David is a Flawed Man

Introduction

• God promised that David’s descendants would rule forever over the people of Israel. God fulfilled this promise in the birth of Jesus almost a thousand years later. David, however, was anything but a perfect man. He had flaws, faced problems and heartaches, and still remains as the greatest king in Israel

• I’m Brent and this is episode 26 of The Bible Unplugged. We take a look at the life of King David to see how he became the spiritual, moral, and political leader over Israel in spite of the challenges he faced in his life.

• Please take a minute to look at the show notes for this episode at PowerLoveandMiracles.com under the Podcast tab. While you are there, please subscribe to receive notifications of future episodes.

Who was David?

• The Bible covers the life of David in several books of the Old Testament. I have included a timeline of David’s life including the scripture references at the end of the show notes if you are interested.

• David was born in Bethlehem around 1040BC and was the youngest son of Jesse. He worked as a shepherd and became proficient in music, poetry, and combat. An unusual mix of talents.

• God chose David as King of Israel while Saul was still on the throne.

• There are several significant events in David’s early life that showcase his abilities, but those stories are for future episodes. Our focus today is on how David became the greatest leader of Israel despite his personal failings.

How did David lead?

• King David had a number of positive traits that made him popular with his people.

• When he faced and defeated Goliath, he showed courage and insight. David fought Goliath with nothing but a sling and some rocks. The moment Goliath hit the ground David’s popularity exploded and David became the heir apparent to Saul’s throne. Faith in God and total confidence in his abilities compelled David to revive the courage of the nation. The lesson here is that David could see victory when everyone else, including King Saul, saw and insurmountable problem.

• David had a humble side as well. After David was anointed as king, he refused to harm King Saul. On two occasions, David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but David recognized his place and God’s timing in history.

• David led by being a powerful servant. This seems like a contradiction, but David cared about and supported his people. The result? David united Israel,established Jerusalem as the capital, and brought the Ark of the Covenant, the ultimate symbol of God’s relationship with his people, to Jerusalem. David stayed faithful to God and was blessed for it. The book of 2 Samuel chapter 6 says that “David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him.”

• David’s major failure was his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. 2 Samuel chapter 11 covers this unfortunate event. When David learned that Bathsheba was pregnant, he tried to hide the truth and ended up having Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, killed in battle. The prophet Nathan confronted David on his sin and David repented. His repentance was so authentic and deep that David wrote what we know as chapter 51 in the Book of Psalms. That chapter reads, in part:

• Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.
Against you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.

• Despite his personal flaws, the Apostle Paul, in the Book of Acts, chapter 13, would later call David, “A man after God’s own heart.”

What we learn from this

• Being a strong leader requires courage even when we may feel inadequate. David was just a young shepherd boy when faced Goliath and changed the course of history. True leaders step up even when they don’t feel qualified.

• Great leaders serve others, not just themselves. David put his people before his personal ambitions and united the people as one nation.

• We learn that mistakes aren’t final and failures are not eternal. David repented of his tragic sin and went on to become an even greater leader.

• We also see that a real and lasting legacy is built on faith and integrity, not perfection.

What do we do with this?

• David has a lot to teach us about leading even though we may feel inadequate or unworthy.

• David, as a young man, stepped up to challenge Goliath even though he had no formal military experience or training. Is there a “Goliath” in your life? Have you avoided a seemingly impossible situation at work or at home? I challenge you this week to take one step forward in confronting the problem and see how God steps in to help you.

• David’s humility led him to put his people first despite his personal ambition and abilities. Leadership isn’t about the raw use of power, it’s about serving those you lead and helping others succeed. Think of someone in your life who is facing their own personal “Goliath.” How can you serve, support, and care for that person and help them to see God is there for them?

• We learn that failure isn’t final, and mistakes aren’t eternal. David repented of his sinful relationship with Bathsheba and having Uriah killed; but David continued to devote his life to leading Israel. If you have made a mistake, monumental or trivial, take responsibility for your failing. Make amends if you have hurt someone else, and ask God to help you learn from that mistake.

• One of the greatest lessons we learn is: a leader’s legacy is built on faith, integrity, and service, not perfection. David was not a perfect man, but he continued to follow the path God set in front of him. Take time this week to focus on how God wants to strengthen your faith and develop your talents and abilities for the Kingdom.

The conclusion

• And, as you know, the music in the background means I have run out of time for this episode, but there’s more.

• I hope this has been helpful. If so, give this podcast a high rating and share it with others.

• In the next episode we start a series called, “Easter Unplugged.” There are a lot of details in the last week before Jesus’ crucifixion that tell us just how great Jesus, the Messiah, really is.

• My prayer for you is that you will see that the problems and faults you have been hiding from are the path for God to help you grow.

• Have a blessed week.

