Topical Bible: Seeking God: David

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David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the Bible known for his deep and earnest pursuit of God. His life, as recorded in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 1 Chronicles, as well as in the Psalms, provides a profound example of seeking God with a sincere heart. David's relationship with God is characterized by his unwavering faith, repentance, worship, and reliance on divine guidance.

Early Life and Anointing

David's journey of seeking God began in his youth. As a shepherd boy, he developed a close relationship with God, which is evident in his psalms that reflect his trust and dependence on the Lord. In 1 Samuel 16:7, when Samuel is sent to anoint a new king, God tells him, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This highlights the importance of David's heart in his selection as king, indicating his genuine pursuit of God.

David and Goliath

David's faith in God is vividly demonstrated in the account of his battle with Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:45, David declares to the Philistine giant, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." This statement underscores David's reliance on God rather than human strength or weapons, showcasing his deep trust in God's power and presence.

David's Reign and Worship

As king, David sought to honor God through his leadership and worship. He brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, establishing the city as the religious center of Israel. In 2 Samuel 6:14, it is recorded that "David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD." This act of worship reflects his wholehearted devotion and joy in the presence of God.

David's desire to build a temple for the Lord further illustrates his commitment to seeking God. Although God did not permit him to construct the temple, David's intention and preparation for it, as seen in 1 Chronicles 22:7-10, reveal his dedication to honoring God.

Repentance and Restoration

David's life was not without sin, yet his response to sin demonstrates his heart for God. After his transgression with Bathsheba, David's repentance is poignantly expressed in Psalm 51. In verse 10, he pleads, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This psalm reveals David's deep sorrow for his sin and his earnest desire for restoration and continued fellowship with God.

Legacy of Seeking God

David's legacy as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) is a testament to his lifelong pursuit of God. His psalms continue to inspire believers to seek God earnestly. In Psalm 63:1, David writes, "O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land without water." This verse encapsulates David's deep longing for God's presence and his relentless pursuit of a relationship with the Almighty.

David's life serves as a powerful example of seeking God through faith, worship, repentance, and obedience. His account encourages believers to pursue a heartfelt relationship with God, trusting in His guidance and grace throughout life's journey.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Psalm 63:4. SM Seeking God.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 63:4. SM Seeking God. 1 My God, permit
my tongue This joy, to call thee mine, And let my early ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 63 4 0 s m seeking.htm

Psalm 63 Seeking God.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 63 Seeking God. SM Seeking God. My God, permit my tongue.
This joy, to call thee mine; And let my early cries prevail. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 63 seeking god.htm

The Psalms of David
... Psalm 35:2. 12-14. Second Part. Love to enemies; or, The love of Christ to sinners
typified in David. ... Psalm 63:4. SM Seeking God. Psalm 65:1. 1-5. First Part. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/

Struggling and Seeking
... that 'they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.' There were lions in
Palestine in David's time ... If we begin with seeking, and have God, be sure ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/struggling and seeking.htm

Go Forth, O Ye Daughters of Zion, and Behold King Solomon with the ...
... But this would be a great mistake; for such a one seeking God in God Himself, looks
for ... interior and collecting all the forces of his soul, as David did, to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/11 go forth o ye.htm

Note F. --Chap. xviii the Whole Heart
... Hear David (ix.1, cxi.1, cxxxviii.1): "I will praise Thee with my whole ... I cried with
my whole heart." Praise and prayer; seeking God and keeping His precepts ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/note f chap xviii the whole.htm

The Sound in the Mulberry Trees
... in a continuous current; remember, you may to-morrow without seeking God's advice
venture ... leaned to your own understanding; you have said like David, "Let us ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the sound in the mulberry.htm

Following Hard after God
... the finding was all the sweeter for the long seeking. ... I beseech thee, show me thy
glory." God was frankly ... David's life was a torrent of spiritual desire, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/i following hard after god.htm

A Mirror Held up to God's Face.
... tramp of the army, over the hills, seeking his throne ... But David speaking of that
night afterwards wrote this down ... so you see a lesson of trust in God came, in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a mirror held up to.htm

Christian David, 1690-1722.
... from town to town, like the old philosopher seeking an honest ... do his best to help
them; and he promised David that if ... "This," said they, "is God's doing; this ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ii christian david 1690-1722.htm