Sermon on King David – David the Shepherd King #1
Categories: Biographical Sermon Outlines, Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on King DavidSermon on King David
INTRODUCTION:
A. Someone once said, “As we consider the record of Bible characters, how often we find ourselves looking into a mirror. We are humiliated by the reminder of how many times we have failed.”
1. 1 Corinthians 10:11
2. Considering characters from the Bible can reveal truth like nothing else. It is easier for us to understand principles of truth when we see them acted out in the lives of Bible characters.
3. With this in mind, we are going to embark on a study of the life of King David – there is written more about David than any other character in the whole Bible.
B. A fact sheet on David.
1. David’s name appears 1034 times in the whole Bible. 28 books contain reference to him (42% of the 66 books).
a. 66 chapters tell the story of King David.
b. The story of Abraham and Joseph in 14 chapters each.
2. The life of King David is too important to refer to only on occasion, because there is so much of it.
a. There is so much of David’s life we can relate to.
b. In the course of his time on earth, David was a shepherd, a musician, a songwriter, a poet, a warrior, a servant in Saul’s court, a fugitive, a king, a saint, a sinner, a lover, an adulterer, a father, a type of the Messiah, a prophet, a husband, a success, and a failure.
c. In each of these capacities David encountered in life – he did so in much the same way we do – he struggled.
3. David is the young shepherd who killed a giant – yet, fell prey to his own lustful impulses toward a woman.
a. He is the king who killed thousands of men – including the righteous husband of the woman who was carrying his child.
b. David’s life was not all success – he experienced bitter failure, and yet, his life was ultimately a glory to God
c. How could that be? Well, I hope that is one of the things we learn as we study the life of David.
DISCUSSION:
A. STARTING AT THE BEGINNING
1. King David took the throne of Israel in about 1013 BC.
a. He was in the middle of three important kings during a period of history called the “United Kingdom.”
b. The three important kings were Saul – David – Solomon.
2. The story of King David really begins, though, amid the sound, smells, and sight of the sheep pens of his father Jesse.
a. The beginning of the story of King David is told in Psalm 78:70-72
b. But we need to go back even farther than this if we are to understand the man and his times. In order to understand God’s calling of David, we have to go back some 40 years, beyond the calling of Israel’s first king, Saul.
B. BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO THE STORY OF KING DAVID
1. In the period prior to Israel’s great kings, the country was on a downward slide away from God.
a. The judges that had governed Israel for some 300 years were dead.
b. Eli, a godly man, served as High Priest for a number of years and then he died, leaving two sons to take over his job who were totally unqualified for the job.
c. The Bible says of them – 1 Samuel 2:12.
d. Apparently Eli, while a godly man himself, did not teach his sons and so pass on the faith. What about today?
e. The sons of Eli were thieves, immoral, and caused the people to abhor the worship of God – as a result, God called for the death of Hophni and Phinehas.
2. A young boy whom Eli had taught became judge – his name was Samuel.
a. Sadly, Samuel repeated the mistakes of Eli – 1 Samuel 8:1-3
b. It has been said that the church is never more than one generation away from extinction – this is certainly true if we do not pass our faith on to our children.
3. It was at this low time that Israel began to beg for a king that they might be like the nations around about them.
a. 1 Samuel 8:5.
b. Samuel warned them where this desire would lead – 1 Samuel 8:18-20 – later this would come back to haunt them.
4. A key to understanding some of what is written in 1 Samuel is noticing the contrast between Saul and David.
a. You see, Saul was the people’s choice, and 40 years later David would be God’s choice.
b. If you want to get a good idea as to whether it is best to insist on your own choice or God’s – contrast the outcome of the reigns of Saul and David.
5. Let’s take a look at a point in Saul’s life that closed the door on his leadership and caused God to reach out for David. This will set the stage for the life story of King David.
6. 1 Samuel 15:1-3, 9
a. 1 Samuel 15:10-15
1) Saul said, “I have performed the commands of Jehovah: – Had he?
2) He blames the people.
b. Did you also notice Saul’s reference to God? He called the Almighty “Jehovah thy God…” Saul did not have a relationship with God himself.
7. In the next verses Samuel makes it clear to Saul that partial obedience is not considered by God as obedience.
a. 1 Samuel 15:17-19
b. Saul for the moment stuck with his original excuse – 1 Samuel 15 20-21.
8. No, Saul, you did NOT utterly destroy the Amalekites – you spared the CHIEF Amalekites, and your cover up is not good either.
a. 1 Samuel 15:22-23
b. God wants our obedience – not just our worship!
c. Half hearted obedience is a big sin – Samuel called it rebellion.
9. God ultimately rejects half-hearted obedience – 1 Samuel 15:26.
a. Saul makes a lame attempt at repentance, but it proves too little, too late – 1 Samuel 15:27-28.
b. That “neighbor” would be a young boy, still at this time, at home with his parents in Bethlehem – David.
c. David, by the providence of God, because of the disobedient attitude of Saul, would be the next king.
CONCLUSION:
A. As we study the life of King David we need to consider a question that I believe this study will address.
1. What is God looking for in us?
2. What does it take to please God?
B. A comparison between the lives of David and Saul gives a tremendous expose on just exactly what God wants from us.
1. Both kings, at times, disobeyed.
2. Yet, one was excepted and the other rejected – WHY?
3. Some years after the death of King David, God makes a statement about David that will clear up this mystery – 1 Kings 14:7-8.
a. David was not perfect.
b. But the right attitude and desire was there.
c. More than anything David wanted to do what was right – he did not always do it, for he was weak like you and me.
C. What is it that God is looking for in men and women today? What pleases Him?
1. God is looking for people who will give Him their whole heart.
2. God is looking for people who will surrender their whole lives to Him – Are you that kind of person?