A Man after God's Own Heart

A Man after God's Own Heart

 

Jason Bryant

 

 

     King David, champion and only King of the united Kingdom of Israel.  David, the scrawny little shepherd boy, whom was overlooked in the eyes of men, including his father Jesse, his older brothers, and the King Saul.  He lives in Judeo-Christian hearts and folklore, but he comes to life in the living Word of God.  David the boy learned to protect and provide as a young shepherd, fighting off lions and bears, and tending his father's flock.  Being a shepherd was a job looked down upon by the elite of society in his days, just as it is in Middle Eastern culture today.  In the solitude of the Bethlehem hills and green fields, David's relationship and trust in the God of Israel, David's God.  This truth is evident as his father Jesse sent him on an errand to the valley of Elah, where his older brothers were stationed with the Army of Israel and King Saul.  The valley of the enemy would be a fitting name also, seeing how the Philistines  stood opposed across the valley with their champion of a giant in comparison to the Hebrew soldier.  Goliath, prideful, boasting challenged for any man to come forth and battle in place of a all out battle of armies.  As is with many current Believers, no on would step out and defend the honor of God, but David, youngest of males on the front lines posed a question of truth, and a challenge of faith to his Hebrew brethren.  Look here at recorded history the particulars of this story. "

^"26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
²⁷ And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
²⁸ And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
²⁹ And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
³⁰ And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
³¹ And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
³² And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
³³ And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
³⁴ And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
³⁵ And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
³⁶ Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
³⁷ David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
³⁸ And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
³⁹ And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
⁴⁰ And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
⁴¹ And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
⁴² And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
⁴³ And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
⁴⁴ And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
⁴⁵ Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with 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.
⁴⁶ This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
⁴⁷ And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.
⁴⁸ And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
⁴⁹ And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
⁵⁰ So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
⁵¹ Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled."
     David would be anointed God's chosen king, the bloodline of Christ would flow from His veins, yet even after his faithfulness, David would be hunted down for years by his own father in law, after being named God's man...he would face struggles, but David trusted the Lord, because David knew the Lord.  Friend whatever battle you are facing, be obedient, defend the cause for Christ, and remember the battle belongs to the Lord.