THE HEROISM OF KING DAVID

     Throughout his short life, David demonstrated a level of gallantry never seen—before or since. This perfection of character is seen in our LORD’S personal compliment of His servant David: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22. In these words we today can be encouraged, because after all of David’s failings and sins, his heart stood fast to the calling of GOD, and through the righteousness of Christ his sins were all overcome, and thus, the Spirit of the LORD remained in his soul, as he fervently prayed at those times of failing the heavenly standard: "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." Ps.51:11. David well knew the benevolence of GOD to see him through every trial, every affliction, and every wrong decision that cost the innocent lives of others.

     After defeating the warrior, Goliath, who stood well over nine feet in height, David was severely tested for not only his survival but also to maintain his close communion with GOD who had seen him through much heartache, anguish and every conceivable threat to his soul.

     Throughout the many battles David undertook, wherever his men were most vulnerable to lose their lives, David rushed into the fray to deliver them from the hands of the enemy, (just as Jesus, who entered the thick of battle for the life of man, and has defeated our supreme enemy, Satan, and has delivered us from the curse of sin.)

     David’s faith in GOD’S power to give victory to the righteous in heart inspired those around him to do some great feats for the glory of the LORD. As it is written:

“These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.” II Sam.23:8-12.

     But after many years the day came when David’s life-force had diminished and his strength in battle was drawing to its close. In his last battle, in his usual gallantry of taking on the most threatening of the enemy, he nearly lost his life. But the LORD spared him: “Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.” II Sam.21:15-17.

     Later in life, David was dishonored by two of his sons, Absalom and Adonijah, and was even threatened with death by Absalom, who sought to slay his own father to gain the throne. GOD intervened for David—the son He loved. The LORD raised up the one son of David who would become the wisest man (sinner) to ever walk the face of the Earth: Solomon. Although Solomon was the son of Bathsheba, with whom David had committed adultery, and slew her husband, Uriah the Hittite, and was viewed as an outsider to the inheritance of the throne of David, GOD overruled on Solomon’s behalf, as it is written: “the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.” The LORD upheld His own admonition to the children of Israel: “The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Eze.18:20.

     This tremendous blessing that came to Solomon was also due to his tender heart to the Spirit of GOD, which drew from his heart a simple, precious, and benevolent prayer: “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” I Ki.3:5-14.

     This promise given to Solomon, the son of David has produced three books for us to learn from today: Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; and Song of Solomon. In these are found every lesson of salvation encapsulated in the most-simple terms. And each of these lessons is reinforced elsewhere throughout the Scriptures with their many examples. In every verse, proverb and passage of Solomon there is a corresponding testimony in both the timeless lessons of the Old Testament, and those of the New.