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Alpharic Research Institute

Centre for Research in Philosophy, Theology and
Ethics
Email: alpharicinstitute@gmail.com 09066927954

MESSIANIC ROLE OF (BIBLICAL) KING DAVID

BY
GODSWILL OME UFERE
Email: uferegodswillmatthias@gmail.com, godswillmatthias99@gmail.com; __GSM: +2347045155575
MAY, 2021

King David who was a shepherd boy became God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts
Israel’s third and most important king. He is 13:22). Though, David was far from perfect,
the most frequently mentioned human in the but his faith and zeal made him the standard
Old Testament, and the second most against which all Israel’s future kings would
frequently mentioned human in the entire be measured against. David was from the tribe
Bible. He is a main character in the Old of Judah. The 12 tribes of Israel descended
Testament books of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 from Jacob’s 12 sons, and with the exception
Chronicles, and 2 Chronicles. He is also of Levi, each tribe controlled a specific
mentioned in several other books, and nearly territory within the nation of Israel. Judah was
half of the Psalms are attributed to him. the son who “prevailed over his brothers” (1
Today, David is most famous for being the Chronicles 5:2), and while Saul—Israel’s first
boy who defeated a giant with a slingshot. In king—was from the tribe of Benjamin, Judah
fact, the famous narrative of “David and became the tribe of kings. Judah’s territory
Goliath” has been so prolific in literature, art, included the city of Jerusalem. When David
and culture that it has become a common trope became king, he established Jerusalem as the
for describing other stories about underdogs nation’s capital and God’s headquarters,
(Hiesberger 289). permanently altering Judah’s importance in
Jewish life and culture. David’s line ruled in
But what makes David such a significant
Jerusalem for about 400 years, until King
biblical figure with messianic role is his role
Nebuchadnezzar captured the city and broke
in establishing God’s earthly headquarters in
the line of kings (Hess and Carroll 36-37).
Jerusalem. David is described as a man after
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Redemption ran in his family. Over the course over his inheritance?’ —1 Samuel 10:1. Years
of his life, David was frequently the vehicle later, when Saul disobeyed God, God rejected
God used to display his compassion and him as king (1 Samuel 15:26). And it was time
redeem his people. After his death, he became for God to choose someone else. So he sent
a symbol of God’s unique relationship with Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem, telling him “I
Israel and the redemption that was still to have chosen one of his sons to be king” (1
come. It is established from the book of Ruth Samuel 16:1). Samuel thought he would know
that David is directly descended from Ruth whom God had chosen by their appearance,
and Boaz. Several passages record his lineage, and assumed the oldest, Eliab, was clearly the
and they all point out that he was the son of chosen one: “When they arrived, Samuel saw
Jesse, who was the son of Obed, who was the Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed
son of Boaz and Ruth—making him the great stands here before the Lord.’” —1 Samuel
grandson of this significant couple (1 16:6 (Hiesberger 289).
Chronicles 2:12) (Hess and Carroll 59).
However, God told Samuel that he does not
Today, most people associate the little town of use the same factors as people when it comes
Bethlehem with the birth of Jesus. But to choosing kings: “‘Do not consider his
centuries before Jesus, another saviour came appearance or his height, for I have rejected
from this unassuming town. The Gospel of him. The Lord does not look at the things
Luke refers to Bethlehem as “the town of people look at. People look at the outward
David” (Luke 2:4), because it was well-known appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”
that this was David’s old stomping grounds, —1 Samuel 16:7
and it was where Samuel anointed him king of
Earlier, Samuel had prophesied to Saul, “the
God’s people.
Lord has sought out a man after his own heart
In the Bible, God’s anointed one was the and appointed him ruler of his people, because
person he chose to lead and save his people. you have not kept the Lord’s command” (1
When the Israelites wanted a human king, the Samuel 13:14). And when Samuel laid eyes
prophet, Samuel, anointed Saul to show that upon Jesse’s youngest son, the shepherd,
God had set him apart for this special role: David, the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him;
“Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and this is the one.” When Samuel anointed David,
poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, it did not instantly make him king, but it did
saying, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you ruler signal that he was the Lord’s chosen one, and
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“from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came The Lord who rescued me from the
powerfully upon David” (1 Samuel 16:13). paw of the lion and the paw of the bear
will rescue me from the hand of this
David’s Shepherding Skills
Philistine.” —1 Samuel 17:34–37.
Before David was a king, David was a
In his confrontation with Goliath, David
shepherd. This was why he wasn’t with his
would care for Yahweh’s flock—the people of
brothers when Samuel came to anoint the next
Israel—and once again defend “his father’s
king (1 Samuel 16:11). And when the
sheep” from harm. This time, the Lord would
Philistines (and Goliath) invaded, David was
rescue him from a foe that Saul and his entire
torn between his duties as Saul’s musician and
army were terrified of (1 Samuel 17:11).
his responsibilities for tending his father’s
Later, David used his experience as a
sheep (1 Samuel 17:15). As a shepherd, David
shepherd to create one of the most powerful
did not merely feed and lead his father’s
portrayals of God’s relationship with his
sheep. While a shepherd may seem like an
people, foreshadowing “the good shepherd”
inconsequential position, it was still
(Richard n.pg).
dangerous. David killed bears and lions alike
to defend his father’s sheep (this messianic— David Musical Skills
saving). In fact, David cites his experience as
Many years before Samuel anointed David
a shepherd to convince Saul why he can defeat
and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him,
Goliath:
Samuel anointed Saul, and the Spirit of the
“Your servant has been keeping his Lord came upon Saul (1 Samuel 10:1–6).
father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear When David was anointed, the Spirit of the
came and carried off a sheep from the Lord left Saul, and an evil spirit began to
flock, I went after it, struck it and torment him (1 Samuel 16:14). Saul’s servants
rescued the sheep from its mouth. believed a musician would help soothe Saul
When it turned on me, I seized it by its whenever the spirit came to torment him. And
hair, struck it and killed it. Your it just so happened that David was a talented
servant has killed both the lion and the musician. So Saul had him brought in, and
bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will made him one of his armor-bearers; the music
be like one of them, because he has played by David made Saul to be relieved of
defied the armies of the living God. the evil spirit that tormented him, because,
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“Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, Goliath mocked him and cursed him. And
David would take up his lyre and play. Then then David famously replied:
relief would come to Saul; he would feel
“You come against me with sword and
better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” —
spear and javelin, but I come against
1 Samuel 16:23. From this point on, David’s
you in the name of the Lord Almighty,
duties were divided between watching his
the God of the armies of Israel, whom
father’s sheep and playing music for the king
you have defied. This day the Lord will
(Richard 23).
deliver you into my hands, and I’ll
David Slaying of Giant strike you down and cut off your head.
This very day I will give the carcasses
Perhaps David’s biggest claim to fame was his
of the Philistine army to the birds and
legendary showdown with the Philistine giant,
the wild animals, and the whole world
Goliath. The Israelite and Philistine armies
will know that there is a God in Israel.
lined up on opposing hills, Goliath taunted the
All those gathered here will know that
Israelites and challenged them to decide the
it is not by sword or spear that the Lord
battle with a duel: him against one of them (1
saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and
Samuel 17:8-11). Nobody wanted to take him
he will give all of you into our hands.”
up on the offer. But David came to the
Israelite camp to play music for Saul, and he David killed Goliath with a single stone,
heard Goliath’s taunts. He also overheard the hurled from his sling. He beheaded Goliath
Israelites talking about what Saul would give and took his weapons as trophies. The story of
to the person who defeated Goliath (1 Samuel David and Goliath has been told so many
17:23-27). Goliath was not just taunting the times through literature and art that David,
Israelites. He was defying God himself on Goliath, and their confrontation have all
God’s own turf. Every day Israel declined become cliched symbols for underdogs, brutal
Goliath’s challenge, they conceded that their antagonists, and stories of overcoming
God was no match for the gods of the impossible odds (Richard 24). But in the
Philistines. David wasn’t going to let this go Bible, this is not an underdog story. It’s a
on any longer. After convincing Saul to let story of faith. David’s faith would become one
him challenge Goliath, David chose five of his defining characteristics, and it led him
stones and went out to meet him. to overcome countless enemies after Goliath.
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David as a Great Warrior Despite being anointed to rule God’s people,

