Week 11: Discovering the Character of God through David
11.1. David is perhaps one of the most famous of the Old Testament characters. Almost everyone, at some stage, will have heard of the ‘story’ of David and the Goliath. But what else do we know? Invite the group to share their thoughts.
11.2. To understand David’s story fully, we need to go back to the beginning. Read 1 Samuel 15:22-23 and give the group a brief overview of Saul’s behaviour as king: his adding to the law and his disobedience. God’s rejection of Saul shouldn’t have come as a surprise; God foresaw Saul’s disobedience and warned him of the outcome. We can read about this in 1 Samuel 13:13-14. Consequently, Saul’s behaviour was more than just disobedience; it was an ‘ostrich’ response – ignoring the warnings and determining to cling onto his kingdom. As we have already read, his efforts were in vain. God already had a particular person in mind to take over Saul’s throne; one who is ‘after God’s own heart’.
11.3. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Much of what we have learnt about God’s character is re-established in/through David (ie: how he carries out his threats, that He chooses unlikely people, etc). here, we learn something new: God says to Samuel that he ‘doesn’t see the same way people see.’ In a way, that’s a comfort: God is not worried about how posh or made-up we are, or even if we’re filthy and in rags. However, it should also be a challenge that leaves us slightly uncomfortable and keen to put ourselves right with God. He ‘looks at the heart’. He looked at David’s heart and was pleased with what he found. What if He were to look at our hearts?
11.4. All sin has consequences; sometimes we’re quick to blame Satan for our predicament in a desperate attempt to avoid taking responsibility for our actions but we could learn a valuable lesson from David. Read 2 Samuel 12:11-19. Here, Nathan – David’s advisor – comes to him with a word from the Lord; passing judgment on David’s actions and setting out the punishment he must suffer as a consequence. David sets an example for us in the way that he responds. He does not blame Satan. Instead, he fasts and prays.
11.5. Verse 20 then tells us that David worships after the child dies. That ‘worship’ is not what we 21st Century Christians might imagine. There was no big band or choir, no jumping up and down, clapping to lively songs or raised arms. David’s worship is quite different and we can see what it looked and sounded like by reading Psalm 51. The word ‘worshipped’ in 2 Samuel 12:20 in Hebrew is shâchâh, and means ‘to bow down/to fall in reverence.' So, essentially, David’s ‘worship’ is a prayerful response where he falls to his knees in reverence and repentance.
Week 11: Summary
Some of God’s characteristics are clearly evident in David’s life:
* He sees our hearts and actions
* He convicts us of our sin
* His conviction brings repentance
11.1. David is perhaps one of the most famous of the Old Testament characters. Almost everyone, at some stage, will have heard of the ‘story’ of David and the Goliath. But what else do we know? Invite the group to share their thoughts.
11.2. To understand David’s story fully, we need to go back to the beginning. Read 1 Samuel 15:22-23 and give the group a brief overview of Saul’s behaviour as king: his adding to the law and his disobedience. God’s rejection of Saul shouldn’t have come as a surprise; God foresaw Saul’s disobedience and warned him of the outcome. We can read about this in 1 Samuel 13:13-14. Consequently, Saul’s behaviour was more than just disobedience; it was an ‘ostrich’ response – ignoring the warnings and determining to cling onto his kingdom. As we have already read, his efforts were in vain. God already had a particular person in mind to take over Saul’s throne; one who is ‘after God’s own heart’.
11.3. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Much of what we have learnt about God’s character is re-established in/through David (ie: how he carries out his threats, that He chooses unlikely people, etc). here, we learn something new: God says to Samuel that he ‘doesn’t see the same way people see.’ In a way, that’s a comfort: God is not worried about how posh or made-up we are, or even if we’re filthy and in rags. However, it should also be a challenge that leaves us slightly uncomfortable and keen to put ourselves right with God. He ‘looks at the heart’. He looked at David’s heart and was pleased with what he found. What if He were to look at our hearts?
11.4. All sin has consequences; sometimes we’re quick to blame Satan for our predicament in a desperate attempt to avoid taking responsibility for our actions but we could learn a valuable lesson from David. Read 2 Samuel 12:11-19. Here, Nathan – David’s advisor – comes to him with a word from the Lord; passing judgment on David’s actions and setting out the punishment he must suffer as a consequence. David sets an example for us in the way that he responds. He does not blame Satan. Instead, he fasts and prays.
11.5. Verse 20 then tells us that David worships after the child dies. That ‘worship’ is not what we 21st Century Christians might imagine. There was no big band or choir, no jumping up and down, clapping to lively songs or raised arms. David’s worship is quite different and we can see what it looked and sounded like by reading Psalm 51. The word ‘worshipped’ in 2 Samuel 12:20 in Hebrew is shâchâh, and means ‘to bow down/to fall in reverence.' So, essentially, David’s ‘worship’ is a prayerful response where he falls to his knees in reverence and repentance.
Week 11: Summary
Some of God’s characteristics are clearly evident in David’s life:
* He sees our hearts and actions
* He convicts us of our sin
* His conviction brings repentance
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