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Today, let’s look at the life of David to see an example of God’s unfailing love. The Bible says David was a man after God’s own heart. (I Samuel 13:14 NIV) He wrote most of the Book of Psalms and spoke many times about God’s unfailing love. He committed some despicable sins, but he was quick to repent and humble himself and turn back to God. We can see God’s unfailing love and faithfulness to David and know He is just as loving and faithful to us.
Young David
When we first meet David, he is young, possibly 15 years old. He has the unremarkable job of shepherding his father’s sheep in Bethlehem. God calls him out of the pasture to be anointed as king of Israel, but it is a calling that does not come to pass for many years.
From there, David catches the attention of the current king of Israel, King Saul. King Saul has lost God’s favor because he was disobedient and did not repent. An evil spirit troubles him, and he only has peace when David plays the harp.
A few years later, David challenges Goliath, the Philistine giant who terrorizes the Israelites. And young David defeats him! Instead of honoring him, King Saul becomes jealous and fearful of David. He tries to kill David himself, but fails. So he sends David out to fight against the Philistines, hoping he will be killed in battle. But God is faithful to David and protects him.
Years of War
Eventually, David realizes he will not be safe around King Saul and goes on the run. He hides in the wilderness, in caves, and with the enemies of Israel. All the while he continues to follow God and turns to Him in his trouble. God responds by leading him and protecting him.
After many years on the run, David hears that King Saul has died in battle. God tells David to go to a town in Judah, and the men there anoint him king over Judah. For seven and a half years David reigns as king over Judah, but not Israel. Those seven and a half years are spent warring with Israel, which is controlled by those loyal to King Saul.
Finally, the men of Israel turn to David and ask him to be king over Israel as well. David accepts, and at 37 years of age, he steps into the position God anointed him for as a teenage shepherd.
Peace at Last
This begins a time of relative peace for David and his kingdom. He is established in his palace in Jerusalem, no longer hiding out in caves or running for his life. He decides he wants to build a house for God in place of the tent where His presence has dwelled with the Ark of the Covenant since the time of Moses. But God tells him no.
Instead, God makes a covenant with David. He promises David that He will build a house for him and one of his descendants will sit on his throne forever. This son will build a house for God and God will establish him over His throne and His kingdom forever. David is humbled by this covenant promise and worships God for all the things He has done for Israel and for him.
And Then…
David sins with fatal consequences. He pridefully orders a census of all the battle-ready men in Israel. As a result, a three-day plague comes on Israel and 70,000 men die. He commits adultery with Bathsheba, and then has her soldier husband placed at the front lines of battle so he will be killed. The child that is born from their affair becomes sick and dies. David’s oldest son rapes one of his daughters, and instead of delivering justice, David does nothing. His third son murders the oldest, and once more, David does nothing. Soon, David is again running for his life as his third son attempts to take over the kingdom.
But God is merciful to David. Each time David repents of his sin, God accepts his repentance and restores him. God brings blessings on him and does not hold his sins against him forever. He continues to show His unfailing love and faithfulness to David. And God keeps His covenant promise to put one of David’s descendants on his throne forever: Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Son of David.
The Main Point
David was a man after God’s own heart, but he also had a sinful nature. However, when he sinned, he was quick to repent and turn back to God in true humility. God showed His unfailing love and faithfulness to David by forgiving him and restoring him each time he repented. In the same way, God forgives us and restores us each time we repent of our sins. (I John 1:9) He continues to show us His unfailing love and faithfulness and does not hold our sins against us. (Isaiah 43:25, Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews 8:12)
Over the next several days, read more about the life of David in I Samuel 16 – 31, II Samuel, and I Chronicles 3, 10 – 23, 28, 29. Notice how God shows His unfailing love to David by protecting and leading him.
Do you see similarities in your life to the life of David? How has God shown you His unfailing love? Leave a comment below!