David had a long and arduous path to
Defeating Goliath marked the beginning of
kingship. Even after Saul died in combat,
David’s life as a warrior. Wherever Saul sent
those loyal to him were not just going to hand
David, God went with him, and he was
over the kingdom to David. Remember, Saul
successful. And the more successful David
was anointed, too. And David had been living
became, the more responsibility Saul gave
with and fighting for the Philistines—the
him: “Whatever mission Saul sent him on,
Israelites sworn enemies. When Saul died, the
David was so successful that Saul gave him a
tribe of Judah anointed David as their king (2
high rank in the army. This pleased all the
Samuel 2:4), but Abner son of Ner, the
troops, and Saul’s officers as well.” —1
commander of Saul’s army, made Saul’s son
Samuel 18:5
Ish-bosheth king over all Israel. So there were
But then people started to see David as greater two kings and two kingdoms in Israel, but
than Saul. After the Israelites defeated the only David was God’s chosen one.
Philistines. Understandably, this made Saul
Unfortunately for Ish-bosheth, his reign was
feel threatened by David. As David’s fame as
short-lived. And while he and Abner were at
a warrior grew, Saul feared him more and
war with David the whole time he was in
more. This fear led Saul to drive away his
power, Ish-bosheth didn’t die by David’s
greatest asset. He attempted to kill David on
hand. Both Ish-bosheth and Abner were
multiple occasions, and became his constant
murdered. Abner was murdered out of
enemy. After Saul died in battle with the
revenge, and David cursed his killers and
Philistines, David warred against Saul’s
mourned his death. Ish-bosheth was murdered
commander Abner, and Saul’s last son, Ish-
by Israelites who seemed to be trying to earn
Bosheth, whom Abner had made king of
David’s favor. When they came to David with
Israel. Eventually, David became king (more
their “good news,” he had them executed for
on how that happened in a moment), and
their crime. With Saul’s family out of the
continued his legacy as a great warrior
picture, Israel’s elders met with David and
(Richard 26).
anointed him king over all of Israel when he
was thirty years old (2 Samuel 5:3-4) (Richard
27).
David as Israel’s Greatest King
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During Saul’s reign, Jerusalem was captured, married King Saul's daughter and
and the Ark of the Covenant was in Judah. became a hero in Saul's army (1 Sam
16:1-13; 17:1-58; 18:20-30).
When David became king, he retook the
 David became King of Judah and then
fortress of Zion (which became known as the King of the united 12 tribes of Israel (2
City of David), conquered Jerusalem, and Sam 2:4).
 David conquered Jerusalem (2 Sam 5).
returned the Ark to the city. As king of Israel,
David won numerous battles and made Israel a  David brought the Ark of the Covenant
formidable nation, expanding its territory and to Jerusalem (2 Sam 5:7; 1 Chr 15:25-
military might, all while pointing his people to 16:3).
 God made a covenant with David
God.
promising that his throne will last
forever (2 Samuel 7:16; 23:5).
David United the Kingdom
 David defeated the Philistines (2 Sam
Through David’s anointed leadership and 8:1).
 David defeated Moab, Ammon and
victory over his enemies, all the tribes of
Syria bringing lasting peace to Israel (2
Israel were forged into one united, mighty Samuel 8:2-10:19).
nation. The nation established its borders from David himself is the king installed by God on
the River Euphrates in the north, to the Red Zion and is, at the same time, the prayer who
Sea in the south. The ten northern tribes of the in Psalms 72 invokes righteous rule for his
Kingdom of Israel rejected Solomon’s son as successor. This understanding is suggested by
king, and instead chose someone outside the the psalm’s superscript (“Of Solomon”) and
tribe of Judah, Jeroboam, and formed the by the notice that closes the second book
northern Kingdom of Israel. The kings of (“The prayers of David son of Jesse are
Judah served as political heads and also as ended” Ps 72:20). With this remark the Psalter
intermediaries between God and the nation, now leaves behind the perspective of the
with David’s heart for God and anointed “historical” David (Wasckhe 7). Overall, the
leadership setting the standard. David hopes connected to David in the Psalter have
understood that God was the real king of the same purpose as the royal texts in the
Israel (Richard 30). prophetic books. The primary difference is
that with the prophets these hopes are
Hunt pointed the following:
addressed to Israel as divine promises,
 God anointed David king of Israel when whereby in the Psalter Israel reflects and
he was a boy. He defeated Goliath, meditates upon the promises in prayer.
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David plotted to have Uriah killed

