August 15, 2025 • 33 mins
Chapter 18 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 2 Samuel 1-2:7.
A Sorrowful Coronation - The Rejected King is dead… Now is the time to usher in God’s chosen ruler - the one who will pave the way for peace and righteousness. Yet in the shadows there is a lingering memory of Saul that poses a threat to David’s power.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Romans 8:28, GWe know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
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Learn more about Dr. Tony Evans at https://tonyevans.org/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans and I'm excited for you
to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be
sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so
you get the newest episodes right as they come out.
Welcome to the epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:21):
and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
few know about David the man. In this episode, David
finally receives a crown on his head. The weight is
over and everything will finally be as it should. Peace
will be restored, poverty will end, war will cease, and
the nation will be united forever. Right if only it
(00:43):
were that simple. Yes, David is crowned the king in
this episode, but it is not a perfect coronation. In fact,
half the nation will not support him. Sorrow, loss, backbiting,
and opportunism muddy the waters of this episode. We must
remember something very important. David's story is a beautiful narrative,
but it is also a real story. It is not
(01:06):
crafted like a predictable fiction. David was a real historical
figure living in a real time in history, there were wars,
politics and scandals, My friend, brace yourself for the second
half of David's story. Unfortunately, the innocence of sheep herding,
slaying giants, and rescuing damsels in distress is over. David
(01:28):
is going to be a king and it will take
more than a heart of gold to lead a nation.
Our hero is going to navigate politics, civil unrest, famine, scandal, betrayal,
and murders. We want all our heroes to ride in
and save the day without any mess or dysfunction. But
as we will learn in the prelude, redeeming a people
(01:49):
is messy business. To do what must be done, a
great leader must sacrifice himself. That is what Jesus did.
It will be what David is called to do. Let's
begin a new phase of David's adventure. In episode eighteen,
a Sorrowful Coronation.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Prelude to chapter eighteen. Word had spread that Jesus was coming.
He had healed the lepers, restored sight to the blind,
fed thousands of people, raised the dead, and spoke power
over demons. The people were ready to coronate him as king,
so they gathered in numbers big enough to make an army.
(02:32):
They were ready for a coronation. Yet Jesus would not
be crowned with gold but thorns. Jesus descended the hill
towards God's holy city. At the gates, a sea of
people awaited him. They parted away for Jesus to enter
in cheering, they shouted for joy at the sight of them.
Oh Zadah, they cried out. Their cheers shook the earth below.
(02:57):
The entire city was rising like a tide to meet
the son of Man. Bless it be the one who
comes in the name of the Lord, they shouted. Louder
women sang a song of hope. Their melodies filled disguise.
People from all different nations and nationalities had come every
year to worship God of the Temple. Yet this year
(03:18):
they gazed upon the active and moving presence of God.
They laid out palm franz to make a pathway for Jesus.
Some of them even removed their own cloaks for him
to walk upon. They saw Jesus as the chosen hero
that would liberate them from the tight grip of Roman oppression.
They gazed upon Jesus as someone worthy to be called king.
(03:40):
They saw him as a wise and noble ruler destined
to sit on the throne of David. They wanted him
to rule over them and restore Israel to its former glory.
They desired a conquering warrior who would defeat the armies
of tyranny and bring blessing to the people of God
once again. As they sang to Jesus, there was a
slight tin of disappointment. He did not ride on a
(04:02):
white stallion with armor listening in the sun. He came
riding on a donkey. Jesus was not the king they expected.
He was powerful, mighty, and able to thwart the corrupt
nations of the age. Yet his mission was not to
overthrow a worldly government. His fight was not with Caesar
or Herod. There was a greater enemy that had enslaved
(04:24):
humanity since the Garden of Eden, Greater than Pharaoh, greater
than Goliath and the Philistines. Jesus held his gaze high
to the end of the city. The hill of Golgotha
loomed like a dragon's dend. Calvary awaited him. The people
sang along to their instruments. Their praise filled the air
like a sweet aroma. Yet Jesus knew what they would
(04:47):
be chanting in just a few days. Blessed is the King.
Blessed is the son of David, they proclaimed. The Pharisees
were also there, awaiting the opportunity to strike Jesus down.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Aren't you going to muzzle your disciples, Jesus?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
They are calling you, God. Jesus looked back at them.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
Even if I did silence them, the stones themselves would
cry out.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
As Jesus said this, he entered the gates of Jerusalem.
The entirety of scripture was leading up to this moment.
The crescendo of God's story thus far was about to unfold.
It was the beginning of the end Chapter eighteen, a
sorrowful coronation. Flames engulfed the battlefield of Mount Gilboa. Bodies
(05:37):
of slain Israelites were consumed by the raging fire set
by the Philistines. The war mongering enemies of Israel had
vanquished the mighty King Saul and his warrior's son Jonathan.
At the corner of the battlefield, laying lifeless in the
blood soaked dirt, was the King of Israel, his own
sword sticking out through his back. The once gold and
(05:59):
shimmering army was covered in ash. The crown atop his
head had fallen to the side. Standing over that body
was a young Amalekite man. The battle was over and
he was there to scavenge. He looked down at the
king with dismay. The mighty soul had fallen to his
own sword. The young man knelt down and picked up
(06:21):
the crown. He rubbed off some of the ash with
his fingers, admiring the fine jewels. He put the crown
in his pack, along with the royal amulet hanging around
the king's neck. All of a sudden, the Amalekite scavenger
heard a shout from behind you there stop. A group
of Philistine soldiers had caught him with the dead king.
(06:42):
They wanted the crown and all the spoils for themselves.
Arrows flew towards him, and the soldiers mounted their horses
in pursuit of him. He swiftly scaled the rocks above
Saul's body and escaped into the night. He ran for
his life. The descending light was filtered dark red from
the plumes of smoke rising in the sky. Hues of
(07:03):
red covered the valley below. It was as if the
entire sky was bleeding. It was an ominous sight for
the weary Amalekite scavenger. He had finally escaped the Philistines
and found himself wandering the countryside outside the region of Gath.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
If I tried to sell the crown, people will know
I defiled the body of a king.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
The scavenger thought to himself, I.
Speaker 5 (07:23):
Must give it to someone who will give me favor
and return for it.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
The scavenger held the crown in his hands. It was
heavier than it looked. The gold and jewels did not
shine because of the blood and ash that covered it.
