David, Israel's Second King

    During King Saul’s reign, the terrible Philistine army challenged the Israelites to a battle. It was to be a different sort of battle, though. One man, a giant named Goliath, shouted across the battle line to the army of Israel, “Send one of your men out to fight me. Whoever prevails over the other will be the victor of this battle. The one who loses will serve the other.” In other words, Israel might have to serve the Philistines.

     The Israelites were afraid. What man in their nation could confront such a large man and be victorious? The giant was nine feet tall, and his body was covered with heavy armor. His spear was much longer than most. Every day the giant called out to the Israelites, “Send out your man!”

     One day when the giant was taunting the Israelites, David happened to be in the camp visiting his older brothers. Although David had been anointed as Israel’s next king, he was too young to be in the army. He stayed home and watched his father’s sheep while his older brothers went out to battle. When he heard the giant’s challenge, though, David said he would go up against the giant just as he had fought the bear and lion that threatened his father’s flocks. David believed the Lord would deliver the giant into his hands as He had spared him from the wild animals.

     Can you imagine the surprise of the arrogant, cruel Philistines when the young shepherd boy David killed the giant with his sling and a smooth stone from the brook?

     After David became king he took Bathsheba, another man’s wife, and committed a terrible sin with her. When she told David that she was expecting his child, he had her husband killed. God was so disappointed with David. He sent His prophet to talk with David about the matter. David acknowledged his wickedness. He was truly sorry for what he had done. David had a good heart. That is often the difference in people. Some individuals are hardhearted and refuse to be touched with God’s word. God loved David’s good heart – his good attitude.

     The Lord told David that He would spare David’s life since he had repented of his wrong, but his and Bathsheba’s baby would die. David suffered much heartbreak during his life. The loss of that baby, deaths of close friends, and the rebellion of his own son, Absalom, caused the great king much sadness.