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As the Christian Church approaches this time of year and prepares to celebrate the birth of Jesus, references will be made to King David.

 

But as time has gone by and Christmas has drifted back to a celebration closer to its original roots (the roots are not tied to the 

Jesus), I thought it might be wise to re-visit who King David was in the history of kings in the Jewish world and why he and his house would be tied to Jesus.

 

The first thing I see as important in this exploration is when and how did David become King.

 

David was not the first King of Israel, He was the Second. His reign lasted about 40 years.  David is most well known in Bible stories for using a sling and a stone to kill a giant (Goliath), thus leading to the surrender of the philistine army to Israel.  And for most Christians this is enough. Jesus was out of the house of David because David had faith in the face of great circumstance, and that is enough.

 

But when we look closer at David, I believe there is much more to it than having Faith, for David it is also about gaining forgiveness, and what the combination of the two lead him to do with that faith.

 

To start off with, David was no saint.  He used his position to fulfil a desire for one of his soldier’s wives. By some church standards today this would fully disqualify him from being associated with Jesus.

 

But, after being called out by the Prophet Nathan for having an adulterous affair with the soldier's wife and having the soldier set up to die, David was forgiven , he repented and was married to Bathsheba (the wife of the soldier) and their second child would be the third King of Israel.

 

With that out of the way for the present, let's look at what David did with his faith.

 

While not in any order, here are some of the accomplishments of David:

 

He united the north and south Kingdoms of Israel into one.

 

He laid out plans for the Temple to be built and started stock piling materials.

 

He brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel.

 

He is credited with writing a series of songs of praise to God, Psalms.

 

He was obedient to God’s Structure.  When the messenger brought the news of Solomon's death (first King of Israel), to David, David had the messenger killed for celebrating the death of God’s Chosen King.

 

While this is a high level view of David, one thing seems evident to me, David was an ordinary man.  We may look at these accomplishments as out of our ability as ordinary people, but in reality they all required one thing; Faith.

 

David started out as a shepherd and became a king that became the reference point for the son of God. While this may not seem possible to us today, let’s remember one thing, David knew where his ability came from. For many these mighty acts listed above could be all that it would take to justify David being the base of Jesus.

 

Let’s consider the items above and compare the action and Jesus

 

1. David United Israel as one, Jesus unites mankind as one with God

2. David returned the Ark, David brought the law back, Jesus fulfilled the law to bring us back to God

3. David planned the Temple, Jesus became the Temple

 

But the greatest part of why David may be the reference for Jesus is the part we would judge David for the most today. The adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and having her husband killed.

 

To many, this may seem strange, but consider it. David was forgiven by God. Even though he was forgiven he still suffered for his action, but he lived in the forgiveness of God and did not die for the sin as was required by the Law.

 

Isn’t that what Jesus did for us? Jesus suffered, not for any sin he committed, but for those mankind committed. He died, but was resurrected and not cut off from God.

 

Isn’t this what we are supposed to do, Accept the forgiveness offered thru Jesus the Christ, and live our lives in faith thru forgiveness? Not that we will not suffer, but at our death we may be raised into a new life and not die the second death? (separation from God).

 

Amen