Speaker 5 (07:35):
This crown belongs to the next king.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
He thought again to himself. The scavenger put the crown
back in his pack and quickened his pace towards the
land of Ziklag. A certain man residing in the country
would need to hear the news of Saul's death. David
awoke that night in a cold sweat. Visions of bloodshed
flooded his mind. He rose from his bed, with Abigail
(07:59):
still sleeping soundly, and walked outside. The air was pleasantly
cold to David, who needed a fresh breath. Many of
his men had retreated to their homes for the evening.
All was still and peaceful, David enjoyed the silence of
the night. It reminded him of his time tending to
sheep and the wilderness of Bethlehem. Often he would lay
(08:21):
back and gaze at the stars while the sheep slept,
and pray silently to the Lord. He was always faithful
to listen to his prayers. In all seasons, David found
himself connected to the heart of God in deep ways.
David closed his eyes and breathed in the crisp bar
into the peaceful night. He sang a song of praise.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is
within me, Bless his Holy name.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
David's voice was a sweet, smelling aroma to the Lord,
and David was a heart that sought after his own.
Even in his imperfections and failures, God was moving and
at work in his life. He would not leave him
more forsake him. David rose his arms to the night
sky and sang. He smiled, knowing that the favor of
(09:11):
the Lord would never leave him. The next morning, David
and his men tended to the rebuilding of zick Leg.
With the new wealth they gained from the battle against
the Amalekites, they were able to buy lumber, tools and bricks.
Things were looking up for the army of outcasts. Their
wives and children were safe, and they had more wealth
than they could have ever imagined. The men hummed as
(09:35):
they worked, laughed and rejoiced in their good fortune. The
men ceased their work when they heard a cry from
the hills above them. A figure wearing tattered clothes and
dirt on his face, descended swiftly down the stony ground.
The Amalekite scavenger came closer into view, and David put
his sword back in his sheath. The young man was
clearly not a threat. He stumbled forward in front of David,
(09:58):
heaving from a long journey.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
My Lord David, he shouted, I have come bearing news.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Where have you come.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
From, David asked, handing the young man his wine skin.
The scavenger took a drink and nodded in gratitude.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
I have escaped from the camp of Israel. There was
a great battle between them and the Philistines.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
The entire group of men paused what they were doing
and listened intently. They were supposed to march with the
Philistines against Saul and his army before the Lord saved them.
David was especially anxious to hear how the battle had gone.
His heart began to pound faster.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Tell me all that you know.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
The scavenger bowed his head to David. The king is dead,
he said, despondently. David's hands began to tremble. Payne welled
up in his eyes.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
What about the son of the king. What of Jonathan?
Speaker 5 (10:50):
He has also fallen?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
How do you know these things? How could you know
for certain that they are dead?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
David was losing his composure. The young man brought out
the crown from his pack and placed it in David's hands.
Speaker 5 (11:03):
I was not a part of the battle. I was
an onlooker Mount Gilboa. I saw the king Leani on
his own spear. He had tried to take his life
before the Philistines got to him. However he failed, wounded
and dying slowly. He beckoned me near when he saw me,
and told me to finish him off before the Philistines
got to him. So I stood beside him and drove
(11:27):
his own dagger through his heart. He died in my arms.
That is when I took the crown and his amulet
to give to you.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
The Amalekite Scavenger lied to elevate his own importance in
the story. Yet the truth of Saul's death remained. The
king had fallen, and Jonathan, the heir to the throne,
had also fallen. David held the crown in his trembling hands.
He said nothing. He stepped away from the rest of
the men towards the fields and sat there. He stared
(11:57):
blankly at the green horizon. Saul, the mad king, who
had sought to kill him, was dead. Jonathan, his most
loyal friend, was also dead. The pillars of the past
kingdom had been toppled and destroyed. Now it was time
for a new kingdom to emerge, a kingdom born from devotion,
not jealousy, humility, and not pride, honor instead of hatred.
(12:22):
David tore his clothes and yelled into the heavens. He
mourned the loss of his dear friend and his beloved king.
Despite everything, he had still loved Saul. His death marked
the end of running. It was time to press forward.
The entire village of Ziklag tore their clothes and mourned
the death of the king. The wind whistled through the canyons.
(12:45):
David looked up to the horizon with tears streaming down
his face, he rose and shouted a song of mourning
to the heavens. The wind carried his voice, and the
melodies of sorrow filled disguise.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
The glory of Israel. Slave, Oh, how the Mighty have fallen.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
David's song cut the hearts of those who were behind
him listening. They could feel his pain. It was deep,
bleeding like a wound into his words.
Speaker 6 (13:14):
Mountains of Gilbert, where the king and his son were slain. Bill,
your grounds have no rain falling upon you, for the
shield of the Mighty.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Was defiled on your soil.
Speaker 7 (13:28):
The blood of the slain testifies that Jonathan's bow did
not turn back and hide, and the sword of the
king did not return empty.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
David's voice cracked as he held back tears. He thought
of his beloved friend and once called father. He bent
his knees and lifted his palms to the air in lament.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
Sollen Jonathan, beloved and lovely in life and in death,
they were not divided, were as swift as eagles and
more valiant than lions. Oh, daughters of Israel, weep over
your king, Oh, how the mighty have fallen?
Speaker 3 (14:12):
In the scourges of battle.
Speaker 8 (14:16):
Shodifan my beloved Jonathan lies slain in the high places,
I am distressed for you, my brother John.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Your love for me was more precious than the love
of a woman.
Speaker 8 (14:36):
Oh how the mighty have fallen, Oh how the weapons
of war perished.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
Evening came swiftly, and David's weary eyes were red from tears.
He wrapped the royal robe Jonathan had once given him
around his shoulders and sat by the fire. The Amalekite
scavenger sat a few yards away, staring intently at David.
He looked at him eagerly, as if he was expecting
some sort of reward. David peered at the young man,
(15:05):
seeing his arrogance leak through the humble surface. Tell me,
David said, sternly, where do you come from. The young
scavenger perked up and rolled his shoulders back.
Speaker 5 (15:15):
I am the son of a traveler. I am an
Amalekite by birth, but have not called one place my
home in many years.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
He said, with a smile. David did not return his smile.
