Out of all men who can we say resembles Christ the most? Of all the types and shadows of the Scriptures which God has set before our eyes, which of these closely resemble Christ Jesus? Is it Abraham? What about Isaac? Samson? Any of the judges? What about the kings of Israel? Certainly these men offer as types to Christ in the scriptures, but which one more so? Where can we see the Christ the clearest? We have the form of Him now, but we see Him as through a mirror dimly. Is it not David, the king of Israel, the man after God’s own heart? Doesn’t He resemble the Christ the most? Are not many prophesies of Christ contained in the Psalms? And did not David write them? So David is the clearest picture of the Christ we have in the Scriptures; for he was a man after God’s own heart.
David spent the early years of his life as the shepherd of his father’s flock. While he was shepherding, he was being trained by God, even more so than his brethren who were enlisted in Saul’s army — for which of David’s brethren stepped up to fight Goliath? For they heard the Philistine reproach the heavenly hosts more than David did — for it was Goliath’s custom to come out to defy Israel. And David heard it and he went out to battle against him. And without question, when men are enlisted into an army, they go through special training; but David received none. However, he was trained by God for war while shepherding his father’s flock in the wilderness, for he fought lions and bears. As he says about this: “He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” (Psalms 18:34) Furthermore, He was trained to shepherd the flock of Israel as well — for God anointed him to be king as a shepherd boy. And after the battle of the Philistine, Saul wondered at him saying, “Whose son are you, young man?” (1 Samuel 17:58)
And likewise, it is said of Jesus, "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" (Matthew 13:55,56) For He did not go to school, nor was He brought up as a Pharisee in the strictest sect; but He was personally trained by God. And He was more wise and more authoritative and more powerful than all the scribes and Pharisees who were brought up in training; as it says, “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” (Matthew 7:28-29) And He was thus even from His youth, for He came into this world as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Word made flesh. He was found in the temple as a youth; “And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.” (Luke 2:47)
For Christ is the Shepherd of the flock, the flock of Jews and Gentiles, for in Him they are one. As the prophet Ezekiel testifies, saying, "My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them. (…) David My servant will be their prince forever.” (Ezk 37:24-25) And the LORD God also says through the prophet Ezekiel, "I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the LORD have spoken.” (Ezk 34:23-24)
Again, concerning David, God prophesied about him beforehand, saying, “I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.” (1 Samuel 2:35) For David was not only king, but priest; and he was anointed by God for this service with holy anointing oil. In former days, only the descendants of Aaron, the holy priesthood, were consecrated with the anointing oil; but here, in a similar way, David was consecrated by the prophet Samuel to be king over Israel. And David did according to what’s in God’s heart because he is a man after God’s heart; as the prophet also says, “The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people.” (1 Samuel 13:14)
And when David brought up the ark of the LORD, he danced before the Lord with a linen ephod, which only the priesthood wore; so David, foreshadowing the priestly king to come, wore an ephod before the LORD. And He also blessed in the name of the Lord God of Israel, which was solely a priestly duty; as it says in the law, “At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him and to bless in His name until this day.” (Deuteronomy 10:8) David also took it upon himself to carry the ark of the covenant, which was dedicated for the Levites only; but God stretched out His hand against Uzzah, for he stretched forth his hand to steady the ark; so David became afraid of God that day. This signifies that although the former priesthood is brought to an end, it does not abolish the fear due to His name. For God is proven holy by all those who draw near.
Furthermore, David was chosen by God on the account of his heart; this is contrary to the Levitical priesthood since they were chosen according to the flesh, that is, by the genealogy of Aaron; and it was according to the flesh even to the extent that those with anything crushed, broken, blemished or deformed were prohibited from serving in office. But the latter priesthood was according to the heart, the inward man. “For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) For in the heart is where faith dwells; and to have a good heart before God is considered faithfulness, for believers know that God sees the inmost thoughts and desires of the heart; as David says in the Psalms, “You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.” (Psalms 51:6) Since faith is according to the heart, not the flesh, under David, those who were in distress, in debt, and who were embittered gathered to him (1 Samuel 22:2). And also Mephibosheth, who was lame from his youth, ate at the king’s table. So fleshly ailments did not prohibit them from coming to him.
