Propfile Of The Prophets - David

by Joseph Hunting

David has the distinction of being called both Patriarch and Prophet in the Scriptures (Acts 2:29,30); he is indeed a prince among prophets.

David was the youngest of eight brothers and was not considered worthy to appear before Samuel when the Lord sent him to Bethlehem to anoint a king from among the sons of Jesse to replace Saul. What a lesson we can learn from this, as it is written, "God's ways are not our ways" and "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty ... and things which are despised hath God chosen ... that no flesh should glory in His presence." (Isaiah 55:8 and 1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

As a young man David was deeply aware of God's presence with him, and this was the source of his courage in combat. Who has not been thrilled by the story of David and Goliath? In spite of the overwhelming odds, and in the face of almost certain death, "David said to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword and a spear, and a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." (1 Samuel 17:45).

David was a "man after God's own heart". What a compliment! His psalms are a source of delight, comfort in sorrow and daily strength. He rose to great spiritual heights in his praise and worship of God. Who has not read the opening verses of Psalm 18 and felt his spirit well up within him? "I will love thee, O Lord my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised ..."

Yet David committed adultery and plotted the murder of an innocent man, a man who trusted him implicitly! Even so, in spite of the enormity of his sin, David blazed a trail back to God's mercy and forgiveness. He was aware that there was no provision in the blood sacrifices for his wilful and deliberate sin. "For thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it." (Psalm 51:16). His repentance and cry to God for mercy are enshrined in Psalm 51. "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness: according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgression and my sin is ever before me ... The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalm 51:1-3,17).

THE DAVIDIC COVENANT

David's great exploits and his stature as a man of God would have marked him out as one of Israel's greatest sons as well as being their great warrior-king. Yet God accorded him a far greater honour than his earthy attainments. This was the great Davidic covenant conferred upon David by Nathan the Prophet, in which "the Lord telleth thee that He will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever ... And thy house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." (2 Samuel 7:11-16). This covenant was also confirmed in Psalm 132. "The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it: of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep My covenant and My testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall sit upon thy throne for evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation." (verses 11,13).

During the centuries that followed Judah's kings forsook the Lord, but severe judgement was withheld "for David my servant's sake" until their apostasy was complete and "There was no remedy".

As the last king of the Davidic dynasty went into captivity and the Temple and Jerusalem smouldered in ruins, Ezekiel made a promise that has given hope that one day God will restore the throne of David according to His covenant. "Thus saith the Lord God, remove the diadem; take off the crown ... I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, UNTIL HE COMES WHOSE RIGHT IT IS; and I will give it to him." (Ezekiel 21:26-27).

Two thousand five hundred years have passed and the one whose right it is to mount the throne of his father David has not yet fulfilled the promise. There has been no lack of rulers in Jerusalem, but always under Gentile control. June 1967 saw the end of 2,500 years of Gentile subjugation of the Holy City and the way is now being prepared for Him "whose right it is". None other than the archangel Gabriel has revealed the identity of great David's greater Son. "And the angel said unto her, fear not Mary (Miriam) : for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus (Yeshua). He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:30-33).