CHALLENGES OF KING DAVID
David killed a lot of people in battle. He killed
David committed adultery with Bathsheba a lot of prisoners after battles. And he
executed plenty of criminals. But one killing
When his armies were out waging war without
in particular “displeased the Lord” (2 Samuel
him, David walked along the roof of his
11:27). When David could not get Uriah to
palace and saw a beautiful woman bathing. He
sleep with his wife Bathsheba (and therefore
sent someone to find out about her, and
conceal David’s adultery), he plotted to have
learned she was married to Uriah the Hittite—
Uriah killed in combat. In the morning David
one of his best soldiers (2 Samuel 23:39). The
wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In
Torah had a thing or two to say about adultery
it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the
(Leviticus 18:20, Deuteronomy 5:18, Exodus
fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him
20:14), and it was punishable by death
so he will be struck down and die. So while
(Deuteronomy 22:22, Leviticus 20:10). David
Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a
knew all that, but he sent for her anyways,
place where he knew the strongest defenders
slept with her, and got her pregnant (2 Samuel
were. When the men of the city came out and
11:4-5). When David learned she was
fought against Joab, some of the men in
pregnant, he hatched a scheme to hide his sin:
David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite
since her husband Uriah was away at war,
died.” —2 Samuel 11:14-17. In order to have
David had him brought back home. If Uriah
Uriah killed in battle, Joab had to sacrifice
slept with her, then no one could say he was
some of David’s other men, and Joab feared
the one who got her pregnant. But it did not
David would be angry for the waste (2 Samuel
work out that way. After David’s repeated
11:20). But David was rather indifferent. The
attempts to get Uriah to spend time with his
lives of God’s people were simply collateral
wife, Uriah told him: “The ark and Israel and
damage in David’s effort to cover up his sin.
Judah are staying in tents, and my commander
Once Uriah was dead and Bathsheba had time
Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the
to mourn him, David married her, and she
open country. How could I go to my house to
gave birth to a son.
eat and drink and make love to my wife? As
surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” Later, the prophet Nathan rebuked David for
—2 Samuel 11:11. So, to hide his sin, David his sin. Nathan told a story about a rich man
committed another one. who stole a prized lamb from a poor man.
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David condemned the man in the story, live the life of an outlaw until Saul's
unaware that it was a metaphor for what he’d death (1 Sam 19:11; 21:11/19-25:1).
done to Uriah with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-  David committed adultery with
10). Nathan told David that “the Lord has Bathsheba who became pregnant (2
taken away your sin” (2 Samuel 12:13), but he Sam 11:4-11:5).
also cursed him, and the son who came from  David arranged the death of Bathsheba's
David’s adultery died. David committed a husband Uriah (2 Sam 11:17).
grave sin. But after his encounter with Nathan,  David confessed and repented his sin
David wrote Psalm 51, which reflects his and God forgave him, but Bathsheba's
humility and sincere repentance for what he’d child died (2 Sam 12:10, 13, 19).
done.David was an imperfect messiah. To this,  David failed to discipline his sons. His
it is fitting that David is such a prominent son Amnon committed the sin of rape
figure in the Old Testament. Because as an and incest; he was murdered by David's
imperfect human, anointed by God to save and son Absalom (2 Sam 13:14-29).
rule his people, David lays the foundation for  David's son Absalom led a rebellion in
Jesus Christ—the only sinless human, whom an attempt to usurp David's throne (2
God would use to save and rule all of Sam 16-17).
humanity.  David's "beloved son" Absalom was

