Humility: David
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David, the second king of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose life exemplifies the virtue of humility in various ways. Despite his significant achievements and status, David consistently demonstrated a humble heart before God and others.

Anointed Yet Humble

David's journey to kingship began with his anointing by the prophet Samuel. God chose David, the youngest son of Jesse, over his older brothers, highlighting the divine preference for inner qualities over outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7). Despite this divine selection, David did not immediately ascend to the throne. Instead, he returned to tending his father's sheep, displaying patience and humility in waiting for God's timing.

Service to Saul

David's humility is further illustrated in his service to King Saul. After being anointed, David entered Saul's service as a musician to soothe the king's troubled spirit (1 Samuel 16:21-23). Even when David became a successful warrior and gained popularity among the people, he continued to serve Saul faithfully, respecting him as the Lord's anointed despite Saul's growing jealousy and hostility (1 Samuel 18:5-9).

Sparing Saul's Life

David's humility is profoundly evident in his encounters with Saul in the wilderness. On two occasions, David had the opportunity to kill Saul, who was pursuing him to take his life. However, David refrained, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6). David's respect for God's anointed king, despite Saul's unjust actions, underscores his humility and reverence for God's authority.

Repentance and Submission

David's humility is also apparent in his response to personal sin. When confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin with Bathsheba, David did not justify or hide his wrongdoing. Instead, he confessed, "I have sinned against the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:13). His heartfelt repentance is captured in Psalm 51, where he pleads for God's mercy and cleansing, demonstrating a contrite and humble spirit.

Dancing Before the Lord

Another instance of David's humility is seen when he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a linen ephod, an act that some, including his wife Michal, considered undignified for a king (2 Samuel 6:14-16). David's willingness to humble himself in worship, prioritizing his devotion to God over royal dignity, reflects his deep humility.

Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty

Throughout his life, David consistently acknowledged God's sovereignty and guidance. In his psalms, he often expressed his dependence on God, recognizing that his victories and successes were due to divine intervention rather than his own strength (Psalm 18:1-3). David's reliance on God and his acknowledgment of God's hand in his life further illustrate his humble disposition.

David's life, marked by humility in service, repentance, worship, and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, serves as a model of humility for believers. His account reminds us of the importance of a humble heart before God and others, regardless of one's position or achievements.
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1 Samuel 18:18-23
And David said to Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
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1 Samuel 24:14
After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
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1 Samuel 26:20
Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one does hunt a partridge in the mountains.
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2 Samuel 7:18-29
Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that you have brought me till now?
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1 Chronicles 17:16-27
And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me till now?
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Library

David as an Example of Humility.
... Chapter XVIII."David as an example of humility. But what shall we say
concerning David, to whom such testimony was borne, and ...
/.../chapter xviii david as an example.htm

David as an Example of Humility.
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter XVIII."David as
an Example of Humility. But what shall we say concerning ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xviii david as an example.htm

In this Matter we must Imitate David's Silence and Humility...
... Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy. by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Book I.
Chapter VI. In this matter we must imitate David's silence and humility? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi in this matter.htm

Psalm 131. Humility and Submission.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 131. Humility and submission. 1 Is there ambition
in my heart? Search, gracious God, and see; Or do I act a haughty part? ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 131 humility and submission.htm

Preface by David Lewis.
... Preface by David Lewis. ... of doubting the Saint's account, and did not suspect her
of exaggerating her imperfections in the depths of her humility: "he thought ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/preface by david lewis.htm

Psalm 131 Humility and Submission.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 131 Humility and submission. CM Humility and submission.
Is there ambition in my heart?. Search, gracious God, and see; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 131 humility and submission.htm

How David Prevailed.
... On the contrary, the sling gave David an immense advantage. ... When COURAGE is united
to HUMILITY, the Philistine may get measured for his coffin (leaving out the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxiv how david prevailed.htm

Instances from the Life of the Blessed David in which Anger was ...
... avenge the insult to the king, the blessed David moved with pious wrath against
this dreadful suggestion of his, and keeping the due measure of humility and a ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii instances from the.htm

Exhortations to Prayer, Humility, Etc.
... Chapter X."Exhortations to prayer, humility, etc. ... For "blessed are the meek;" [559]
and Moses was meek above all men; [560] and David was exceeding meek. ...
/.../chapter x exhortations to prayer humility.htm

Song to David
... O bless??d Bridegroom, bid'st! For Adoration, David's Psalms. Lift up the heart to
deeds of alms; ... O man of GOD's humility,. Within his Saviour's Church. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cciv song to david.htm

