King David The Warrior's Woes Worries and Worship

By Morena Caleb

King David always made his petitions and supplications to the great God of Israel. God chastised him when he sinned but God continued to bless him in everything he did. Through all of his woes and worries he never lost his great love and dependence on God. Anyone who loves stories about a great romance and the things a man will do when he strays from his duty to God and Man must read this book. For those who love to read about war and conquest, this is a book for you. Anyone who really loves God and wants His glory to rest upon them will benefit from reading this book. For a gripping story and a deeper understanding of the character that God loved one must read this book. The book gives the history of David from his early beginning as a shepherd boy and it takes us through war, family conflicts, to his preparation for Solomon to build the temple. He taught the children of Israel how to worship and praise God.. It finishes with all of the prayers and Psalms of David.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morena Caleb
• Release date: Aug 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476060415

Morena Caleb

I am a grandmother who loves to write, to read and to study the Bible. My book on King David did not come over night. It took a lot of praying, listening to the Holy Spirit, meditating and digging deep into the Word of God. It took years before I could put this book together. I hope it will be inspirational, instructional and most of all will lead others to a deeper relationship with God. I have always loved the Bible and reading it is a daily habit. I have been a Sunday school student for more than fifty years. I regularly attend Bible study. I am currently under the leadership of Pastor Arnold Wykoff of St. Joseph/Mt. Zion ministries in Fenton/ Kinder, Louisiana. I graduated from high school in St. Landry Parish, Opelousas, Louisiana in 1963. Later, I attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To further my knowledge and understanding of the Bible I studied with Boulden Seminary UAME Church under the directions of Dr. Maurice H.Sykes.

Book preview

Many years ago I sat in a mid-week Bible class and engaged in a discussion about giving God the glory. I talked about the times in my life when I didn’t want to give God the glory for the things I had accomplished. I felt that I worked hard, studied hard and therefore it was my efforts that had brought about the desired result. To my surprise one of the ladies got angry because she thought I was talking about her. I assured her that I was talking about myself. The lady went on to explain that she did not feel the spirit.

She said that she wanted what we have but she just didn’t feel anything. Different people explained ways for her to develop a relationship with God. One of the suggestions was to daily read the Bible and pray

When the lady came back to the next weekly meeting she said that she had been reading about King David.

He was a terrible person. How could he be a man after God’s own heart? the woman asked sarcastically.

Throughout the years that followed I read and reread the life story of King David and I saw a lot of bad things that he had done. I pondered about God loving him so much. God prospered him wherever he went and in everything he did. I could not understand how God could be so merciful to a sinner like David. Throughout my seminary years I read those books, II Samuel and II Chronicles, about the life and times of David.

When I decided to write about King David I knew I had some praying, consulting the Holy Spirit and studying to do. In studying the life of David, I came face to face with my own sins and imperfections. Here I was thinking how evil King David had been when the Holy Spirit brought back to my remembrance some of the awful things I had done in my lifetime.

When I studied Psalm 51 I realized why I had been praying certain portions of that prayer for many years. I had no grounds in which to judge King David because I had done some of the same things and worse. God had been merciful to me. Then I understood God’s grace and mercy. God still loves us in spite of our sins.

Writing this book has been a real challenge. It caused me to study and research many Bibles and to go to commentaries for clarifications. It gave me a greater appreciation for the great God of Heaven. Without him I was powerless to write a single line. But more than writing I got a closer walk with God. Understanding David’s walk with God gave me such an assurance that God is a merciful, loving and forgiving God.

As I studied the life and character of David I couldn’t possibly miss the all powerful, all seeing eye of the great God of heaven. I couldn’t help realizing that God is still on the throne. I realized that I could call on God and He would not be slack to answer my prayers. I learned by studying the life of David to really lean on God for every aspect of my life.

David is one of the best known characters of the Old Testament. He is the youngest son of Jesse from Bethlehem. He was the youngest child of a family of ten. His mother’s name is not known. His father was a great age when David was young. His parents both lived until after his final rupture with Saul. Through them David inherited several points which he never lost. His great grandmother was Ruth, a Moabite, so he never lost his connection with the country of Moab.

As he was on the run from Saul he entrusted his parents care with the king of Moab. David’s birth place was Bethlehem. He was connected to the tribe of Judah. He never lost his connection with Zeruiah and Abigail. They are called sisters of David but never referred to as daughters of Jesse. Abigail is referred to as the daughter of Nahash.