The Old Covenant had a tabernacle with its furnishings according to the pattern given to Moses on the mount; so the tent of the LORD was a temporary dwelling — for without question a tent is pitched only for a short while; for that is what a tabernacle is: a tent. This signifies that the Old Covenant was given for a set time and was not meant to be forever. Yet David’s house was “established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16), and the dwelling place for God that he built was no tabernacle, but a temple with foundations and roots established on Zion, the rock of a mountain. So with a new temple came a new order for worship; for David inaugurated men to sing before the LORD and give thanks with instruments and song. And by what law did David seek to build a house for the LORD? Or what command did he appoint singers? It was all according to what was in his heart, for in his freewill he sought a dwelling place for God.
And since there was a change of worship and a change of temple, David also taught another law, which wasn’t against the law of God, but accomplished it. He taught his son Solomon wisdom, understanding and the fear of the LORD; as Solomon, the son of David, writes:
“When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, Then he taught me and said to me, ‘Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live; Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.’” (Proverbs 4:3-7)
So David taught his son wisdom; and when Solomon reigned as king in place of his father, he was granted whatever he asked for; and he asked for an understanding heart and discernment between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9). And it was given to him by the grace of God.
Now pertaining to these things: Jesus, called the Christ, is the Anointed One, for that is what Christ means: Anointed. He was not anointed by God sometime in His life, as it was with David, but before the foundation of the world. And His priesthood endures forever; as it is written, "I will raise up your (David) Descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-14) This is the same one who it is written, "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me (Moses) from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15) And He is the prophet and priestly king, as David was, but Christ Jesus is after the order of Melchizedek which endures forever, for He lives forever. And since His life is eternal, so is His priesthood, His kingdom — as it is written, “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."” (Psalms 110:4) And the high priest brings forth offerings on behalf of the people; so likewise, Jesus brought forth an offering, for every priest offers gifts and sacrifices, so likewise, He offered a sacrifice — the sacrifice of Himself — for the sins of the people; as it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.” (Isaiah 53:10)
So if David was a man after God’s own heart, how would you regard the Christ? As it is written about Him, "Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him.” (Exodus 23:21) For Christ did not only bless in the name of the Father, as priests do, but everything He did and said was from God — as the Father dwelt among us in Him! As it is written: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) And again, it is written concerning Him, from you Bethlehem Ephrathah “One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2) For Jesus was not only the Fruit of David, but also the Root; He came from the city of David, yet came to build the enduring house of David. He was not only the Son of Man, but the Son of God.
And Christ came to build an eternal priesthood and an eternal kingdom, “For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever.” (Daniel 6:26) The Old Covenant made fearful slaves, but the New Covenant, a royal priesthood, sons of God. The Old Covenant is after the flesh with physical requirements according to law and obligation; whereas the New Covenant is build on the foundation of free will, after the heart, the new man, and the Spirit. Those who were deformed could not draw near to the priest in the former covenant; but when the Christ came, they drew near to Him and were made whole from their infirmities. So the priesthood Christ inaugurated was according to truth in the heart, not blemish in the flesh. And if it is by faith, then it is no longer law; and if it is no longer law, then the old sacrificial system is being put away and a new one set up — the law of Christ, a law of faith, which is inaugurated by Him and stands forever. For just as David planned for a lasting temple, Jesus Christ came and established a new temple and a new mode of worship.