He leaned over the fire and stared right through it
to the Amalekite. So you are a traveler, David asked
the man nodded.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
You have no nation, so that must be why you
do not respect the dignity of kings.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
David's tone made the young man uncomfortable. He stirred in
his seat, not sure how to respond. David stood up
and gestured for Abereshie to come to his side. He
raised his sword towards the Amalekite and said.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
How is it that you felt no shame killing the
Lord's anointed? You come to me with a smile and
a crown. What did you expect from me favor for
killing the king? You were mistaken If you thought his
death would bring me peace, It only brings me sorrow,
(16:20):
and you, so Jonah, are responsible for the death of
a king.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Before the young scavenger could explain his lies, Abereshie lifted
him off his seat and took him behind the tent.
Swiftly and without hesitation, he thrust a blade straight through
the amalekites nash and executed for a lie, he did
not need to tell. The sun rose the next morning,
as it did every morning since the beginning of time itself.
(16:50):
The birds arose from their nests and welcomed the morning
light with the song. The flowers opened their petals, ready
to embrace the sun and welcome the day. On the surface,
it was a morning like any other. An unremarkable sunrise
floated over the valleys of Ziglag, and the men began
their work early, tending to live stock and building homes. However,
(17:11):
it was a different morning for David. Prompted by the Lord,
he arose before the sunrise and scaled the mountain above.
He looked as the dark valley was draped in light.
David watched as the dark, cold earth received the warmth
of the morning. He realized that Israel was in need
of that same warmth. Darkened from years of Saul's unstable
(17:33):
rain had left them despondent, and the loss to the
Philistines had left them vulnerable. They were in need of
the light of the Lord, and David felt a great
burden to reveal it to them. The young shepherd turned
his face to the sun, receiving its kind touch against
his skin, He smiled and looked beyond the valley towards
(17:53):
the land of Israel, the land promised to Abraham and
conquered by Joshua. Shall I step into the land again,
he asked the Lord. Perhaps the cities of Judah will
receive me. David's nearness to the Lord made his answer unmistakable,
like the affirming nod of a loving father. The Lord spoke, saying,
(18:14):
go and see what I have for you. Where should
I go? I do not know who will embrace me.
After being gone, the morning breeze galloped across the plains below,
then whistled up to where David stood. To hebron The
Lord answered David. There was a shift in the voice
of the Lord, a change in temperature. David could feel
(18:37):
a similar presence as when he was anointed as king
by Samuel. In that moment, overlooking the plains of Ziklag,
the Lord anointed David again as king. David closed his
eyes and smiled. His heart welled up with gratitude towards
his God. He was ready to serve him and serve
his people with strength in every step. David descended the
(19:01):
mountain down to the village. They gathered around their leader,
wondering what the Lord had told him. David scanned the
crowd of men and women that followed him faithfully for
so long. They shed their blood for him and endured
a great deal of hardship. His mighty men had faithfully
given their swords. Now they were going to be rewarded.
(19:22):
David lifted his voice to them, shouting with hope in
his voice, to.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Judah, we march to Judah, we embrace our destiny.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
A tidal wave of praise lifted from their voices. Together,
they packed their belongings, gathered their families, and ventured forth
towards hebron of Judah. David walked ahead of the people,
like Moses so long ago. He set a good pace,
being sure no one was left behind. Next to him
were Abshi, Benaiah, josh Obim, A Lizar, and Shama, the
(19:53):
faithful and mighty men who had served him faithfully. He
turned to Shama and gestured back to the crowd.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Go and find me Asahel. He is the fastest of
us all. Tell him to tell the leaders of Judah
that I am on my way. I would very much
like to meet with them to discuss protecting Israel. Do
not say anything about the throne. We are coming to serve.
I do not want them thinking we are being opportunistic.
(20:24):
We are coming back to protect our home. Shamah retrieved
Asahel and gave him the message. He also slipped him
the crown of Saul and told him to keep it safe.
The next thing David saw was the long and muscular
young man bolting past him with purpose. Assahel ran ahead,
sure to gain at least a day on them. David's
(20:45):
heart fluttered in his chest. He did not know what
sort of welcoming he would receive.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
He is the champion of our people and has protected
us even in exile.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
One of the elders shouted. The entire group of elders
from the tribe of Judah gathered around a fire, talking
of David. The king's crown rested on a table beside
the fire, the flames reflected in the newly polished gold.
Assahal leaned back in the corner, weary from his journey
and enjoying a bowl of broth. As the men deliberated, there.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
Is still a living air from Saul. His youngest son,
ish Bosheh. To embrace David as king would be treason.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Another elder shouted. Another elder raised his voice.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
Saul failed us as king and as kinsman. The Philistines
are camped at our borders, waiting to finish us off.
We need a real leader, one who will lead with strength.
The boy ish Boshev would be king in name only.
We all know Abner, Saul's commander, is the one making
the decisions. I say we put a real king on
(21:52):
the throne.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
The men continued to debate and consider their options. The
people of Judah cried out for David, however, or the
throne by birthright belonged to Ishbosheth, Saul's remaining son. The
elders of the remaining cities also held fast to Ishbosheth
and Abner. To anoint David as their king would be
to start a civil war. It would tear the nation
(22:15):
in two. However, despite the arguments, there was a clear
decision to be made among them. The Lord had already spoken,
and had been speaking since the day David slew the
giant Goliath. He was the true and chosen king, and
the people of Judah would be behind him, come what may.
David and his men arrived on the outskirts of Hebron.
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They were weary from days of travel, but could not
yet rest. Saul had spent much of his time in
pursuit of David's life. They were not sure if the
people of Judah had been poisoned with lies. Were they
still outcasts and exiles. David prayed that his message was
well received, yet there was no way of knowing until
they entered the cities of Judah. With trepidation and much fear,
(23:00):
David approached the city of Hemron. Great walls surrounded its border,
and behind them, David could hear music. The ground beneath
their feet vibrated from the sound of people cheering. The
gates opened and bursting forth from behind was an entire city,
cheering and singing praise to the hero of Israel. The
elders had gathered them to welcome David as their new king.
(23:23):
Tears welled up in David's eyes as he scanned the crowd,
a sea of faces beaming with hopeful smiles, singing praises
to the Lord that the new king had come. David
and his mighty men were ushered into the center of
the city where the elders awaited him. David approached the
steps leading up to the platform where the elders and
(23:43):
priests stood. In their hands was the crown of the King.
David looked back at Shama. He gave a sly smile.
The elders silenced the crowd and looked down at.
Speaker 4 (23:54):
David, the Giant s Leah, the champion of Israel. God's annoy.
