INTRODUCTION:

A. David is one of the most well-known characters in all the Bible.
B. Both young and old have marveled at the account of David's slaying Goliath; and tragically most also  have heard of his adulterous encounter with Bathsheba.
C. Bible students will also remember that David is referred to in Acts 13:22 as a "man after God's own  heart."
D. David was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse (I Samuel 16:1); his grandfather was Obed, and his great- grandfather was Boaz.  His great-grandmother was Ruth (Ruth 4:13-17).
E. We know nothing of the personal life of David until he is introduced to us by Samuel as he anoints David  as the future king of Israel.  At that time David was a shepherd, a keeper of his father's sheep.
F. David was known to the servants of King Saul as a skillful harp player, and was called to play for Saul  when he was troubled by an evil spirit.
G. He was also known as a mighty, valiant man, a man of war, prudent, and one with whom the Lord abode.   He was a brilliant strategist, a conquering and just ruler (I Samuel 18:27; I Chronicles 8;14).
H. David was a marksman with a sling, a skill probably acquired while a shepherd, and also wrote many of  the Psalms.  He was referred to as the "sweet psalmist of Israel" (II Samuel 23:1).
I. There is no doubt that David was a brave, courageous, leader of men.  Many episodes of David's courage  in the face of danger could be cited.  It will be the purpose of this lesson to look at other qualities in his  life that are very admirable and reflect a great strength of character.

DISCUSSION:

I. DAVID WAS A MAN OF COMPASSION.

 A. Though the youngest of Jesse's sons he was old enough to be left in charge of his father's sheep.
  1. Jesus spoke of himself as the good shepherd (John 10) and emphasized that a good    shepherd has a genuine concern for the welfare of the sheep.
  2. David was a good shepherd who demonstrated this genuine concern for the sheep in his    care, risking his life on occasion to protect them (I Samuel 16:7,8; 17:34-36).
  3. Why should he have a concern for these animals?  Did it stem from a tender heart filled    with compassion?
 B. Compassion marked the heart of David as is seen on many occasions and in various 
  circumstances.
  1. David refused to harm or allow anyone else to harm King  Saul, even though Saul was    determined to kill David (I Samuel 24:1-7; 26:11,12).
  2. When Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle against the Philistines, and Abner and    Ishbosheth were murdered, David mourned for all of them (II Samuel 1:2; 3:31;     4:8-12).
  3. Compassion is shown Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan (II Samuel 9) and on Hanun, son    of Nahash, king of Ammon, when his father died (II Samuel 10).
  4. When the prophet Nathan went to David to rebuke him for the murder of Uriah, David's    compassion was greatly aroused, though misplaced.  But David felt strong compassion    for the poor man with nothing to his name except one little ewe lamb.  (His compassion    should have been for Uriah and Bathsheba).
  5. Compassion was even shown Absalom after he stole the kingdom from David and tried    to kill his father (II Samuel 18:5,33).
 C. What is compassion?
  1. According to Webster it is, "a sympathetic emotion created by the misfortunes of 
   another; accompanied by a desire to help; mercy."
  2. Notice there are two elements to compassion; a sympathetic emotion and a desire to    help.
 D. Christians need to strive for hearts of compassion.
  1. God is a God of compassion (Psalm 86:15).
  2. Jesus often demonstrated compassion (Matthew 9:36; 23:37-39).
  3. Christians are instructed to grow in compassion (Colossians 3:12; I Peter 3:8).
II. DAVID WAS A MAN OF HIS WORD.
 A. Remember the covenant David made with Jonathan (I Samuel 18:13).  This covenant remained   unbroken in spite of Saul's jealousy, fear, and hatred of David.
 B. Christians should learn the importance of keeping one's covenants.  A Christian's word should 
  be his bond.  Honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness should be the characteristics of the Christian   life (Matthew 5:33-37; Romans 1:31).
  1. We should keep the covenant we have made with God (Luke 9:57-62; II Peter 2:20,21).
  2. Husbands and wives should honor the commitment they made each other 
   (Matthew 19:4-6).
  3. Employers and employees should show that their word is good (Colossians 3:22-24).
  4. Friends, neighbors, and relatives should expect the word of the Christian to be true    (Ephesians 4:25).
III. DAVID DEMONSTRATED FORBEARANCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.
 A. David experienced persecution, rebellion, the overthrowing of  his kingdom; yet when the 
  opportunity for revenge presented itself, David did not take it (I Samuel 24:1-7; 26:11,12; 
  II Samuel 19:16-23).
 B. I do not believe the Bible teaches that as Christians we have no "rights."  Paul appealed to his   rights while in prison (Acts 16:36-38).  We are warned, however, in the word of God not to   seek vengeance or retaliate (Matthew 5:38,39; Romans 12:17-21).
 C. Christians must understand that at times we will be persecuted, may face rebellion, may lose   jobs, etc. because we are Christians.  We must forbear and endeavor to maintain the proper spirit   (Matthew 5:10-12,43-48; I Peter 2:21-24).
IV.  DAVID, THOUGH A VALIANT MAN, GAVE IN TO TEMPTATION.
 A. He committed adultery with Bathsheba (II Samuel 11).  When  he learned she had conceived, he   plotted to cover his sin which ultimately lead to the death of Uriah.
 B. Some of God's greatest servants have yielded to temptation.
  1. Abraham (Genesis 12:10-20).
  2. Judah (Genesis 38).
  3. Peter (Matthew 26:69-75).
 C. Christians must never believe they have become so strong that they could not be overtaken by 
  sin (I Corinthians 9:27; 10:12; Galatians 6:1).
 D. David did confess and repent of his sin, and we certainly should follow in that example 
  (II Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51).
CONCLUSION:
 The lessons to be learned from David are too numerous to cover in one lesson.  Consider the following 
 for further study:
 1. We must not judge by outward appearances.
 2. Others can suffer for our failure to heed God's word (Uzzah died for touching the ark of the   covenant, but the ark was being transported in a fashion that God had not authorized; 
  (II Samuel 6).
 3. We must respect those who hold positions authorized by God.
B. Let us learn from David.  Let us imitate his faith, his courage, his character; and let us benefit from his  mistakes.

        Steve Snider