David The Stud

This is a tribute to David and how he basically defines awesome.

The Old Testament is filled with people who made God angry. Who turned from God. Who even insulted God. Even Israel, God's chosen nation, had a whole slew of kings who totally disregarded the LORD.

But not David. No. David was the ultimate leader. He set such an amazing example in so many ways that I wanted to take time to point out a few things.

Of course we have David's childhood. Defeating Goliath. Epic. Here is a guy who sees a problem, seeks strength from the LORD, then fixes it. Problem solved. I think a lot of Christians today need to take a lesson from David. Quit tip-toeing around issues and start solving them.

Then there was Saul. This dude hated David, even tried to kill him. Twice. Both times David had a chance to kill Saul. But didn't. He forgave Saul.

What a stud.

Then we get to David's kingship over Israel.

Not only does he bring the entire nation of God back together under one government, but he also brings back the Ark. Basically, David establishes God's nation of Israel into their home and makes them a stable nation. David also provides us with an example of worship as the Ark is brought into Jerusalem (this is where he sings my favorite Psalm...found in 1 Chronicles 16).

But what I really want to focus on is David's obedience. A common word used in stories of David is "inquire." David is constantly inquiring of God as to what he should do.

Literally, before he makes any major decision, he asks God what to do.

So here's a guy who's got it all. He is the most powerful man of the most powerful kingdom, and he is still asking the LORD what to do.

But it gets better!

David wants to build the temple. As per his custom, he first asks God about it, thinking that the answer is somewhat of a no-brainer (why wouldn't God want him to make a temple?). Even his obvious decisions are placed at the feet of God! Anyways, David asks God about it, and God says no.

Apparently David has shed too much blood to build the temple.

What does David do? He takes God's answer and obeys it! He starts to make preparations to build the temple, then tells his son Solomon that he will have to do it when he is King!

Of course David had his support system of friends to help him out (known as "David's Mighty Men". And of course David had his sins and sinful habbits (Bathsheba). However, David still provides us with an awesome example of what Christians should be like. Especially leaders.

And that's why David is a true Old Testament (and maybe the first) stud.