"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."
KNOW IT
The life of King David is another tremendously thrilling story in the Old Testament. David was the greatest of the kings of Israel. When Saul, the first king of Israel, disobeyed God, God withdrew His favor from him. God sent the Prophet Samuel to anoint one of the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem—his youngest son, David. Soon after, when Saul was troubled, his courtiers told him to send for David. David came and played to the king on his lyre (a musical instrument). David became one of the royal armor-bearers.
At this time, Israel and the Philistines were at war. The giant Goliath challenged the Israelites, saying he would fight any Hebrew champion in single combat. David volunteered to fight Goliath. He refused to wear armor, even refusing the king’s own armor, and killed Goliath.
All of Israel loved David and Saul set him over the entire army. Soon, however, his popularity made Saul fearful. King Saul began to plot to kill David. Saul’s son Jonathan helped David to escape from the king. For a long time, David fled. More than once, when he found himself in a position where he could have killed King Saul, he did not do it, for he would not kill the king anointed by God.
When Saul and his sons died in battle, David was anointed king of Israel. He brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city of Jerusalem, and danced and sang before the people. The prophet Nathan told David that God had made a covenant with him, and “your throne shall be established forever”. This was a prophecy about Jesus Christ, who was born in the lineage of King David.
David won many victories over the enemies of the Israelites. Several of his sons rebelled against him. He died at the age of 70 after reigning 40 years. The next king of Israel was David’s son Solomon. On his deathbed, David bade his son walk in the ways of God always.
A special note from Fr. David (who has a personal connection to King David!):
King David had a humble start as the youngest son in his family, but God chose him to be anointed by the prophet Samuel, while his seven older brothers and his father watched. David was not perfect. After David was made King, he enjoyed his power and made some very poor and sinful choices. Still, God forgave David because David admitted his sin, accepted responsibility, and returned to do God’s will. Saints are not always perfect, but they are faithful and try to let God use them for God’s own plan. Jesus is called “Son of David,” not only because he was from the royal family line of David, but also because God promised through prophets that the Messiah would sit on the throne of David. God used David in the plan to prepare for the Savior and King of us all. Jesus, the Son of David, is now the King not only of Israel, but of the Universe!
Video for younger students (skips the beheading of Goliath!)
Video for grades 4 and up (with beheading included)
PRAY IT
Prayer of King David (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)
Blessed may you be, O Lord, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity. Yours, O Lord are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory. For all in heaven and on earth is yours; yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor are from you, and you have dominion over all. In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all. Therefore, our God, we give you thanks and we praise the majesty of your name.
PRACTICE IT
DISCUSS
- Read any of the parts of the story in the Old Testament or a children's Bible.
- God selected David to be king and sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint him from among the 8 sons of Jesse. Samuel thought one of Jesse’s older, bigger sons must surely be the chosen one, but God said to Samuel “. . . Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16: 7) What does this mean and why is it important? What is God telling Samuel about making choices? Give some examples of how we can “look at the heart”?
- Have you ever misjudged a situation or a person because you judged by appearances instead of what was true? What could you do to correct such a mistake and avoid it in the future?
- Who else in the Old Testament is the youngest, smallest son chosen by God to be a leader to God’s people?
- How was a small boy, armed with only a slingshot and a few stones, able to defeat a warrior?
- David was a shepherd and later became a king. How might the skills and traits of a shepherd make a good king? (Keep in mind that Jesus is also the shepherd of His people.)
PRACTICE
- Watch the following video:
- Think about what it might mean for you. What is your own “Goliath”, a difficult change you want to make in order to overcome a personal challenge? It might be a bad habit you need to stop, a sin you have trouble overcoming or a kindness you keep putting off. There are other possibilities. Make a plan for steps you might take to work on achieving your goal and, like David, pray and trust in God’s guidance.
- Throughout his life David responded to God’s call in many ways. Draw a series of pictures to illustrate some of the ways David served God and the Israelites.
- David’s life was not without sin, but he recognized his failings and repented for his wrongdoings and the harm they caused. Slowly, read and think about Psalm 51, the song of repentance David composed, admitting his guilt in sinning and asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness. This prayer has been set to music and is prayed especially during Lent and on Fridays, a day of penance in remembrance of Jesus’s crucifixion. Add it to your weekly prayers.
- From 1 Samuel 13:14 – “. . .The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and has appointed him commander of his people. . .” Draw a big heart and cut it out. On this “heart pleasing to God” write as many attitudes and behaviors you can think of that God would be pleased to see in your own heart. Circle the ones that you practice regularly.
- David is the author of the Psalms (songs, prayers) in the Bible. It is said that he danced to some of these in joy and celebration. Many of these prayers, or parts of them, are included in the readings during Mass. Listen for them. There is a wide variety. They are prayers of praise and glory to God, repentance, thanksgiving, instruction, petitions for protection and help in distress, and those expressing trust in God. Read the following Psalms throughout the week and see if you can identify which type of prayer each one is. Psalms: 46, 100, 121, 139, 148, 150.
- Write and illustrate a psalm of your own.
- Put your favorite Psalm to music -- either a tune you know or one you have composed. Dance to it as King David did.
- David had only the clothes of a shepherd, but he had the gift of faith in God. Faith protected him and gave him strength. David had put on the armor of God. The breastplate of righteousness is part of the armor of God that the Bible talks about in Ephesians 6:10-20. Verses 13-14 speak specifically of the breastplate of righteousness : Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Construct or draw your breastplate of righteousness. Add the prayers and other things that help you to stand firm against evil.