In how many ways was David like Jesus Christ?

Summary of his early life and rise to power

-              David was from the tribe of Judah, the eighth son of Jesse, from Bethlehem. He was handsome, courageous and faithful to God.

-              Samuel anointed him after Saul?s rejection as king.

-              As a teenager David defeated the Philistine giant called Goliath.

-              He was a good musician and was employed to play the harp in order to stir the emotions of the moody King.

-              He was the best friend of Jonathan Saul?s son.

-              David lamented at the news of Saul?s death, and later moved from Philistia, where he had escaped to Hebron where he was declared King of Judah in the south. Seven years afterwards, David became king of a united Israel.

David?s achievements

David is often referred to as the ideal king or real founder of Israel. This is simply because it was he who realised the nationalistic dreams of Israel, namely by being superior to other nations and in the worship of the one God. These dreams were realised through his political, military and religious achievements.

1. Political Achievements

-         Reunited the northern and southern tribes of Israel

-         Made Jerusalem the capital of Israel after defeating the Jebusites.

-         Restructured Israel by introducing administration and bureaucracy in the style of Egypt, making Israel a state to reckon with.

2. Military Achievements

-         Created a strong efficient standing army commanded by Joab

-         Conquered and subjugated the rivals of Israel, such as the Philistines, Amalekites, Edomites. In this way the boundaries of Israel were extended. The subjects were taxed reviving Israel?s economy.

3. Religious Achievements

-         Jerusalem became the religious capital when he brought back the Ark of the covenant, making it known as the city of God.

-         The worship of the one God was revived.

-         Since he was a man after God?s heart, God made a covenant with him promising to make him a ?house?. This promise was made through Nathan the prophet.

-         David was a psalmist

Though David sinned, he was forgiven by God and accepted the trials and sorrows as a merited ?punishment? and he reigned for 40 years. David died and was buried in Jerusalem.

Significance of the life of David

David was like Jesus Christ in 3 ways:

1. Shepherd.

He tended his father?s flocks and later was pastor of his people. Jesus was the good shepherd, ready to lay down his life for his sheep.

2. Deliverer.

He delivered his people by overcoming Goliath and delivering the Israelites from the yoke of the Philistines. He was the figure of Christ the Saviour, delivering from the slavery of sin.

3. King.

He was a king who gathered the 12 tribes in unity and he achieved this not by making himself feared, but through love. Our Lord who will be King, will gather all the children of God into the Kingdom of the Father.
 

Bro. Julius Asong (Kumba, Cameroon)