David: The Heart of a Leader

God calls David "a man after His own heart" & selects him as King. David's heart is for God. Despite circumstances of life, David is transformed by the Spirit of God and his response is compassionate, gracious and humble. All character qualities necessary for leadership.

Israel and the Philistines prepare to battle. Goliath challenges the armies of Israel. David defeats Goliath. Looking at 4 responses in this crisis we see: 1. Israel is fearful while David has a vertical perspective. 2. David's older brother Eliab responds with cynicism while David has a heart of faith that says "Doubt your doubts! Examine them". 3. Saul tells David, "You are not able" while Davids' heart of belief says, "God is able". 4. Goliath's response is defiant unbelief while David responds with courage.

Nabal refuses to help David and his men. David takes great offense to this and plans to kill Nabal and all his men. Abigail, Nabal's wife, hears of David's plan and she intercedes moving toward David with food, wine, and wise counsel. David recognizes God's presence in Abigail's words and responds with gratitude and humility for her discernment and willingness to speak truthfully to him. David gets clarity from Abigail's counsel and calls off the battle.

In 1 Samuel 18 we're told that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David. Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life. This is Jesus' way - to love. Jesus calls us is to demonstrate God's love to others in the same way that Jonathan loved David. We'll see what it looks like - evidence for and areas to grow in having and sustaining deeper, satisfying, intimate love relationships with one another.

David is on the run from Saul and finds refuge in a cave. Many people joined him there. We'll look at similarities of how hurting people were drawn to David in the same way that hurting people are drawn to Jesus as well as the Church.

David wants to build a temple for the Lord. God is actually okay with living in a tent and instead says He's in David's corner, protecting him, helping him to do everything that he's doing & blessing him. God reminds David of how far He's brought him from being a shepherd to being King over Israel. Then the verb tense changes and we see 10 times, the "I will" promises of God to David. This is a message for all the nations - forever and a promise made complete in Christ.

David wants to know if there is anyone alive from Saul's family who he can show kindness to, for Jonathan's sake. Saul's servant Ziba tells David about Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth who is alive but crippled. David sends for Mephibosheth and tells him not to be afraid, that his Grandfather Saul's property belongs to him and that he will now sit at the Kings table. David shows compassion, generosity, and kindness to Mephibosheth.

David and Bathsheba commit adultery. Nathan confronts David about his sin and David has a repentant heart. David finds freedom in God's grace