The Old Testament is full of shadows and types of foretelling about Jesus Christ through situations and people. Many people had a temporary filling with the Holy Spirit, like Joseph, Joshua, Samson, and even ordinary men like craftsmen. David was filled with the Holy Spirit long before he became king, and the Holy Spirit stayed with him throughout his life. I’d like to share my thoughts about King David with you.

What caught my attention about David is that he foreshadowed the Christian life, showing us how to interact with God daily, fellowship, praise, and rely on Him. I hope you will also receive it, as I feel it in my heart. May it open our eyes to the plans and powers God has for us. Can you imagine a world full of little Davids? What a testimony to God!

David walked with God; he was a mighty warrior, hero, overcomer, stumbler, and lover of God. The Psalms he wrote are admired by all and used for comfort and praise. Perhaps we see David as a man way above our abilities, set apart from the rest of humanity, like Moses, Abraham, Mary, or John. Have you ever thought that these people were not born any different than you and me, having the same Spirit of God on their side to fulfill God’s plans and being nothing without God? Probably not, and it is not widely taught either.

Could God want us all to be more like David, not in ruling nations but influencing where God has placed us? He has empowered us to do so through His precious gift to us, the Holy Spirit. I also believe God would delight in us singing and writing our own Psalms to Him. Don’t feel like a poet, singer, or writer? You don’t have to; it doesn’t have to be pretty in our own eyes or others, but just in God’s! Shout for joy and lift your voice because God is for you; He provides, He delivers, and He heals! Psalm 59:16

So, let’s look at the life of David as if it was a manual for today.

1 Samuel 17

As I start with Chapter 17, my first thought is, ahh, the story of Goliath will probably not bring much; it has been preached dead by now. I was surprised as I started reading, and God took me on a new journey through the Scriptures. I want to share my new insights with you and hope you can follow along as I look at David’s life through a new lens.

The Christian Power Walk

“For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26

David is upset about the injustice taking place against his God. The fear of the Lord and the Holy Spirit at his side make him speak up. When someone speaks in disrespect of your loved ones, may it be a friend or family, your anger may be aroused. In this case, it’s holy anger, just as when Jesus turned over the tables in the temple. Holy anger is aroused with a healthy amount of the fear of the Lord. Do you love Him? Does He have your integrity? Do you speak up on His behalf, no matter the circumstances?

Society has taught us to be tolerant and loving. It is precisely this silence that kills God’s reputation! We need to speak up where speaking up is necessary for Him and others!

Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.” 1 Samuel 17:28

Eliab, David’s brother, speaks his own heart, and to mind comes Matthew 7:2, the way you judge you will be judged. David’s response is humble but not timid. He continues with what he believes in. How could you do that to me? How could you think that of me….? Isn’t that how we often respond to insults? Not so David; he kept right on going, and so should we! If God is for us, who can be against us? How often do we allow the enemy to use someone against us to stop our doings and then get sidetracked?

Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God. 1 Samuel 17:36

Recall the victories you had through God for your own faith boost and for others to hear about it. David was confident in his actions because he knew God was on his side. 1 Samuel 16:13 Having God on his side, he did not need to come up with his own battle plans; he always looked to God first and asked for directions - more about this in chapter 23.

How do I know if God is with me? I surrendered my life to Him. I talk to Him daily. I ask for directions and provisions. I seek Him in the Word. And - I hear from Him. Summed up, I abide in Him, and He is in me, which guarantees His care and provision. Isaiah 46:4, John 15:7, Proverbs 16:3, and so many more.

David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off. 1 Samuel 17:39

Saul, the king, advises David and stuffs him in his armor garments. He probably meant good, as so many people do. David responds, “I can’t go with these, for I have not tested them.” We should be open to advice, and people, especially older ones, have much experience to share. Do not necessarily take advice from a person of the world, even though God can use them, as He even used a donkey. Be open to listening, but always check back with the Holy Spirit. The enemy will likely try to make you trip by carrying too many unnecessary weapons, sometimes even suggested by the good means of people. Our battle is not against the flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness (Gal. 6).

The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 1 Samuel 17:43

People dislike, hate, and curse us – it doesn’t matter! Again, with God on our side, who can stand against us? Don’t be intimidated by loudness, and don’t be offended by a friend. If it goes as far as a curse, know it won’t be able to touch you more than the breeze of a bird flying over. It’s good to quote Proverbs 26:2 to break any oncoming attack when in that situation.