We gotta here to affirming you the calling of the Lord.
You have protected our people from the enemy, even when
the country considered you to be an outlaw. King Saul
is dead and now in his time to look forward. Behold,
(24:18):
you are now King of Judah.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
The Eldest placed the crown atop David's light curls. The
Shepherd stood to his feet, and the crowd erupted and praised.
The Shepherd of Bethlehem was now king, King of God's people,
the forerunner for an even greater king that would come
after him, a king that would not just redeem a
nation for the entire world.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Jesus was not crowned with gold but thorns. This is
one of the most important preludes we have listened to yet.
Before David is crown king, we need to understand how
God crowns himself as king. While the world looks for
polished and illustrious coronations, Jesus rode on a donkey and
wore a crown of thorns, eventually enduring shame and torture
(25:12):
for his people. Jesus having the opportunity to be crowned
a king chose to instead take the form of a servant.
David will be expected to do the same, and we
will eagerly wait to see if he succeeds. After the prelude,
we are brought back to the battlefield where Saul fell
on his sword. Desolation surrounds his lifeless corpse, and a
(25:34):
lone scavenger loots his crown and amulet. The undignified sight
reminds us that death equalizes us all and shows no
honor to kings. Saul, a king, died a gruesome and
inglorious death, and in the end his belongings are taken
and his body is shamed. This scene is meant to
(25:55):
signal to us the fragility of the throne. Saul died
and everything seemed to crumble at once. Putting our hope
in worldly leaders and institutions is risky business, since they
can come and go in an instant. What we put
our hope in today may fail us tomorrow. How silly
it seems to put our unwaiving trust in fragile figures
(26:18):
and systems. The scavenger in the beginning of this episode
is an important figure as well. He represents the choppy
and hazardous transition from one king to another. The entire
interaction between him and David gives us yet another painful
reminder that this whole shift from King Saul to King
(26:38):
David will not be pretty. The interchange between the Scavenger
and David starts off terrible. He brings David Saul's crown
with hope that he will be rewarded. However, he's dishonest.
We've already seen what dishonest he can do. The Scavenger
tries to elevate his own importance in the story, unaware
that he was implicating himself as the King's murderer. It
(27:02):
was such an unnecessary lie, too, he paid a hefty
price for it. This doubles down on the idea that
David did not hate Saul. He could not tolerate the
man who claimed to kill him, even as an act
of mercy. David is destroyed by Saul's death, but even
more heartbreaking is the loss of Jonathan. The passing of
(27:24):
Saul and Jonathan was more than a tragedy. It was
a transition saw the father and Jonathan, the brother died,
ushering in David's adulthood. This is a deep psychological phenomena
that plays itself out in stories. Oftentimes, the transition from
boyhood to manhood is represented by the death of a father,
(27:46):
signifying the passing of the proverbial torch. Another phenomena is
the surpassing of the brother and going further than he
was able to go. David mourns their loss as he should,
then gets right to work. It is every leader's job
to honor the past while looking forward to the future.
(28:06):
David will have to respect Saul's legacy while making up
for his past sins. This concept is parsed out for
us when David watches the sun rise. David watched as
the dark, cold Earth received the warmth of the morning.
He realized that Israel was in need of that same warmth.
Darken from the years of Saul's unstable rain had left
(28:28):
them despondent, and the loss of the Philistines had left
them vulnerable. They were in need of the light of
the Lord, and David felt a great burden to reveal
it to them. David, from the get go, feels the
responsibility to surpass his predecessor. We should all hope to
do better than the generation before us. And we can
only pray that the generation after us surpasses us. Just
(28:52):
as Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve,
David prepares his men to serve. He plans on protecting
the people, whether they crown him as king or not.
This introduces another important theme for us, and that is
the theme of character. David passionately protected Israel when he
was a shepherd, a prince, an exile, and a king.
(29:14):
He had the same focus and mission, whether he was
beloved or hated. It may be a cliche, but I
will say it anyway. Characters who you are when nobody's watching.
David was the same in the cave of Abulam as
he was in the palace of the king. People pleasers
will act a certain way around those they are trying
to please, but act differently when nobody is around to
(29:37):
praise them. True men and women of God hold themselves
accountable no matter who is present, because they know God
is always there. David is coming to the rescue. Meanwhile,
the men of Judah are debating about who should be king.
Israel has already named Ishbachev, Saul's last remaining son, king,
(29:57):
but Judah is not so certain about him. Judah was
the largest and most powerful tribe of Israel, essentially standing
as a nation of its own, and they are more
inclined to choose the giant slayer. Did you think David's
rise to power would be simple or easy? It was neither.
The next few episodes will feature a dark turn for
(30:18):
the nation of Israel. Civil war's brewing, and David will
be at the center of it. It seems so clear
to us what the right decision is, so why does
it seem so hard for Israel. We have the benefit
of hindsight. Think about all the twists and turns of
your life. Think about all the wrong decisions you made,
but in the moment you thought you were right. Who
(30:38):
we are now will be the person we laugh at
twenty years from now. That's what it means to grow.
Israel will grow and realize their mistakes eventually, But now
Ismaschef is their king. Judah, however, crowns God's chosen hero
to rule over them. David was received with praise and
singing for the first time in years. He receives the
(31:01):
love and affection of his nation. Unlike Saul, the praise
does not go to his head. David knows that everything
he has is thanks to God. He also knows that
he is not the real hero of this story, later
revealed in some of his psalms, he will prophesy of
a better king. In Psalm one ten, he will sing
(31:22):
the Lord says to my king, sin in my right hand,
until I make your enemy is your footstool. David sings
about a different king who will make his enemies his footstool. However,
the enemy he fights will not be a foreign nation
or a radical king. It will be death itself. David
knows somewhere deep within his spirit that he is the
(31:44):
forerunner for someone greater, a king that would not just
redeem a nation, but the entire world. In the next episode,
Sin and Death crouch like lions, ready to devour Israel.
Will David be up to the political and spiritual check
find out in episode nineteen, a civil war begins. Thank
(32:05):
you for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and
wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com
and to expand your heroes in the Bible Journey, download
the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.
Forward Slash Heroes follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify
(32:26):
to get the newest episodes right as they come out,
and always be inspired by the Bible. God bless.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Hello.
Speaker 5 (32:36):
My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of pray dot Com.
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I wanted to ask do you know what your bank
does with your money?
