Abigail (ch. 25)
• Defeats and nearly destroys the Amalekites (ch. 30)
• Becomes King – in Hebron (7 ½ years – cf. 2 Samuel 2:11)
• Consolidates power (2 Samuel 2-5)
• Captures Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-7 cf. Judges 1:21)

Something to think about:

David was just a youth when anointed by Samuel. But in 2 Samuel 5:4, we find out that he was thirty years old when he became king! That’s quite a long delay in seeing the fulfillment of what had been promised! But it appears to have been God’s way of grooming great leaders in Israel; many years transpire before their promised ascendancy is realized. Those intervals seem to be the crucible in which faith is grown, patience produced and character developed.

Bibliography:

David: Shepherd, Psalmist, King – F. B. Meyer

The Life of David – Arthur W. Pink

Facing Your Giants – Max Lucado

King David: The Real Life of the Man Who Ruled Israel – Jonathan Kirsch (note: this not an evangelical commentary)

1 & 2 Samuel – Ronald F. Youngblood

1 & 2 Samuel – Joyce G. Baldwin

1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart – Dale Ralph Davis

2 Samuel: Out of Every Adversity – Dale Ralph Davis