David’s Census murdered and David's throne was

restored. It was a bitter victory for a
The census incident was one of the incident
heart-broken father (2 Sam 18:14, 15).
David disobeyed the Lord. This man, who was
 David ignored Joab's advice and took a
so faithful to God in even the most adverse
national census (2 Sam 24:2-15). And
trials of faith and war, turned from seeking the
this David's unauthorized census
rewards of the King in Heaven to seeking the
resulted in a deadly plague which
rewards of being a king on earth.
infected the people (2 Sam 24:1-9; 15;
Hunt pointed the following to be the deeds of 1 Chr 21:7-17).
King David which make him to be reckoned
as being Messianic in the role:
WORKS CITED
 King Saul became jealous of David's
success. David was forced to flee and
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Richard, Dadd. Saul’s and David’s Life. Hess, Richard S. The Study of the Old
NCP: Warrens_Shaft, 1867. Print. Testament Character.Grand Rapids: Baker
Publishing Group, 2014. Electronic
Hunt, Michal E. “David, the King: His
Database.
Triumph and Failure.”
www.AgapeBibleStudy.com. Accessed 7 Waschke, Ernst-Joachim.The Significance of
April, 2021. the David Tradition for the Emergence of
Messianic Beliefs in the Old Testament. NCP:
Hess, Richard S. and Carroll R. M. Daniel
NPC, 2004. Electronic Database.
(eds.) Israel’s Messiah in the Bible and the
Dead Sea Scrolls.Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wilson, Ralph. Life of David.Discipleship
Baker Academic, 2003. Print. Lessons from the 1 and 2 Samuel.Electronic
Database.
Hiesberger, Jean. The Life of King
David.Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.
Print.