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Administration
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans and I'm excited for you
to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be
sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so
you get the newest episodes right as they come out.
Welcome to the epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:21):
and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
few know about David the man. In this episode, David
finally receives a crown on his head. The weight is
over and everything will finally be as it should. Peace
will be restored, poverty will end, war will cease, and
the nation will be united forever. Right if only it
(00:43):
were that simple. Yes, David is crowned the king in
this episode, but it is not a perfect coronation. In fact,
half the nation will not support him. Sorrow, loss, backbiting,
and opportunism muddy the waters of this episode. We must
remember something very important. David's story is a beautiful narrative,
but it is also a real story. It is not
(01:06):
crafted like a predictable fiction. David was a real historical
figure living in a real time in history, there were wars,
politics and scandals, My friend, brace yourself for the second
half of David's story. Unfortunately, the innocence of sheep herding,
slaying giants, and rescuing damsels in distress is over. David
(01:28):
is going to be a king and it will take
more than a heart of gold to lead a nation.
Our hero is going to navigate politics, civil unrest, famine, scandal, betrayal,
and murders. We want all our heroes to ride in
and save the day without any mess or dysfunction. But
as we will learn in the prelude, redeeming a people
(01:49):
is messy business. To do what must be done, a
great leader must sacrifice himself. That is what Jesus did.
It will be what David is called to do. Let's
begin a new phase of David's adventure. In episode eighteen,
a Sorrowful Coronation.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Prelude to chapter eighteen. Word had spread that Jesus was coming.
He had healed the lepers, restored sight to the blind,
fed thousands of people, raised the dead, and spoke power
over demons. The people were ready to coronate him as king,
so they gathered in numbers big enough to make an army.
(02:32):
They were ready for a coronation. Yet Jesus would not
be crowned with gold but thorns. Jesus descended the hill
towards God's holy city. At the gates, a sea of
people awaited him. They parted away for Jesus to enter
in cheering, they shouted for joy at the sight of them.
Oh Zadah, they cried out. Their cheers shook the earth below.
(02:57):
The entire city was rising like a tide to meet
the son of Man. Bless it be the one who
comes in the name of the Lord, they shouted. Louder
women sang a song of hope. Their melodies filled disguise.
People from all different nations and nationalities had come every
year to worship God of the Temple. Yet this year
(03:18):
they gazed upon the active and moving presence of God.
They laid out palm franz to make a pathway for Jesus.
Some of them even removed their own cloaks for him
to walk upon. They saw Jesus as the chosen hero
that would liberate them from the tight grip of Roman oppression.
They gazed upon Jesus as someone worthy to be called king.
(03:40):
They saw him as a wise and noble ruler destined
to sit on the throne of David. They wanted him
to rule over them and restore Israel to its former glory.
They desired a conquering warrior who would defeat the armies
of tyranny and bring blessing to the people of God
once again. As they sang to Jesus, there was a
slight tin of disappointment. He did not ride on a
(04:02):
white stallion with armor listening in the sun. He came
riding on a donkey. Jesus was not the king they expected.
He was powerful, mighty, and able to thwart the corrupt
nations of the age. Yet his mission was not to
overthrow a worldly government. His fight was not with Caesar
or Herod. There was a greater enemy that had enslaved
(04:24):
humanity since the Garden of Eden, Greater than Pharaoh, greater
than Goliath and the Philistines. Jesus held his gaze high
to the end of the city. The hill of Golgotha
loomed like a dragon's dend. Calvary awaited him. The people
sang along to their instruments. Their praise filled the air
like a sweet aroma. Yet Jesus knew what they would
(04:47):
be chanting in just a few days. Blessed is the King.
Blessed is the son of David, they proclaimed. The Pharisees
were also there, awaiting the opportunity to strike Jesus down.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Aren't you going to muzzle your disciples, Jesus?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
They are calling you, God. Jesus looked back at them.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
Even if I did silence them, the stones themselves would
cry out.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
As Jesus said this, he entered the gates of Jerusalem.
The entirety of scripture was leading up to this moment.
The crescendo of God's story thus far was about to unfold.
It was the beginning of the end Chapter eighteen, a
sorrowful coronation. Flames engulfed the battlefield of Mount Gilboa. Bodies
(05:37):
of slain Israelites were consumed by the raging fire set
by the Philistines. The war mongering enemies of Israel had
vanquished the mighty King Saul and his warrior's son Jonathan.
At the corner of the battlefield, laying lifeless in the
blood soaked dirt, was the King of Israel, his own
sword sticking out through his back. The once gold and
(05:59):
shimmering army was covered in ash. The crown atop his
head had fallen to the side. Standing over that body
was a young Amalekite man. The battle was over and
he was there to scavenge. He looked down at the
king with dismay. The mighty soul had fallen to his
own sword. The young man knelt down and picked up
(06:21):
the crown. He rubbed off some of the ash with
his fingers, admiring the fine jewels. He put the crown
in his pack, along with the royal amulet hanging around
the king's neck. All of a sudden, the Amalekite scavenger
heard a shout from behind you there stop. A group
of Philistine soldiers had caught him with the dead king.
(06:42):
They wanted the crown and all the spoils for themselves.
Arrows flew towards him, and the soldiers mounted their horses
in pursuit of him. He swiftly scaled the rocks above
Saul's body and escaped into the night. He ran for
his life. The descending light was filtered dark red from
the plumes of smoke rising in the sky. Hues of
(07:03):
red covered the valley below. It was as if the
entire sky was bleeding. It was an ominous sight for
the weary Amalekite scavenger. He had finally escaped the Philistines
and found himself wandering the countryside outside the region of Gath.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
If I tried to sell the crown, people will know
I defiled the body of a king.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
The scavenger thought to himself, I.
Speaker 5 (07:23):
Must give it to someone who will give me favor
and return for it.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
The scavenger held the crown in his hands. It was
heavier than it looked. The gold and jewels did not
shine because of the blood and ash that covered it.
Speaker 5 (07:35):
This crown belongs to the next king.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
He thought again to himself. The scavenger put the crown
back in his pack and quickened his pace towards the
land of Ziklag. A certain man residing in the country
would need to hear the news of Saul's death. David
awoke that night in a cold sweat. Visions of bloodshed
flooded his mind. He rose from his bed, with Abigail
(07:59):
still sleeping soundly, and walked outside. The air was pleasantly
cold to David, who needed a fresh breath. Many of
his men had retreated to their homes for the evening.
