Echoes of Time - Lesson 7 - David & Michal

David is a well-known type of the Lord Jesus,
especially in his role as King over Israel.
In Jewish thought, the Messiah was known as the ‘Son of David’
and this is firmly established in the New Testament in various passages.

In fact the last description of Jesus in the Bible is in Revelation,
where Jesus Himself declares that He is a descendant of David.


Revelation 22: 16, ‘I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.’


Last week’s Pastor’s Desk posed a question to us.
If the Lord asked ‘What have you done for Me lately?’
How would we answer?


Revelation 22:12, ‘Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.’


We know we are not worthy,
How would the Lord talk to others about us?
Would He brag about us to others?
Like He did of Job to satan.
‘Have you checked out Job?’

Or would He have to apologize for us?
‘I know he keeps doing the same wrong things over and over,
he’s only been saved for 10 years…’


David was strengthened by past experiences

He didn’t allow himself to be crippled by his past
As we sometimes allow.
I believe he knew that the enemy could not judge him
He would only allow himself to be judged by God.

David was able to step out against the enemy
because he had learned from previous experiences and trials.


I Samuel 17:33-37, ‘And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou [art but] a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.’

Do you wish you were as confident as David in trusting?





David had fought the lion and the bear when they had come against his flock.
So the Lord Jesus had to learn from the things He suffered.


Hebrews 5:8, ‘Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;’

Are we learning from the past or are we doing the same things over and over?





Why do we allow ourselves to be crippled by the past?
Apart from us beating ourselves up over and over,
We find it to hard to believe that God truly forgave us.
I also believe that some times people help us remember our shortcomings.
They remind us of the past that we have given to the Lord.


David was rejected by his brothers

I Samuel 17:28, ‘And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.’

Last week we spoke about a prophet not being recognized in his own nation.
How do you feel when you get treated like this?





Even though David would prove to be Israel’s saviour,
he certainly didn’t get much encouragement from his brothers.
The same was true for Jesus.
He was even rejected by those closest to him.

John 7:5, ‘For neither did his brethren believe in him.’

Why do we expect to be treated differently?





How did his wife Michal treat him?
Michal rebukes him for his religious enthusiasm

2 Samuel 6:16,20, ‘And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart... Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!’

Let’s see how David reacted

2 Samuel 6:21-23, ‘And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.’


David was spiritually led

I Kings 15:5, ‘Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.’

We know the good of David,
What can we learn from the bad?

Yielded to sins in a period of ease.
Things were going smoothly for a while.
It’s easy to trust God during the tough times
When we are in a storm,
When we are in a fiery oven,
What about during the good times?

2 Samuel 11:2-5, ‘And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman [was] very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And [one] said, [Is] not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I [am] with child.’

Do you think this was an accident?
‘But it just happened.’

Or do you think he knew when she would be bathing?





His repentance and confession

Psalm 51:1-6, ‘To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.>> Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.’

How do we ask for forgiveness?
Do we ask for forgiveness knowing we will do the same thing tomorrow?
Or do we ask for wisdom to be stronger tomorrow?





Prospered of God

2 Samuel 5:10, ‘And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.’

1 Chronicles 11:9, ‘So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.’


Discreetness of David

Some synonyms fot the word discreet:
tactful, cautious, careful., diplomatic and prudent.

1 Samuel 18:14,30, ‘And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him... Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.’

Would anyone want to follow us?
Why should our wives listen to us?
Why should our children listen to us?
Would anyone want to follow us?


In conclusion

It must be said – David’s following was a messed up bunch.
Yet he became their captain and their leader,
and turned pretty ordinary men into awesome men of valor and deed.

David didn’t need their ability,
but he did need their commitment and availability.

The same is true with Jesus!
He has a habit of choosing ordinary men and women
to do extra-ordinary things.

Not because we are gifted or strong in ourselves,
but because Jesus Himself is the one who will teach,
lead and empower us for that which He calls us to.

Following David meant associating themselves with one who wasn’t popular.
It meant trials, and hardship, yet once David came into his kingdom,
it was all completely worth it!

And so it is with us.
How strange it can be to live in a world while following a different king!
A King who is the rightful ruler,
yet one who has not yet come to take possession of His kingdom.

Yet we know, like David’s men,
the rightful king will one day come into His kingdom
and on that day we shall be rewarded for our service.

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