It can be supposed that David’s mother had been the wife or concubine of Nahash. David’s name means the beloved, the darling. Perhaps that is one of the reason he was never intimate with his brothers. He had a much deeper relationship with his nephews; the three sons of Zeruiah and the one son of his sister Abigail. They were probably the same age with David, and they were with him throughout his life. The two sons of his brother Shimeah are both connected with his history.

One of the nephews was Jonadab, the friend and adviser of the oldest son Amnon. The other was Jonathan who became a counselor of David. When David first appeared in history we are introduced to the whole family except for his mother. There was a practice once a year in Bethlehem of having a feast, probably at the first new moon of the year. Jesse was the chief owner of the place and therefore presided with the elders of the town.

At the feast appeared the prophet Samuel driving a heifer before him. In his hand was a horn of consecrated oil of the tabernacle. Samuel stood ready to anoint the one that God had chosen to be the next king in place of Saul, whom God had rejected. After looking over all of Jesse sons that were present he still had not found the right one. So Samuel inquired if Jesse had another son.

Jessie said that there was one who was out tending the sheep. Samuel sent for David and when he appeared Samuel anointed him as King. David is one of the greatest kings that ever lived but his life was not always one of glitter and glamour. David’s life was threatened and he was a fugitive, running from Saul for many years. Yet, he rose to the position that God had appointed for him. David was a good man but he had trouble on every side even when he was knocking at death’s door trouble was still visiting him. In spite of everything David was not perfect. Many were the sins of David and many were the imperfections of David. David paid a high price for his sins. Yet, God continue to love him and promised to bless his house forever.

CHAPTER ONE

SAUL, A MAN REJECTED BY GOD

There was a great difference between King Saul and King David. When King Saul was anointed to be king he felt little in his own eyes. Saul had been sent out to look for his father’s donkeys and he could not find them so he decided to go to the Seer, who was the prophet Samuel. Saul approached Samuel in the city gate and said, Please tell me where the seer’s house is.

I’m the seer, Samuel told Saul. Go on ahead of me to the shrine. You can eat with me today. In the morning I’ll send you on your way, and I will tell you everything you want to know. As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, don’t be worried about them because they’ve been found. Who owns all of Israel’s treasures, anyway? Isn’t it you and your whole family?

I’m a Benjamanite, Saul responded, from the smallest Israelite tribe, and my family is the littlest of the families in the tribe of Benjamin. Why would you say something like that to me?

Then Samuel took Saul and his young servant and brought them to the banquet room. He gave them an honored place among the invited guests. There were about thirty all total.

Samuel said to the cook, Serve the portion I gave you the one I told you to set aside. So the cook took the thigh and what was on it and put it in front of Saul. Samuel said, Look, what had been reserved is now in front of you. Eat up, because it was set apart for you for this specific occasion, ever since I invited the guests. So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

When they came back from the shrine to the town, a bed was made for Saul on the roof and he slept. Near dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, Wake up! I will send you on your way. So Saul got up and the two of them, he and Samuel went outside.

As they were nearing the edge of town Samuel said, Tell the boy to go on ahead of us (the servant did so) but you stop for a bit so I can tell you God’s word." So Saul felt little in his own eyes. He was from the smallest tribe of Israel and his family was of no great importance. So he didn’t understand why Samuel had given him the chief seat at the high place.

CHAPTER TWO

SAUL’S ANOINTING

1 Samuel 10:1-10 Common English Bible (CEB)

Samuel took a small jar of oil and poured it over Saul’s head and kissed him. The LORD hereby anoints you leader of his people Israel, Samuel said. You will rule the LORD’S people and save them from the power of the enemies who surround them. And this will be the sign for you that the LORD has anointed you as leader of his very own possession: When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will tell you, ‘The donkeys you went looking for have been found. Now your father has stopped thinking about the donkeys and is worried about you. He’s asking: What should I do about my son?’

Then, when you’ve gone on a bit farther, you will come to the oak at Tabor. Three men who are going to consult God at Bethel will meet up with you there, one carrying three young goats, one carrying three loaves of bread, and one carrying a jar of wine. They will ask how you’re doing and will offer you sacrificial bread, which you should accept.

After that, you will come to Gibeath-elohim, which is a Philistine fort. When you enter the town, you will encounter a group of prophets coming down from the shrine preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres. They will be caught up in a prophetic frenzy. Then the LORD’S spirit will come over you, and you will be caught up in a prophetic frenzy right along with them. It will be like you’ve become a completely different person. Once these signs have happened to you, do whatever you would like to do because God is with you."

Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I’ll come down to meet you to offer entirely burned offerings and to make well-being sacrifices. Wait seven days until I get to you, then I’ll tell you what you should do next.