All was still and peaceful, David enjoyed the silence of
the night. It reminded him of his time tending to
sheep and the wilderness of Bethlehem. Often he would lay
(08:21):
back and gaze at the stars while the sheep slept,
and pray silently to the Lord. He was always faithful
to listen to his prayers. In all seasons, David found
himself connected to the heart of God in deep ways.
David closed his eyes and breathed in the crisp bar
into the peaceful night. He sang a song of praise.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is
within me, Bless his Holy name.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
David's voice was a sweet, smelling aroma to the Lord,
and David was a heart that sought after his own.
Even in his imperfections and failures, God was moving and
at work in his life. He would not leave him
more forsake him. David rose his arms to the night
sky and sang. He smiled, knowing that the favor of
(09:11):
the Lord would never leave him. The next morning, David
and his men tended to the rebuilding of zick Leg.
With the new wealth they gained from the battle against
the Amalekites, they were able to buy lumber, tools and bricks.
Things were looking up for the army of outcasts. Their
wives and children were safe, and they had more wealth
than they could have ever imagined. The men hummed as
(09:35):
they worked, laughed and rejoiced in their good fortune. The
men ceased their work when they heard a cry from
the hills above them. A figure wearing tattered clothes and
dirt on his face, descended swiftly down the stony ground.
The Amalekite scavenger came closer into view, and David put
his sword back in his sheath. The young man was
clearly not a threat. He stumbled forward in front of David,
(09:58):
heaving from a long journey.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
My Lord David, he shouted, I have come bearing news.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Where have you come.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
From, David asked, handing the young man his wine skin.
The scavenger took a drink and nodded in gratitude.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
I have escaped from the camp of Israel. There was
a great battle between them and the Philistines.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
The entire group of men paused what they were doing
and listened intently. They were supposed to march with the
Philistines against Saul and his army before the Lord saved them.
David was especially anxious to hear how the battle had gone.
His heart began to pound faster.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Tell me all that you know.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
The scavenger bowed his head to David. The king is dead,
he said, despondently. David's hands began to tremble. Payne welled
up in his eyes.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
What about the son of the king. What of Jonathan?
Speaker 5 (10:50):
He has also fallen?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
How do you know these things? How could you know
for certain that they are dead?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
David was losing his composure. The young man brought out
the crown from his pack and placed it in David's hands.
Speaker 5 (11:03):
I was not a part of the battle. I was
an onlooker Mount Gilboa. I saw the king Leani on
his own spear. He had tried to take his life
before the Philistines got to him. However he failed, wounded
and dying slowly. He beckoned me near when he saw me,
and told me to finish him off before the Philistines
got to him. So I stood beside him and drove
(11:27):
his own dagger through his heart. He died in my arms.
That is when I took the crown and his amulet
to give to you.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
The Amalekite Scavenger lied to elevate his own importance in
the story. Yet the truth of Saul's death remained. The
king had fallen, and Jonathan, the heir to the throne,
had also fallen. David held the crown in his trembling hands.
He said nothing. He stepped away from the rest of
the men towards the fields and sat there. He stared
(11:57):
blankly at the green horizon. Saul, the mad king, who
had sought to kill him, was dead. Jonathan, his most
loyal friend, was also dead. The pillars of the past
kingdom had been toppled and destroyed. Now it was time
for a new kingdom to emerge, a kingdom born from devotion,
not jealousy, humility, and not pride, honor instead of hatred.
(12:22):
David tore his clothes and yelled into the heavens. He
mourned the loss of his dear friend and his beloved king.
Despite everything, he had still loved Saul. His death marked
the end of running. It was time to press forward.
The entire village of Ziklag tore their clothes and mourned
the death of the king. The wind whistled through the canyons.
(12:45):
David looked up to the horizon with tears streaming down
his face, he rose and shouted a song of mourning
to the heavens. The wind carried his voice, and the
melodies of sorrow filled disguise.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
The glory of Israel. Slave, Oh, how the Mighty have fallen.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
David's song cut the hearts of those who were behind
him listening. They could feel his pain. It was deep,
bleeding like a wound into his words.
Speaker 6 (13:14):
Mountains of Gilbert, where the king and his son were slain. Bill,
your grounds have no rain falling upon you, for the
shield of the Mighty.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Was defiled on your soil.
Speaker 7 (13:28):
The blood of the slain testifies that Jonathan's bow did
not turn back and hide, and the sword of the
king did not return empty.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
David's voice cracked as he held back tears. He thought
of his beloved friend and once called father. He bent
his knees and lifted his palms to the air in lament.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
Sollen Jonathan, beloved and lovely in life and in death,
they were not divided, were as swift as eagles and
more valiant than lions. Oh, daughters of Israel, weep over
your king, Oh, how the mighty have fallen?
Speaker 3 (14:12):
In the scourges of battle.
Speaker 8 (14:16):
Shodifan my beloved Jonathan lies slain in the high places,
I am distressed for you, my brother John.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Your love for me was more precious than the love
of a woman.
Speaker 8 (14:36):
Oh how the mighty have fallen, Oh how the weapons
of war perished.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
Evening came swiftly, and David's weary eyes were red from tears.
He wrapped the royal robe Jonathan had once given him
around his shoulders and sat by the fire. The Amalekite
scavenger sat a few yards away, staring intently at David.
He looked at him eagerly, as if he was expecting
some sort of reward. David peered at the young man,
(15:05):
seeing his arrogance leak through the humble surface. Tell me,
David said, sternly, where do you come from. The young
scavenger perked up and rolled his shoulders back.
Speaker 5 (15:15):
I am the son of a traveler. I am an
Amalekite by birth, but have not called one place my
home in many years.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
He said, with a smile. David did not return his smile.
He leaned over the fire and stared right through it
to the Amalekite. So you are a traveler, David asked
the man nodded.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
You have no nation, so that must be why you
do not respect the dignity of kings.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
David's tone made the young man uncomfortable. He stirred in
his seat, not sure how to respond. David stood up
and gestured for Abereshie to come to his side. He
raised his sword towards the Amalekite and said.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
How is it that you felt no shame killing the
Lord's anointed? You come to me with a smile and
a crown. What did you expect from me favor for
killing the king? You were mistaken If you thought his
death would bring me peace, It only brings me sorrow,
(16:20):
and you, so Jonah, are responsible for the death of
a king.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Before the young scavenger could explain his lies, Abereshie lifted
him off his seat and took him behind the tent.