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. 1 Samuel 17:45

When you know that God sends you, proclaim it! David boldly lets everybody know he is coming in the name of the Lord of Hosts. There’s just something about it when God tells you to do something, and it makes you come alive with unstoppable zeal. Don’t have the boldness to say it? Maybe you’re not sent by God. Perhaps it would be better to reconsider the situation and actions you were about to take. This is by no means to be taken as condemnation, but in love, I say, take it as a reality check. Let’s try to walk closer to God and involve the Spirit of God, our leader and guide, in all our moves!

This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 1 Samuel 17:46

Oh, it gives me chills reading this. “That all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! And again, speak it! Do not leave out any opportunity!

And that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands. 1 Samuel 17:47

How about this one? “That all may know that the battle is the Lord’s.” Let’s think for a moment about praying for a person at Walmart. Can we say/pray those words boldly that maybe the person walking by may hear? We could if we believe that God hears us and that He is answering our prayer right now. It could be such a testimony of God’s goodness, love, and grace! How would we know that He would do it? Of course, by being led by the Spirit. If He points us to a specific person, we can be sure He is ready to move. We must be hungry to be led by His Spirit at all times, tune in to Him more, and tune out more of other influences. Of course, it’s all right to pray for people out of true compassion without the leading of the Holy Spirit but ask yourself why it is a quiet, hidden prayer when spoken in public.

Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent. 1 Samuel 17:54

David could have easily gotten excited, swirling around Goliath’s sword in victory, but he didn’t. It was by God’s might, not by his own. Such an action could have been easily misunderstood. The Word tells us that he took Goliath’s head to Jerusalem but put his weapons in his tent. Don’t be showing off on your behalf.

1 Samuel 18

Beware of the Little Foxes

In this chapter, we see more about what’s coming against David, more than just actions. It shows us that we need to be cautious not to fall into the same trap and to recognize it in others.

In just one chapter, we see Saul's increasing animosity towards David. I highlighted the steps.

1 Samuel 18:8

FOR THIS SAYING DISPLEASED HIM - Jealousy overcame Saul because he publicly was set lower than David when the women sang praises to David (1 Samuel 18:7)

1 Samuel 18:9

SAUL LOOKED AT DAVID WITH SUSPICION from that day on – Looking through an evil filter

1 Samuel 18:10

on the next day AN EVIL SPIRIT from God CAME MIGHTILY UPON SAUL - Being under the influence

1 Samuel 18:12

NOW SAUL WAS AFRAID OF DAVID - A spirit of fear takes over

1 Samuel 18:15

When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he DREADED HIM – His anxiety grows

1 Samuel 18:17

BUT LET THE HAND OF THE PHILISTINES BE AGAINST HIM - Thoughts of murder

David Abides in the Lord

As Saul’s ill will towards David rises, David continues to prosper. Do we ever get tangled up by people who don’t treat us right? Do we even blame them for our failures? There’s a cure for that; let’s keep our eyes on Jesus!

David was prospering in all his ways for the Lord was with him. 1 Samuel 18:14

David behaved wisely because the Lord was with him, continually being one-on-one with Him. God was with him because David was His child, His delight, His tool, and His humble servant! God gives abundantly to him who walks closely. Yes, David was continuously given more wisdom and learned more about God, prospering here not in the material but in the spiritual way. Psalm 1:2, Proverbs 8:34, James 1:12, and on and on throughout His Word.

Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed. 1 Samuel 18:30

David behaved himself more wisely than all. This reminds me of Colossians 3:16, which says to act with ALL the wisdom God has provided for you - not your wisdom, not your experience, not your logic, but His wisdom! In all you do, seek His counsel.

1 Samuel 19

Under His Wings

Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to death. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, greatly delighted in David. 1 Samuel 19:1

Jonathan greatly delighted in David. Saul had told Jonathan to kill David, but he disobeyed his father. He acted against the law, not obeying and honoring his father because there was a more significant law, the law of love and truth. It is the same for us today: the law of our residency stands, but if it works against God’s command, it needs to be overruled.

In 1Sam. 18:1 the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. That sounds like a divine appointment! My thoughts on the subject are without any scriptural proof: Could it be that God knitted those two souls together because He already knew the evil schemes of Saul? God knew the future king needed guidance on his way to the throne. Sometimes, we run into people, and without having spoken a word, we know that we want to know them better, and it often turns into great intimate relationships. I wonder how often God sets up those divine appointments, and perhaps if we were more attuned to Him, we would marry Mr./Mrs. Right, and there wouldn’t be so many divorces and broken families.

Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, so that he stuck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. 1 Samuel 19:10

(Thought about present situations:

There was an evil spirit. Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear. I have it in my heart to believe that the enemy uses people to kill people today more than ever. All the mass killings that we have lately point towards it. The killer is so deceived, listening to the voice of satan, till he believes it is his own thoughts and plans and proceeds. I think it is not necessary to escape the penalty that the killer executes himself but that his eyes are opened to the truth of his actions after the enemy gets his will done and departs. The individual is overwhelmed and only knows one way out of what he’s done.)