For David was a refuge in the wilderness to those “in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented” (1 Samuel 22:2). In those days, when he was fleeing from Saul, David made his home in the rocks, caves, strongholds, and in the mountains. These were his refuge in time of trouble and his source of inspiration when he wrote in the Psalms: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalms 18:2) And speaking further about this, Christ Jesus Himself is the new Temple and in Him is the new mode of worship; for “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24) For He is our Refuge, our Rock; we who flee to Him take refuge in Him to worship God in the Holy Spirit and truth (1 Corinthians 6:19); as it says about Him, ”He shall become a sanctuary.” (Isaiah 8:14) As Jesus Christ calls out, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) As David likewise called out: "Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life, for you are safe with me." (1 Samuel 22:23) So men found refuge in David, as he found refuge in God; as Christ says, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10) As Jesus prayed, “You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us. (…)” (Jhn 17:21)
And those who loved David, like Jonathan, the son of Saul, made a covenant with him and entered league with him; and his name was preserved when Saul’s house was wiped out, because he sought David’s favor, knowing that the kingdom would be handed over to him. So when David’s kingdom was established, he sought to show "the kindness of God" (2 Samuel 9:3) to Jonathan; and he found Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, a man crippled in both feet. And he made him to eat at his own table regularly, and all what was to belong to Saul’s house was given to him. Then when a plague broke out in the land because of Saul’s sin — for Saul executed wrath against the Gibeonites, whom the children of Israel made an oath in the days of Joshua to preserve them alive — David, wishing to appease God’s wrath, asked the Gibeonites, "What should I do for you? And how can I make atonement that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?" (2 Samuel 21:3) And they asked for seven of Saul’s sons to be hanged on a stake. But Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, was spared, but another “Mephibosheth” (2 Samuel 21:8), the son of Saul, was handed over instead (as a type). And all this was granted to Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, for the sake of his father; before he did anything good or bad, he was ordained for such kindness.
And so it is with us, who enter league with God through Jesus Christ our Savior; He spares us from the wrath which is to come by Him who was hanged on a cross for us. For we were deserving wrath for our impiety, but God chose us for kindness before the foundation of the world. And this, by the grace of God, without any works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us “by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-7) For God elected us in Christ Jesus for grace that we may be His treasured possession among the world, from which we shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.
Furthermore, before David was king of Israel, he was Saul’s armor bearer. And David played the harp before Saul when an evil spirit from the LORD came upon him. “So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.” (1 Samuel 16:23) Nevertheless, Saul sought David’s life because of jealousy, for the women of Israel sang, “Saul has slain thousands, And David his ten thousands.” (1 Samuel 18:7) And “When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he was afraid of him.” (1 Samuel 18:15) Yet all Israel loved David (1 Samuel 18:16), even Saul’s household loved him. So from that day onward, Saul sought to kill David, although he did no wrong; as David received the testimonies concerning his righteousness: “he has not sinned against you,” (1 Samuel 19:4) and, "why should he be put to death? What has he done?" (1 Samuel 20:32) And, “I have found no fault in him,” (1 Samuel 29:3) and, “you are pleasing in my sight, like an angel of God.” (1 Samuel 29:9) As he says about himself, “What have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?” (1 Samuel 26:18) For even though Saul was delivered into his hands two times, David did not strike him nor kill him, although it was in his power to do so (1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 26).
Nevertheless, Saul persecuted David and sought to kill him. When he sent David out to fight against the Philistines, he thought to himself, "My hand shall not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him." (1 Samuel 18:17) And when he gave his daughter to David in marriage, he thought to himself, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” (1 Samuel 18:21) As David writes in the Psalms, “Without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.” (Psalms 35:7) And, “Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head.” (Psalms 69:4) For Saul plotted secretly against David to kill him without reason, until he persecuted David in the wilderness. Yet while Saul sought David’s destruction, David sought for his salvation, for he spared him on two separate occasions. For David trusted in the LORD to avenge him, he kept trusting in God in the wilderness; as he says, "May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you.” (1 Samuel 24:12)
Both Saul and David were the LORD’s anointed, but Saul was later rejected by God. And because of this, he persecuted David because he knew the kingdom would be establish to him (1 Samuel 24:20). And in the same way, the teachers of the law were questioning Jesus and “testing Him” (Matthew 22:35). They were “seated in the chair of Moses,” (Matthew 23:2-3) who was sent by God. And they persecuted Jesus because they wanted to retain their power; as it says, "If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." (John 11:48) As a result, the Pharisees “were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him.” (Mark 14:1) At one time, they sent Herod’s men with the Pharisees “in order to trap Him in a statement.” (Mark 12:13-15) Although Jesus did no wrong, as He received testimonies from others: "Why, what evil has He done?” (Mark 15:14) And, ”He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." (Mark 7:37) And as He says of Himself, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" (John 10:32)
For instead of seeking Christ for His favor, as many followed Him and sought Him, the Pharisees and Sadducees sought after Him for persecution, even stirring up others to contradict. Yet Jesus was constantly putting up with them and reasoning with them to bring them to repentance. And the word which David wrote in the Psalms was fulfilled in Him: as it says, “They have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, 'THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.'” (John 15:25) For Christ was blameless and sinless; He is the Angel of the LORD in all His perfection. Albeit however, like the Saul who was stirred up against David because of jealousy, “The chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.” (Mark 15:10) And although Christ had the power to avenge Himself, as He says, "Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) He did not avenge Himself, for the sake of fulfilling the Scriptures (Matthew 26:54), of which we are writing. “And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (1 Peter 2:23) For just as David went through persecution before being crowned with glory, even though he was foreordained by God, it was also purposeful for Christ to go through suffering before His exaltation.