Resources
What was the significance of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about conceit / being conceited? | GotQuestions.org

Who was John the Apostle in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Humility: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Humility

Humility is Before Honor

Humility: A Characteristic of Saints

Humility: Abraham

Humility: Afflictions Intended to Produce

Humility: Ahab

Humility: Blessedness of

Humility: Centurion

Humility: Christ an Example of

Humility: Cornelius

Humility: David

Humility: Elihu

Humility: Elisabeth

Humility: Elizabeth

Humility: Excellency of

Humility: Exemplified

Humility: General Scriptures Concerning

Humility: Gideon

Humility: Hezekiah

Humility: Isaiah

Humility: Jacob

Humility: Jeremiah

Humility: Job

Humility: John

Humility: John the Baptist

Humility: Joseph

Humility: Joshua

Humility: Josiah

Humility: Leads to Riches, Honor, and Life

Humility: Manasseh

Humility: Mephibosheth

Humility: Moses

Humility: Necessary to the Service of God

Humility: Paul

Humility: Peter

Humility: Saints should be Clothed With

Humility: Saints should Beware of False

Humility: Saints should Put On

Humility: Saints should Walk With

Humility: Temporal Judgments Averted By

Humility: The Who Have are Greatest in Christ's Kingdom

Humility: The Who Have: Delivered by God

Humility: The Who Have: Enjoy the Presence of God

Humility: The Who Have: Exalted by God

Humility: The Who Have: Heard by God

Humility: The Who Have: Lifted up by God

Humility: The Who Have: Receive More Grace

Humility: The Who Have: Regarded by God

Humility: The Who Have: Upheld by Honor

Humility: Want of, Condemned

Humility: Woman of Canaan

The Humility of Christ: Declared by Himself

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Associating With the Despised

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Becoming a Servant

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Birth

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Death

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Entry Into Jerusalem

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Exposing Himself to Reproach and Contempt

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Obedience

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Partaking of Our Infirmities

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Poverty

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Refusing Honors

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Station in Life

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Subjection to his Parents

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Ordinances

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Sufferings

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Taking Our Nature

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Washing his Disciples' Feet

The Humility of Christ: His Exaltation, the Result of

The Humility of Christ: On Account of, he Was Despised

The Humility of Christ: Saints should Imitate

Related Terms

Gentleness (17 Occurrences)

Feet (2931 Occurrences)

Washing (56 Occurrences)

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)

Down (12601 Occurrences)

Meekness (14 Occurrences)

Gentle (48 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Humility (20 Occurrences)

False (303 Occurrences)

Simon (75 Occurrences)

Ones (687 Occurrences)

Handmaid (77 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Victoriously (1 Occurrence)

Vain-glory (3 Occurrences)

Vainly (4 Occurrences)

Know (8133 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Natures (12 Occurrences)

Neglecting (6 Occurrences)

Upholdeth (8 Occurrences)

Unspiritual (6 Occurrences)

Urge (34 Occurrences)

Opposed (23 Occurrences)

Overflowing (54 Occurrences)

Opposes (7 Occurrences)

Jude (4 Occurrences)

Lowly (29 Occurrences)

Galilee (73 Occurrences)

Gird (44 Occurrences)

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)

Will-worship (1 Occurrence)

Implanted (3 Occurrences)

Idle (33 Occurrences)

Indulgence (3 Occurrences)

Filth (21 Occurrences)

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)

Feeling (59 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Fleshly (15 Occurrences)

Factiousness (1 Occurrence)

Teaches (24 Occurrences)

Trials (11 Occurrences)

Treatment (6 Occurrences)

Temptations (9 Occurrences)

Timid (8 Occurrences)

Tolerance (2 Occurrences)

Tested (80 Occurrences)

Resist (23 Occurrences)

Resists (4 Occurrences)

Rob (27 Occurrences)

Restraining (9 Occurrences)

Rigor (8 Occurrences)

Resisteth (3 Occurrences)

Rivalry (8 Occurrences)

Exists (18 Occurrences)

Downwards (2 Occurrences)

Devotion (17 Occurrences)

Dog (19 Occurrences)

Detail (19 Occurrences)

Disqualify (1 Occurrence)

Doorkeeper (8 Occurrences)

Decrees (131 Occurrences)

Moral (5 Occurrences)

Modesty (4 Occurrences)

Malign (6 Occurrences)

Prostration

Puffed (13 Occurrences)

Promoting (2 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Plotting (13 Occurrences)

Predestination

Plots (20 Occurrences)

Prostrate (25 Occurrences)

Prize (13 Occurrences)

Humility: Cornelius
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