Then Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied. 21 When it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. So Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. 22 Then he himself went to Ramah and came as far as the large well that is in Secu; and he asked and said, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.” 23 He proceeded there to Naioth in Ramah; and the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying continually until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 1 Samuel 19:20-23

David fled the madness of Saul and reached out for help to Samuel; God’s banner is over them. Saul sends out three groups of messengers to capture David, and they all fall under the Spirit of God when they see the prophets around David prophesizing, as we would call it today. Saul himself goes to get the job done, but he is also taken by the Spirit of God and prophesizes even before he gets there and sees them in person.

He also stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 1 Samuel 19:24

The king stripped of his clothes, lay down naked, and that all that day and night. Wow, talk about worship! Lay down your pomp in the presence of the Lord, and don’t worry about the mascara running or feeling too masculine to cry. When God is in the house, nothing else matters! If something else still matters, you need to realize that the fear of man is stronger in you than the fear of the Lord.

1 Samuel 20

A Covenant before God

1 Samuel 21

David Lies

2 David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’

Yep, he lied! The king didn’t commission him to go. How is that justifiable? I can only think of one other justifiable lie in the Old Testament, which came from Rehab in Joshua 2. It was for a divine purpose. Rehab did not lie for her own advantage, but with this lie, she did rather put her life at stake so the spies could have their lives. These spies were on a divine mission, and perhaps David was in the same shoes. I will not take sides here, but when David later on sins, he has to pay the penalty. In a way, he also pays the penalty here because he has to live with the slaughter he caused later in this chapter. See 1 Samuel 22:18-19

David is living as if Christ had already died

4 The priest answered David and said, “There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.” 5 David answered the priest and said to him, “Surely women have been kept from us as previously when I set out and the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was an ordinary journey; how much more then today will their vessels be holy?” 6 So the priest gave him consecrated bread; for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence which was removed from before the Lord, in order to put hot bread in its place when it was taken away.

‘The Simplicity of the Holy Place’ has more on the subject of the Holy of Holies and the showbread. (Soon) For now, I will relate to the communion that we take today. We have to examine ourselves and come clean before God before taking the elements, or we may be unworthy of the bread and cup and bring judgment on ourselves. 1Cor. 11:27-29

13 So he disguised his sanity before them, and acted insanely in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down into his beard.

Seriously, acting like this is no different than a lie, and we all know (do we?) that liars don’t go to heaven. It’s one of the last statements Jesus made at the end of the Book in Rev. 22:15

We have to distinguish between self-serving lies and lies with a divine purpose. David is on a greater mission. He is a portrait of Christian life and also the bloodline of Christ. As a shadow and type of Christ, he broke the law on several occasions, living as if Christ had already died.

1 Samuel 22

18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn around and attack the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19 And he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants; also oxen, donkeys, and sheep he struck with the edge of the sword.

This is not about David’s life but the priest Ahimelech’s son. Eighty-five priests were killed, and a whole town was erased because of David’s lie. If your father was slain in that attack, how would you feel about David? Hate, bitterness, rage? Abiathar, son of the priest who helped, went to David and told him the news, stayed with him, and was under his protection from that day on. No word of vengeance was recorded. Let us be as gracious and loyal to our rulers and spiritual leaders as Abiathar was.

1 Samuel 23

Holy Spirit, our Counsel, and Guide

2 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah.” 3 But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?” 4 Then David inquired of the Lord once more. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.”

David asks the Lord for his every move because it’s the Lord’s battle! Even after his men voice concern about the plan, David returns, asks the Lord again, and does not put his own wisdom to work. How often do we ask before we move? Even if we have good intentions, on the second turn around after being sidetracked by others, do we go back before the Lord again before moving on? This is the secret to success and peace!

11 Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down just as Your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” 12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.”

This is another example of David turning his problems to the Lord, for He knows best. It would have probably been a good thing if he had reached out to God in the previous chapter, but he learned from it and was more concerned about his people this time.

Come to the Rock!

25 When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David, and he came down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon.

I don’t know about you, but this rings a big bell in me – being surrounded, David came to the rock! When we come to the Rock, Jesus being the Rock, God can take control of the situation and make it right. A messenger arrived with bad news, and Saul and his men left when David was close to being defeated. Our God reigns!

 (Thought about goats and sheep and the Rock

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 1 Sam. 24:2

Going to the Rock of Jesus is always a good thing and 100% helpful, but don’t go to the rock of goats because you could possibly lose your life. Goats and sheep in the Bible are pagans and believers.)

1 Samuel 24

David spares Saul’s life