Excerpt from David The Greatest of the Kings of Israel from Thompson Chain Outline Study Series By Thompson, Frank Charles; Jauchen, John Stephen

4296—David, the Greatest of the Kings of Israel

I. His Place in History. 

He is one of the most prominent figures in the history of the world; a mountain peak among the Bible characters. He is the most famous ancestor of Christ. Jesus is not called the Son of Abraham or the Son of Jacob, but the Son of David. 

II. His Real Character. 

His life was a strange mixture of good and evil. It was filled with noble deeds, fine aspirations, and splendid accomplishments; yet it was stained with gross sins. 

No Bible character more fully illustrates the moral range of human nature. 

It seems impossible to conceive that the man who wrote the twenty-third Psalm could commit the sin that David did against Uriah, the Hittite. But the spirit of the times in which he lived must be considered as well as the temptation connected with unlimited power. 

In the early period of his life David is mentioned as a man after God’s own heart, 1 Samuel 1 Samuel 13:14. This was true only when he kept the divine commandments. It may be said to his credit that he never became an idolator and that he was loyal to the Lord in his testimony and worship. 

The fact that the general trend of his life was eminently religious and spiritual, if not always consistent, together with his great genius, accounts for the very high place he occupies in Hebrew history. 

His Outstanding Characteristic was his versatility. 

(1) In his youth he was an athlete, 1 Samuel 17:34–36. 

(2) He was a fine musician; his reputation was such that he was sent to play before the king, 1 Samuel 16:14–23. 

(3) His poetic genius was of the very highest order. He wrote some of the greatest masterpieces of spiritual literature, a large number of the Psalms are accredited to him. No other poetry has been so constantly used by the church through all the centuries as the Psalms of David. 

(4) He was an able general and conducted his military campaigns with great success. 

(5) He has generally been considered as the greatest king of Israel. He displayed unusual wisdom in the administration of government. 

SYNOPSIS OF HIS CAREER 

I. His Early Life.

(1) Spent on his father’s farm at Bethlehem; he was the youngest of eight sons, 1 Samuel 16:10–11.

(2) As a shepherd he showed great courage in protecting the flock, 1 Samuel 17:34–36.

(3) He was divinely chosen to succeed King Saul and quietly anointed by the prophet Samuel, 1 Samuel 16:12–13.

II. His Service under Saul.

(1) He became the king’s harpist, 1 Samuel 16:14–23. Note: The chronological order of events during this period is somewhat uncertain.

(2) After remaining at court for a time he returns to the farm, 1 Samuel 17:15.

(3) He next appears as champion of Israel and kills the giant, Goliath, which results in a great victory for God’s people, 1 Samuel 17:25–53.

(4) This heroic feat wins the admiration of Jonathan, the king’s son, but the praises of the people given to David arouse the hatred of Saul, 1 Samuel 18:1–9.

(5) Soon David is compelled to flee for his life, 1 Samuel 19.

III. David as a Fugitive.

This is a dark period in his career. Pursued by King Saul, who hates him, David leads the perilous life of an outlaw. But there are some bright spots in the dark record.

The magnanimous intercession of Jonathan, securing David’s temporary restoration to the king’s favor, 1 Samuel 19:4–7.

The generosity of David in twice sparing his enemy’s life, 1 Samuel 24:1–15; 26:1–20.

IV. David as King.

(1) After the death of Saul, the tribe of Judah anoints him as king and he reigns seven years in Hebron, 2 Samuel 5:1–5.

(2) At the death of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, David becomes king of all Israel, 2 Samuel 5:3.

NOTABLE EVENTS OF HIS LATER YEARS

(1) The capture of Jerusalem and the establishment of the capitol there, 2 Samuel 5:7.

(2) The bringing of the ark to Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 6:1–11; 1 Chronicles 15:1–29.

(3) The military victories and enlargement of the kingdom, 2 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 10.

(4) His sin against Uriah, the Hittite, 2 Samuel 11:1–27 to 2 Samuel 12:1–31.

(5) His penitence, see Psalm 51:1-19.

(6) Absalom’s rebellion against his father, 2 Samuel 15–18.

(7) David’s preparation for building the temple, 1 Chronicles 22:5, 14; 1 Chronicles 29:2.

V. His Last Days.

(1) He appoints his son, Solomon, as his successor, 1 Kings 1:11–39.

(2) Gives him a solemn charge, 1 Kings 2:1–9.

(3) He dies, 1 Chronicles 29:26–28.

See also 919, 4307f.

Frank Charles Thompson and John Stephen Jauchen, eds., Thompson Chain Outline Study Series, Updated and Expanded., The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible (Indianapolis, IN: B.B. Kirkbride Bible Co., Inc., 1997), 2107–2108.

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