The disclaimers

• Just to let you know

• All opinions are my own. If you agree, keep listening. If you don’t… keep listening, there may be some good stuff here.

• All Bible quotations come from the World English Bible which is a public domain work.

• Our show theme song is “Awesome Call” by Kevin MacLeod and is available under a Creative Commons license.

• The content of this podcast is copyrighted 2025 by J. Brent Eaton

• This has been a Power Love and Miracles production.

The Life of King David

• I. Early Life & Rise to Power (c. 1040–1010 BC)

• 1. Birth and Youth (c. 1040 BC)

· Born in Bethlehem, the youngest son of Jesse (1 Samuel 16:1-13, 1 Chronicles 2:13-15).

· Worked as a shepherd, developing skills in music, poetry, and combat.

· Psalm 78:70-72 – God chose David from tending sheep to shepherd Israel.

• 2. Anointed as Future King (c. 1025 BC)

· Prophet Samuel anoints David as king (1 Samuel 16:1-13, 1 Chronicles 11:3).

· Becomes Saul’s court musician (1 Samuel 16:14-23).

• 3. Victory Over Goliath (c. 1024 BC)

· Kills Goliath with a slingshot, gaining national fame (1 Samuel 17, 1 Chronicles 20:5).

· Psalm 144:1 – "Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

• 4. Friendship with Jonathan & Conflict with Saul (c. 1024–1015 BC)

· Becomes best friends with Saul’s son Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-4).

· Saul grows jealous and tries to kill David multiple times (1 Samuel 19–26).

· Psalm 59 – Written when Saul sent men to kill him.

• 5. Fugitive Years (c. 1015–1010 BC)

· Hides in caves, gathers followers, and twice spares Saul’s life (1 Samuel 21–30).

· Psalm 34, 57 – Written while hiding in caves.

• II. King Over Judah & All Israel (1010–970 BC)

• A. King of Judah in Hebron (1010–1003 BC, 7 Years)

• 6. Saul’s Death & David Becomes King of Judah (1010 BC)

· Saul and Jonathan die in battle (1 Samuel 31, 1 Chronicles 10).

· David is anointed king over Judah in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:1-7, 1 Chronicles 11:1-3).

· Psalm 18 – A song of victory and gratitude.

• B. King Over All Israel in Jerusalem (1003–970 BC, 33 Years)

• 7. Uniting the Kingdom (1003 BC)

· Becomes king over all Israel after Saul’s son Ish-bosheth is killed (2 Samuel 5:1-5, 1 Chronicles 12:23-40).

· Conquers Jerusalem and makes it the capital (2 Samuel 5:6-10, 1 Chronicles 11:4-9).

• 8. Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem (c. 1000 BC)

· Brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 15–16).

· Psalm 132 – Celebrates the Ark coming to Jerusalem.

• 9. Expanding Israel’s Borders (c. 999–990 BC)

· Defeats the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Arameans (2 Samuel 8, 1 Chronicles 18).

· Psalm 60 – Reflects on his military campaigns.

• 10. David’s Covenant with God (c. 995 BC)

· God promises David a dynasty that will last forever (2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17).

· Isaiah 9:6-7 – Prophesies a future ruler from David’s line (Jesus).

· Jeremiah 23:5-6, Ezekiel 34:23-24, Hosea 3:5 – Prophets reaffirm David’s everlasting kingdom.

• 11. David & Bathsheba (c. 990 BC)

· Commits adultery with Bathsheba and has her husband killed (2 Samuel 11, 1 Chronicles 20:1).

· Prophet Nathan confronts him, and he deeply repents (2 Samuel 12).

· Psalm 51 – His prayer of repentance.

• 12. Family Turmoil & Absalom’s Rebellion (c. 985–980 BC)

· Amnon assaults Tamar, leading to Absalom killing him (2 Samuel 13).

· Absalom rebels, forcing David to flee Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15–18).

· Psalm 3 – Written during Absalom’s rebellion.

• 13. Later Reign & Final Years (c. 979–970 BC)

· Oversees preparations for the Temple, though God says Solomon will build it (1 Chronicles 22–29).

· Conducts a military census, but is punished (2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21).

· Names Solomon as his successor (1 Kings 1:28-40, 1 Chronicles 29:22-25).

• III. Death & Legacy (c. 970 BC)

• 14. Death of David (c. 970 BC, Age 70)

· Dies after ruling for 40 years (1 Kings 2:10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:26-30).

· Psalm 23 – His enduring reflection on God's guidance.

• Prophetic Legacy of David

· Messianic Prophecies in David’s Line:

o Micah 5:2 – Messiah to be born in Bethlehem.

o Zechariah 12:10 – Foretells a pierced king, linking to David’s lineage.

o Psalm 110 – A prophecy about the eternal reign of David’s descendant (Jesus).