King of Israel. David - A Heart Like His: Intimate Reflections on the Life of David

A Heart Like His, Digital Edition

Based on Print Edition

A Heart Like His

1999, 2003, 2012 by Beth Moore

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-1-4336-7716-8

Published by B&H Publishing Group,

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: 222

Subject Heading: DAVID, KING OF ISRAEL:

MEDITATIONS / BIBLE STUDY

1999 hard back edition published with same title but different cover.

2003 hard back edition published with same title but different cover.

Unless otherwise stated all Scripture citation is from the NIV, the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Other versions cited are the NKJV, New King James Version, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers; NASB, the New American Standard Bible, the Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977; used by permission; RSV, Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted 1946, 1952, 1971, 1973; used by permission; KJV, the King James Version.

To those willing to walk any road on feet of clay to have a heart like His.

B eth Moore and I met as writer and editor doing the workbook version of A Heart Like His. When we finished the workbook in the spring of 1996, it was a part of a womens enrichment ministry. Beth immediately said she wanted me to do a version of the study for men because David should not be restricted to womens ministry. We agreed to pray and see what God would do. In October 1998 Broadman & Holman asked us to do the present volume. We are tremendously excited about what God has doneexceeding abundantly above all that we asked or thought (Eph. 3:20).

We pray that this volume will be an enrichment resource for those doing in-depth Bible study and that it will reach thousands who have not yet done the workbook. We encourage you to do the additional study in the workbook.

Beth: I am indebted to my editor and dear friend, Dale McCleskey, for taking the in-depth study I wrote by the same title and reformatting it into this book. His partnership in this work and many others is invaluable to me. Our earnest prayer is not so much that you meet David but that you meet Davids God. His refuge. His fortress. His strength. His deliverer. And share his passion. May God delve a little deeper into your heart with every turn of the page... and create within you a heart like His.

Dale: Beth Moore is a Bible teacher God has been using to reach vast numbers of women and men. I serve as an editor for LifeWay Christian Resources. One of the joys of studying the life of David appears in the relationship between Jonathan and David. They were two men who developed a special friendship because they shared a common commitment to God. From the moment we began to work together, Beth and I discovered a similar commitment. We share a passion for the Word of God and for peopleespecially for people with hurts.

We both believe deeply in the message of this book. We believe God is the author, so we have made no distinction between human authorsno he said, she said. We commend to you the wonderful message of Davidthe man who had a heart like His.

As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. (Gen. 17:4)

I am so excited that you are coming along on this excursion. The journey has all the romance, mystery, intrigue, love, betrayal, and majesty of the greatest epic. As you read, I believe your spirit will soar and your heart will break. You will climb to the heights of the most noble human emotions and behavior, and you will plummet with us to the depths of our sin nature. Pack your backpack, throw in a jar of peanut butter, and lets go.

Maybe it was the fact that David was his fathers last choice. Maybe it was his uncanny way with a harp... and a slingshot. Maybe it was his unwillingness to kill a madman because he feared God even more. Or surely it was his ability to dance down the streets of Jerusalem. Then again, perhaps it was his shocking humanity and the resulting suggestion that we cannot out-sin Gods ability to forgive. I cant quite put my finger on why an ancient shepherd boy-king so captured my imagination over and over. I simply like him. His story gives me hope and terrifies me into fresh reverence. I see so many things in him I wish I hadand so many others Im scared to death I do have.

All you need to relate to David is a membership to the human race. No matter how familiar you are with the biblical account of his life, I believe youll be stirred, shocked, amazed, and forced to think a few hard thoughts all over again. His story is proof once again that truth is far more intriguing than fiction.

Why study David? I believe he is extremely important for several reasons.

First, he was a man with a tremendous relationship with Godcalled a man after Gods own heart. His songs and poetry inspire us to worship. Since we believe that an intimate love relationship with God is the highest blessing possible in this life or the next, David is a worthy subject for our study.

Second, David simply merits our attention. He was a wondrously complex man. A musician and a warrior. He was capable of both the highest loyalty and the most base sin. In David we see the very best and the very worst in the human species. Getting to know David allows us to get to know ourselves.

A third reason to study David involves his relationship to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. In many ways David prefigures Christ. As we study David, we will come both to understand and to appreciate our Savior in new ways.

I believe strongly in a fourth reason to study David. Simply stated, hes in the Bible. You see, Bible study saved my life. I believe studying Gods Word has enormous life-enhancing value. In many different ways I have benefitted from spending time in Gods Word. As you read A Heart Like His, you will accomplish a detailed study of the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. You will also read portions of Psalms, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and many verses from other Old and New Testament books. I have written this book so that you can read it by itself, but I would encourage you to read the Scripture passages from your own Bible. The Scripture references for reading appear at the beginning of each chapter.

We will devote our entire study to answering practical questions about being a person after Gods own heart:

• How can a person be forgiven and restored after sin?
• How can a person continue to be faithful to God when nothing seems to be going his or her way?
• How can a person find God when he or she feels all alone?
• How important is Gods influence on the family?

On our journey, we will certainly discover insights into these and other questions. Until then, lets allow God to use our curiosity to keep us committed to our excursion through His Word.

So turn the page; its too good to miss.

Part I

SUMMONED FROM THE SHEEPFOLD

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his names sake.

4 Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me