For David was rejected as king over Israel, but the house of Judah anointed him king over them. So David reigned as king in Hebron “seven years and six months” (2 Samuel 2:11). But the house of Israel had Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, reigning over them. And there was a long war between the two houses. So even Christ was rejected by His own countrymen; as they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!" And the Jews said, ”We have no king but Caesar.” (John 19:15) So just as it was foretold (1 Samuel 8:7), so it happened. As David wrote in the Psalms, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.” (Psa 41:9) And, “It is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend; We who had sweet fellowship together Walked in the house of God in the throng.” (Psa 55:12-14) For the Christ was betrayed by His beloved companion, who was like a son to Him. It was foretold in the Psalms, and fulfilled when Judas Iscariot betrayed Him to the chief priests and rulers. And, as a type, in David’s days, his own son Absalom, exalted himself as king over Israel and drove David far from his homeland. In the end, Judas died by hanging himself, and Absalom, the son of David, likewise, he “was left hanging between heaven and earth.” (2Sa 18:9)
Nevertheless, David fled out of Israel when his son betrayed him; and “All the country wept with a loud voice” (2 Samuel 15:23) when he fled. And following Jesus as He bore His cross were “women who were mourning and lamenting Him.” (Luke 23:27) Yet the Spirit of Christ reigns in David’s voice which says: “If I find favor in the sight of the LORD, then He will bring me back again.” (2 Samuel 15:25) For Christ was brought back again, even from the dead: as it says, “If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.” (Isaiah 53:10) For God made Him to stand up again.
David was met with cursing and hurling of stones by the Benjamite, Shimei. He railed on David saying, “You bloodthirsty man, You rogue!” (2 Samuel 16:7) And yet David bore the cursing and did not open his mouth, but said, "Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day." (2 Samuel 16:12) And as it says in the prophecy of Isaiah about the Christ: “As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see and be satisfied;” (Isaiah 53:11) He did not return railing for railing, nor insult for insult; for the Pharisees mocked Him, saying, "HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM;” (Matthew 27:43) And, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" (Luke 23:37) And many other things they said, blaspheming. Yet He remained silent; “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.” (Isa 53:7) David went through this trouble because of his own iniquities, yet Christ Jesus was crucified — not for any fault of His own — but for the faults of the world.
David found forgiveness from God for his sin when he sinned with Bathsheba and killed Uriah. For the law of God requires blood for blood, but a Substitute was found for David. As a type and foreshadow of Christ’s sacrifice, the LORD took David’s son who was to be born to Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:14). So an innocent child died in place of David. And the Word was given to him: "The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” (2Sa 12:13) As the Spirit of Christ calls out from David, "Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2Sa 18:33) For if David said this concerning Absalom, his own son, who rose up to seek his own life, how much more for this innocent child?