Swiftly and without hesitation, he thrust a blade straight through
the amalekites nash and executed for a lie, he did
not need to tell. The sun rose the next morning,
as it did every morning since the beginning of time itself.
(16:50):
The birds arose from their nests and welcomed the morning
light with the song. The flowers opened their petals, ready
to embrace the sun and welcome the day. On the surface,
it was a morning like any other. An unremarkable sunrise
floated over the valleys of Ziglag, and the men began
their work early, tending to live stock and building homes. However,
(17:11):
it was a different morning for David. Prompted by the Lord,
he arose before the sunrise and scaled the mountain above.
He looked as the dark valley was draped in light.
David watched as the dark, cold earth received the warmth
of the morning. He realized that Israel was in need
of that same warmth. Darkened from years of Saul's unstable
(17:33):
rain had left them despondent, and the loss to the
Philistines had left them vulnerable. They were in need of
the light of the Lord, and David felt a great
burden to reveal it to them. The young shepherd turned
his face to the sun, receiving its kind touch against
his skin, He smiled and looked beyond the valley towards
(17:53):
the land of Israel, the land promised to Abraham and
conquered by Joshua. Shall I step into the land again,
he asked the Lord. Perhaps the cities of Judah will
receive me. David's nearness to the Lord made his answer unmistakable,
like the affirming nod of a loving father. The Lord spoke, saying,
(18:14):
go and see what I have for you. Where should
I go? I do not know who will embrace me.
After being gone, the morning breeze galloped across the plains below,
then whistled up to where David stood. To hebron The
Lord answered David. There was a shift in the voice
of the Lord, a change in temperature. David could feel
(18:37):
a similar presence as when he was anointed as king
by Samuel. In that moment, overlooking the plains of Ziklag,
the Lord anointed David again as king. David closed his
eyes and smiled. His heart welled up with gratitude towards
his God. He was ready to serve him and serve
his people with strength in every step. David descended the
(19:01):
mountain down to the village. They gathered around their leader,
wondering what the Lord had told him. David scanned the
crowd of men and women that followed him faithfully for
so long. They shed their blood for him and endured
a great deal of hardship. His mighty men had faithfully
given their swords. Now they were going to be rewarded.
(19:22):
David lifted his voice to them, shouting with hope in
his voice, to.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Judah, we march to Judah, we embrace our destiny.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
A tidal wave of praise lifted from their voices. Together,
they packed their belongings, gathered their families, and ventured forth
towards hebron of Judah. David walked ahead of the people,
like Moses so long ago. He set a good pace,
being sure no one was left behind. Next to him
were Abshi, Benaiah, josh Obim, A Lizar, and Shama, the
(19:53):
faithful and mighty men who had served him faithfully. He
turned to Shama and gestured back to the crowd.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Go and find me Asahel. He is the fastest of
us all. Tell him to tell the leaders of Judah
that I am on my way. I would very much
like to meet with them to discuss protecting Israel. Do
not say anything about the throne. We are coming to serve.
I do not want them thinking we are being opportunistic.
(20:24):
We are coming back to protect our home. Shamah retrieved
Asahel and gave him the message. He also slipped him
the crown of Saul and told him to keep it safe.
The next thing David saw was the long and muscular
young man bolting past him with purpose. Assahel ran ahead,
sure to gain at least a day on them. David's
(20:45):
heart fluttered in his chest. He did not know what
sort of welcoming he would receive.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
He is the champion of our people and has protected
us even in exile.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
One of the elders shouted. The entire group of elders
from the tribe of Judah gathered around a fire, talking
of David. The king's crown rested on a table beside
the fire, the flames reflected in the newly polished gold.
Assahal leaned back in the corner, weary from his journey
and enjoying a bowl of broth. As the men deliberated, there.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
Is still a living air from Saul. His youngest son,
ish Bosheh. To embrace David as king would be treason.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Another elder shouted. Another elder raised his voice.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
Saul failed us as king and as kinsman. The Philistines
are camped at our borders, waiting to finish us off.
We need a real leader, one who will lead with strength.
The boy ish Boshev would be king in name only.
We all know Abner, Saul's commander, is the one making
the decisions. I say we put a real king on
(21:52):
the throne.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
The men continued to debate and consider their options. The
people of Judah cried out for David, however, or the
throne by birthright belonged to Ishbosheth, Saul's remaining son. The
elders of the remaining cities also held fast to Ishbosheth
and Abner. To anoint David as their king would be
to start a civil war. It would tear the nation
(22:15):
in two. However, despite the arguments, there was a clear
decision to be made among them. The Lord had already spoken,
and had been speaking since the day David slew the
giant Goliath. He was the true and chosen king, and
the people of Judah would be behind him, come what may.
David and his men arrived on the outskirts of Hebron.
(22:37):
They were weary from days of travel, but could not
yet rest. Saul had spent much of his time in
pursuit of David's life. They were not sure if the
people of Judah had been poisoned with lies. Were they
still outcasts and exiles. David prayed that his message was
well received, yet there was no way of knowing until
they entered the cities of Judah. With trepidation and much fear,
(23:00):
David approached the city of Hemron. Great walls surrounded its border,
and behind them, David could hear music. The ground beneath
their feet vibrated from the sound of people cheering. The
gates opened and bursting forth from behind was an entire city,
cheering and singing praise to the hero of Israel. The
elders had gathered them to welcome David as their new king.
(23:23):
Tears welled up in David's eyes as he scanned the crowd,
a sea of faces beaming with hopeful smiles, singing praises
to the Lord that the new king had come. David
and his mighty men were ushered into the center of
the city where the elders awaited him. David approached the
steps leading up to the platform where the elders and
(23:43):
priests stood. In their hands was the crown of the King.
David looked back at Shama. He gave a sly smile.
The elders silenced the crowd and looked down at.
Speaker 4 (23:54):
David, the Giant s Leah, the champion of Israel. God's annoy.
We gotta here to affirming you the calling of the Lord.
You have protected our people from the enemy, even when
the country considered you to be an outlaw. King Saul
is dead and now in his time to look forward. Behold,
(24:18):
you are now King of Judah.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
The Eldest placed the crown atop David's light curls. The
Shepherd stood to his feet, and the crowd erupted and praised.