And just as Saul turned to leave Samuel’s side, God gave him a different heart, and all these signs happened that very same day. When Saul and the boy got to Gibeah, there was a group of prophets coming to meet him. God’s spirit came over Saul and he was caught up in a prophetic frenzy right along with them.

CHAPTER THREE

SAMUEL REJECTS SAUL’S DYNASTY

1 Samuel 13

Saul was 30 years old when he became king and he ruled over Israel forty-two years. Saul selected three thousand men from Israel. Two thousand of those were with Saul at Michmash in the hills near Bethel and one thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. He sent the remaining men home. Jonathan attacked the Philistine fort at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul sounded the alarm throughout the land and said, Hebrews! Listen up! When all Israel heard that Saul had attacked the Philistine fort and that Israel was hated by the Philistines, the troops were called to Saul’s side at Gilgal.

The Philistines also were gathered to fight against Israel. They brought thirty thousand chariots with them, six thousand cavalry, and as many soldiers as there is sand on the seashore to fight Israel. They marched up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven. When the Israelites saw that they were in trouble and that their troops were threatened, they hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, in tunnels, and in cisterns. Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan River, going into the land of Gad and Gilead.

Saul stayed at Gilgal and the troops followed him anxiously. He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal and his troops began to desert. So Saul ordered, Bring me the entirely burned offering and the well-being sacrifices.

Then he offered the entirely burned offering. The very moment Saul finished offering up the entirely burned offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet him and welcome him.

But Samuel said, What have you done?

I saw that my troops were deserting, Saul replied. You hadn’t arrived by the appointed time and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash. I thought, the Philistines are about to march against me at Gilgal and I haven’t yet sought the LORD’S favor. So I took control of myself and offered the entirely burned offering.

How stupid of you to have broken the commands the LORD your God gave you! Samuel told Saul. The LORD would have established your rule over Israel forever, but now your rule won’t last. The LORD will search for a man of his own choosing, and the LORD will commission him as leader over God’s people because you didn’t keep the LORD’S command.

1 Samuel 15 Common English Bible (CEB)

Samuel said to Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel. Listen now to the LORD’S words! This is what the LORD of heavenly forces says: I am going to punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel: how they attacked the Israelites as they came up from Egypt. So go! Attack the Amalekites; put everything that belongs to them under the ban. Spare no one. Kill men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys."

Saul called out the troops and counted them at Telaim: two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand more troops from Judah. Then Saul advanced on the Amalekite city and laid an ambush in the valley. Saul told the Kenites, Get going! Leave the Amalekites immediately because you showed kindness to the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. Otherwise, I’ll destroy you right along with them. So the Kenites left the Amalekites. Then Saul attacked the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is near Egypt. He captured Agag the Amalekite king alive but Saul placed all the people under the ban killing them with the sword. Saul and the troops spared Agag along with the best sheep, cattle, fattened calves, lambs, and everything of value. They weren’t willing to put them under the ban but anything that was despised or of no value they placed under the ban. Then the LORD’S word came to Samuel: I regret making Saul king because he has turned away from following me and hasn’t done what I said. Samuel was upset at this and he prayed to the LORD all night long. Samuel got up early in the morning to meet Saul and was told, Saul went to Carmel, where he is setting up a monument for himself. Then he left and went down to Gilgal. When Samuel reached Saul, Saul greeted him, The LORD bless you! I have done what the LORD said."

Then what, Samuel asked, is this bleating of sheep in my ears and mooing of cattle I hear?

They were taken from the Amalekites, Saul said, because the troops spared the best sheep and cattle in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God. The rest was placed under the ban. Samuel then said to Saul, Enough! Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.

Tell me, Saul replied. Samuel said, Even if you think you are insignificant, aren’t you the leader of Israel’s tribes? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. The LORD sent you on a mission, instructing you, ‘Go, and put the sinful Amalekites under the ban. Fight against them until you’ve wiped them out.’ Why didn’t you obey the LORD? You did evil in the LORD’S eyes when you tore into the plunder!

But I did obey the LORD! Saul protested to Samuel. I went on the mission the LORD sent me on. I captured Agag the Amalekite king and I put the Amalekites under the ban. Yes, the troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder—the very best items placed under the ban but in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.

Then Samuel replied, Does the LORD want entirely burned offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to the LORD? Listen to this: obeying is better than sacrificing, paying attention is better than fat from rams, because rebellion is as bad as the sin of divination; arrogance is like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected what the LORD said, he has rejected you as king.

Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned because I disobeyed the LORD’S command and your instructions. I was afraid of the troops and obeyed them. But now please forgive my sin! Come back with