And when David sinned again by numbering the people of Israel, a plague arose in the land of Israel because of his sin. And he pleaded with the LORD God that His hand would not be against the people, saying, “Behold, it is I who have sinned, and it is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand be against me and against my father's house.” (2Sa 24:17) David said this when he was at fault; but yet greater is He, the Christ, who spoke this way when He had no fault: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luk 23:34) It is one thing to ask for the punishment of others to fall upon us when we have done wrong; but Jesus, asked for forgiveness for those, worthy of punishment, by taking the punishment due upon Himself although He had done no wrong, whose blood still now “speaks better than the blood of Abel.” (Heb 12:24) As David poured out the water, figuratively, turned blood, of the men who jeopardized their lives to get it (2 Samuel 23:17); so the lifeblood of Jesus, how much more precious, was not poured out in vain, but given to the nations to drink for eternal life to everyone who believes (John 6:24). Anyone who drinks blood under the Law of Moses perished, but Christ says, “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life.” (Jhn 6:54)
David, although king of Israel, strong and mighty, he was on record saying, "I am soft today, though anointed king.” (2Sa 3:39) And he said, "I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes. (…)” (2Sa 6:22) For although there is no one greater than the king, he made himself low and humble. So likewise, who is greater than the Lord whom God exalted, who is the Lord of lords and the King of kings? Yet Christ says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Mat 11:29-30)
For although David was the king of Israel, he was humble; his humility and kindness was seen in what he did — he was constantly fighting against the harshness of his companions. As Abishai, a commander of the army of Israel, spoke, “Let me strike him (Saul) with the spear to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time." (1Sa 26:8) But David refused. And another time, “Let me go over now and cut off his head." (2Sa 16:9) And David remained far from their counsel; he said, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be an adversary to me?” (2Sa 19:22) For although David was a man of war, he fought a righteous warfare and did not delight in warfare and killing. As Christ Jesus was constantly reprimanding His close disciples saying, "Get behind Me, Satan!” (Mat 16:23) And when James and John said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" (Luke 9:54) He rebuked them, saying, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.” (Luke 9:55-56) And concerning warfare, Jesus said, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.” (Mat 26:52) For He fought the righteous warfare: for the Truth.
For to those who were near David, his actions were as though he hated them. For when Michal, David’s wife, spoke foolishly to David (2 Samuel 6:20-21), he responded faithfully to the LORD (and she was judged by God for speaking foolishly). And also, David was constantly reproving the commanders of his army, the sons of Zeruiah, although they were near to him. But to those who were far away from David, his actions were with love. For he treated with kindness Saul, son of Kish, although he persecuted him in the wilderness, trying to kill him. And after the victory over Absalom, David lamented loudly for his son Absalom when he died in battle, although Absalom was an enemy to him, rising up against him and betraying him. Just as Joab, the commander of his army, came to him and said, “Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who today have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines, by loving those who hate you, and by hating those who love you. For you have shown today that princes and servants are nothing to you; for I know this day that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.” (2Sa 19:5-6) For, David wept loudly for his son Absalom when he was killed. Furthermore, David writes in the Psalms concerning his actions towards his enemies:
“As for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, And my prayer kept returning to my bosom. I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother. But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing. Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth.” (Psa 35:13-16)
For David resembled Christ in this way: he reproved those who were near him and loved those who were far away from him.
As Jesus said on the cross to those crucifying Him, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luk 23:34) As Jesus taught the multitudes, “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Mat 5:44-46) But when His mother and His brothers searched for Him, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." (Mat 12:49-50) For He loved those who were estranged from them; and, as it seemed, He hated those who were near to Him. As He says, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luk 19:10) And He says, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mrk 2:17) And as He taught, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luk 14:26) So Christ shows forth the Way perfectly.
David looked for a dwelling place for his family while running from Saul; in Moab he asked the king, "Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me." (1Sa 22:3) So David, in his distress, even sought for his family, honoring his father and his mother. And Christ in His distress on the cross provided for His own mother. As it is written by the apostle John in his gospel, “When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.” (Jhn 19:26-27)
And because of David’s righteousness, he was a light to Israel, highly esteemed among his companions, among all of Israel. As David’s army said, "You shall not go out again with us to battle, so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel." (2Sa 21:17) And, "You should not go out; for if we indeed flee, they will not care about us; even if half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us." (2Sa 18:3) So how much more Christ, who came proclaiming, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." (John 8:12) For He was reckoned, not as one thousand men, but all men, living and dead, for He, being one, died for all. And through His death, He works victory to all, to everyone who believes.