The Shepherd of Bethlehem was now king, King of God's people,
the forerunner for an even greater king that would come
after him, a king that would not just redeem a
nation for the entire world.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Jesus was not crowned with gold but thorns. This is
one of the most important preludes we have listened to yet.
Before David is crown king, we need to understand how
God crowns himself as king. While the world looks for
polished and illustrious coronations, Jesus rode on a donkey and
wore a crown of thorns, eventually enduring shame and torture
(25:12):
for his people. Jesus having the opportunity to be crowned
a king chose to instead take the form of a servant.
David will be expected to do the same, and we
will eagerly wait to see if he succeeds. After the prelude,
we are brought back to the battlefield where Saul fell
on his sword. Desolation surrounds his lifeless corpse, and a
(25:34):
lone scavenger loots his crown and amulet. The undignified sight
reminds us that death equalizes us all and shows no
honor to kings. Saul, a king, died a gruesome and
inglorious death, and in the end his belongings are taken
and his body is shamed. This scene is meant to
(25:55):
signal to us the fragility of the throne. Saul died
and everything seemed to crumble at once. Putting our hope
in worldly leaders and institutions is risky business, since they
can come and go in an instant. What we put
our hope in today may fail us tomorrow. How silly
it seems to put our unwaiving trust in fragile figures
(26:18):
and systems. The scavenger in the beginning of this episode
is an important figure as well. He represents the choppy
and hazardous transition from one king to another. The entire
interaction between him and David gives us yet another painful
reminder that this whole shift from King Saul to King
(26:38):
David will not be pretty. The interchange between the Scavenger
and David starts off terrible. He brings David Saul's crown
with hope that he will be rewarded. However, he's dishonest.
We've already seen what dishonest he can do. The Scavenger
tries to elevate his own importance in the story, unaware
that he was implicating himself as the King's murderer. It
(27:02):
was such an unnecessary lie, too, he paid a hefty
price for it. This doubles down on the idea that
David did not hate Saul. He could not tolerate the
man who claimed to kill him, even as an act
of mercy. David is destroyed by Saul's death, but even
more heartbreaking is the loss of Jonathan. The passing of
(27:24):
Saul and Jonathan was more than a tragedy. It was
a transition saw the father and Jonathan, the brother died,
ushering in David's adulthood. This is a deep psychological phenomena
that plays itself out in stories. Oftentimes, the transition from
boyhood to manhood is represented by the death of a father,
(27:46):
signifying the passing of the proverbial torch. Another phenomena is
the surpassing of the brother and going further than he
was able to go. David mourns their loss as he should,
then gets right to work. It is every leader's job
to honor the past while looking forward to the future.
(28:06):
David will have to respect Saul's legacy while making up
for his past sins. This concept is parsed out for
us when David watches the sun rise. David watched as
the dark, cold Earth received the warmth of the morning.
He realized that Israel was in need of that same warmth.
Darken from the years of Saul's unstable rain had left
(28:28):
them despondent, and the loss of the Philistines had left
them vulnerable. They were in need of the light of
the Lord, and David felt a great burden to reveal
it to them. David, from the get go, feels the
responsibility to surpass his predecessor. We should all hope to
do better than the generation before us. And we can
only pray that the generation after us surpasses us. Just
(28:52):
as Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve,
David prepares his men to serve. He plans on protecting
the people, whether they crown him as king or not.
This introduces another important theme for us, and that is
the theme of character. David passionately protected Israel when he
was a shepherd, a prince, an exile, and a king.
(29:14):
He had the same focus and mission, whether he was
beloved or hated. It may be a cliche, but I
will say it anyway. Characters who you are when nobody's watching.
David was the same in the cave of Abulam as
he was in the palace of the king. People pleasers
will act a certain way around those they are trying
to please, but act differently when nobody is around to
(29:37):
praise them. True men and women of God hold themselves
accountable no matter who is present, because they know God
is always there. David is coming to the rescue. Meanwhile,
the men of Judah are debating about who should be king.
Israel has already named Ishbachev, Saul's last remaining son, king,
(29:57):
but Judah is not so certain about him. Judah was
the largest and most powerful tribe of Israel, essentially standing
as a nation of its own, and they are more
inclined to choose the giant slayer. Did you think David's
rise to power would be simple or easy? It was neither.
The next few episodes will feature a dark turn for
(30:18):
the nation of Israel. Civil war's brewing, and David will
be at the center of it. It seems so clear
to us what the right decision is, so why does
it seem so hard for Israel. We have the benefit
of hindsight. Think about all the twists and turns of
your life. Think about all the wrong decisions you made,
but in the moment you thought you were right. Who
(30:38):
we are now will be the person we laugh at
twenty years from now. That's what it means to grow.
Israel will grow and realize their mistakes eventually, But now
Ismaschef is their king. Judah, however, crowns God's chosen hero
to rule over them. David was received with praise and
singing for the first time in years. He receives the
(31:01):
love and affection of his nation. Unlike Saul, the praise
does not go to his head. David knows that everything
he has is thanks to God. He also knows that
he is not the real hero of this story, later
revealed in some of his psalms, he will prophesy of
a better king. In Psalm one ten, he will sing
(31:22):
the Lord says to my king, sin in my right hand,
until I make your enemy is your footstool. David sings
about a different king who will make his enemies his footstool. However,
the enemy he fights will not be a foreign nation
or a radical king. It will be death itself. David
knows somewhere deep within his spirit that he is the
(31:44):
forerunner for someone greater, a king that would not just
redeem a nation, but the entire world. In the next episode,
Sin and Death crouch like lions, ready to devour Israel.
Will David be up to the political and spiritual check
find out in episode nineteen, a civil war begins. Thank
(32:05):
you for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and
wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com
and to expand your heroes in the Bible Journey, download
the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.
Forward Slash Heroes follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify
(32:26):
to get the newest episodes right as they come out,
and always be inspired by the Bible. God bless.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Hello.
Speaker 5 (32:36):
My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of pray dot Com.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
I wanted to ask do you know what your bank
does with your money?
Speaker 4 (32:43):
At America's Christian Credit Union, your everyday banking helps grow churches,
expand the reach of missions agencies, and supports fellow believers
across the country.
Speaker 2 (32:53):
Learn more about specials for switching to ACCU and their
nationwide
Speaker 4 (32:57):
Banking capabilities at america bekas Christian cu dot com, Forward
slash prey plus the peace of mind knowing that this
credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union
Administration
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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