For David was a mighty man of valor, and he escaped death many times by the saving hand of God. He escaped from Saul when he was within arms reach; for Saul threw a spear at him while he was playing on the harp. And when he sought to kill him at the house of Michal, he was led down out of the window, and “Michal took the household idol and laid it on the bed, and put a quilt of goats' hair at its head, and covered it with clothes.” (1Sa 19:13) So David escaped. He escaped the hands of the Philistines many times, and from his own people who went to foreign towns to seek for his life. God preserved him. God preserved him from the giant who sought to kill him (2 Samuel 21:16), not to mention Goliath whom he slew. And so likewise, Jesus was spared until the time of His departure, until the appointed time set by the Father, the time for which He came into the world. “The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.” (Jhn 10:31) And another time, “They got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.” (Luk 4:29) And again, they tried to entrap Him by His words to hand Him over to the Herodians (Matthew 22:16). Yet God preserved His life until the appointed time.
And David after he plundered those who plundered him, (I am speaking of the Amalekites) he returned to the men who kept the supplies with the spoil they recovered. For there were certain men, two hundred, who were weary and stayed behind with the supplies. When David returned to them with the plunder, certain men said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart." (1Sa 30:22) But David, being a man after God’s own heart, said, “Who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.” (1Sa 30:24) So that day David treated the one who did not go to war as the one who went to war. For the men gained victory by the hand of the LORD, and “if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (1Co 12:26) So they all shared in the victory of the LORD equally, for they are one body. And the last was made first and the first, last — so there would be equality.
And likewise, Jesus Christ taught frequently, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;” (Mat 20:26-27) And through a parable, He taught that one who labors at the last hour of the day is treated equally with the one who worked in the scorching heat of the day (Matthew 20:12-13). As He speaks in the parable: “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?” (Mat 20:15) So Christ, being generous, will recompense equally those who serve in His kingdom, whether small or great, whether last or first; the small will be treated as great and the great as small. The smallest member will receive greater honor and the largest member will be treated will lesser honor — so that there may be equality.
And concerning David’s kingdom, men whom he did not know came to serve him. They came to him bearing gifts, seeking his favor. As it is written, “Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and they built a house for David.” (2Sa 5:11) As it also says concerning this: “Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.” (2Sa 8:10) And as David writes in the Psalms, saying, “You have kept me as head of the nations; A people whom I have not known serve me.” (2Sa 22:44) For it is fitting for men to bring gifts to those who are held in honor. How much more Jesus Christ, who was born into the world and as an newborn received gifts from men? And at the coming of His Kingdom and rule, all the nations will come bearing gifts to the Holy Mountain. As it is written, "Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. (…) The abundance of the sea will be turned to you, The wealth of the nations will come to you. A multitude of camels will cover you, The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba will come; They will bring gold and frankincense, And will bear good news of the praises of the LORD.” (Isa 60:3-6) And as it also says in the Psalms, “The kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Yea, all kings bow down before him, All nations serve him.” (Psa 72:10-11) As the LORD God says, “I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory.” (Hag 2:7)
The promise which was given to David spoke this way: saying,
The LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you. When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever. (2Sa 7:11-16)
When the LORD says, “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” It is evident that this does not apply to David’s kingdom since His kingdom did not remain forever. As it is written in the Psalm of Ethan the Ezraite:
“Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. His descendants shall endure forever And his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established forever like the moon, And the witness in the sky is faithful. Selah. But You have cast off and rejected, You have been full of wrath against Your anointed. You have spurned the covenant of Your servant; You have profaned his crown in the dust.” (Psa 89:35-39)
When He says, “You have spurned the covenant of Your servant; You have profaned his crown in the dust,” it refers to when Judah was taken into exile to Babylonia and the kingdom of David came to an end.
So it is evident, when the LORD promised, “I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.” (2 Samuel 7:11) And, “Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. His descendants shall endure forever And his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established forever like the moon, And the witness in the sky is faithful.” (Psalm 89: 35) The promises did not pertain to Solomon, a descendant of David, but a future offspring to come. So David, seeing the corruptible cannot inherit the incorruptible, prophesied by the Holy Spirit saying, “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.” (Psa 16:10) And, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." (Psa 110:4) So it is evident, there is one to come from David who is also greater than David, for David calls Him, “Lord”; and He is to remain and rule forever, bringing up the ash heap of the kingdom of David to eternal glory; as the LORD GOD says, "In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old;” (Amo 9:11) And, “As for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come—Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.” (Mic 4:8)
And in the days of Jeremiah, the prophet of the LORD, in his days, the kingdom of David and the southern kingdom of Judah went into captivity to Babylon. And Jeremiah spoke to the children of Judah faithfully during the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah; he spoke this way to Zedekiah, son of David, saying, “I will give over Zedekiah king of Judah and his servants and the people, even those who survive in this city from the pestilence, the sword and the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their foes and into the hand of those who seek their lives; and he will strike them down with the edge of the sword. He will not spare them nor have pity nor compassion." (Jer 21:7) And He spoke in this way concerning the previous kings, who went out into exile to Babylon: concerning Jehoahaz, also known as Shallum, the LORD says, "He will never return there; but in the place where they led him captive, there he will die and not see this land again.” (Jer 22:11-13) And concerning Jehoiakim, He says, "He will be buried with a donkey's burial, Dragged off and thrown out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.” (Jer 22:19) And concerning Jehoiachin, also known as Coniah, He says, "As I live," declares the LORD, "even though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were a signet ring on My right hand, yet I would pull you off.” (Jer 22:24)
So it is evident, since Zedekiah was the last descendent to rule as king of the house of David, and the LORD rejected him, and all the kings that went into exile before him were also rejected, that there remained still yet another to come. For if any one of the previous descendants of David were the Seed prophesied about, there would be no need to seek another. After Zedekiah, the temple in Jerusalem was burned with fire and Judah was taken into captivity. So there remained no-one after him to reign on David’s throne. Yet God promised an offspring of David to rule on David’s throne forever. This is why, in those days, the LORD God declared through the prophet Jeremiah: "Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness.” (Jer 23:5-6) And now we see Jesus Christ, from the house of David, the Righteous Branch, who came and accomplished great feats with mighty working strength; and at the appointed time, died for our sins according to the foreknowledge and predetermined plan of God; God, having also exalted Him from the dead, raising Him from the grave, seated Him at the right hand of power on high, making angels and authorities and powers subjected to Him (1Pe 3:22), “waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.” (Heb 10:13) As it is told in the Psalms, “The LORD says to my Lord: Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." (Psa 110:1)
For our hope is in heaven, from which we await our blessed Savior and the power of His coming, when He comes “With the clouds of heaven” (Dan 7:13), with the mighty hosts of heaven, bringing salvation to those who eagerly await Him and love the appearing of His coming. He will recompense the ungodly according to their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, punishing those who “do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2Th 1:8) “These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.” (2Th 1:9-10) For just as David was raised up to save the people Israel, as the LORD says, "By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.” (2Sa 3:18) So Jesus came to save the people from their sins and bring in eternal salvation to everyone who believes. "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant— As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US;” (Luk 1:68-71)
For some of the Jews, during the days of Christ, seen that Jesus was the Prophet that Moses wrote about; and others who received healing in their bodies seen that He was the Son of David promised to come: as the two blind men followed Him and cried out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" (Mat 9:27) And as a Canaanite woman cried out, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed." (Mat 15:22) And two other blind men cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" (Mat 20:30) And when they were told to be quiet, they shouted all the louder, for they were convinced Jesus was the One from David to come. And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, His disciples cried out, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!" (Mat 21:9) For these all believed Jesus was the Son of David who was promised to come into the world at the appointed time — He who is called Christ and Messiah. He is King and Priest of the Most High God. He will come again to establish His kingdom which will have no end: ”In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD before them.” (Zec 12:8) And for this reason it says: “The sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.” (Hos 3:5)