The article "Of David" by Don Fortner addresses the theological doctrine of justification by faith, highlighting the example of David as a "man after God's own heart." Fortner argues that David's commendation is not rooted in his personal righteousness but rather in his faith in Christ, the Lord our Righteousness. The author cites Hebrews 11:32-34, 1 Samuel 13:14, and Acts 13:22 to illustrate that David's faith and God's grace are essential to understanding his character, despite his well-known sin. The practical significance lies in illustrating that like David, all believers are sinners saved by grace, emphasizing the imputation of Christ’s righteousness and the transformative power of faith in the lives of God's elect.
Key Quotes
“That which made David a man after God's own heart was not his personal righteousness but his faith in Christ who is the Lord our Righteousness.”
“Like you and me, David's only righteousness was the righteousness of God imputed to him.”
“David stood on the field of battle representing the whole nation of Israel... Our Lord Jesus Christ representing the whole of God's spiritual Israel conquered Satan as our Representative.”
“By the preaching of Christ crucified our God still defeats his foes and saves his people.”
What does the Bible say about David's faith?
The Bible describes David as a man after God's own heart, highlighting his faith in Christ as the foundation of his righteousness.
1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22, Romans 4:8
How do we know that David was a man after God's own heart?
David's designation as a man after God's own heart comes from his profound faith and the grace he received through Christ.
1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 17:46-47
Why is David's victory over Goliath significant for Christians?
David's victory over Goliath symbolizes Christ's triumph over sin and Satan, representing the ultimate deliverance of God’s elect.
1 Samuel 17:46-47, 1 Samuel 21:9-10
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: - Hebrews 11:32“Of David”
“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell…of David" Hebrews 11:32
It was not Paul’s purpose here to direct our attention to all the wonders of David’s remarkable life, but to the remarkable conquests of his faith in Christ. David alone is that man who is described by the Lord God as a man after his own heart (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). That which made David a man after God’s own heart was not his personal righteousness, but his faith in Christ, who “is the Lord our Righteousness.”
There is no need, here, for me to mention David’s great sin. That matter is recorded plainly in the Scriptures and is well known by almost all men the world over. Even the man after God’s own heart, while he lived in this world, was a sinner. He was, like all God’s elect, a man blessed of God, to whom the Lord would not impute sin, redeemed and forgiven by the blood of Christ (Rom. 4:8). Like you and me, David’s only righteousness was the righteousness of God imputed to him. As with us, the Lord God wisely and graciously overruled David’s sin for his good, the glory of his own great name, the accomplishment of his purpose, and the everlasting salvation of his elect. It must never be forgotten that Solomon, through whom Christ came into the world, was the son of David and Bathsheba (Ps. 76:10). David’s experience of God’s grace in forgiving his sin made his sin bitter to him and made his Savior precious (Ps. 32 and 51).
Perhaps the Holy Spirit has particular reference to David’s victory over Goliath (1 Sam. 17). When David was just a teenage boy, totally inexperienced in combat of any kind, he engaged Goliath in the name of God. Armed with nothing but a sling and a few small rocks, David went to war with the mighty giant of the Philistines, and cut off Goliath’s head with his own sword
How did he accomplish this? How do we explain his courage, his boldness, and his victory? David had the revelation of God’s own Word of promise (1 Sam. 17:46-47). He believed God’s Word, resting upon it with implicit confidence, and acted accordingly. By faith he ventured; by faith he overcame.
David was, in this, as in many other acts of his life, an eminent type of Christ. David stood on the field of battle representing the whole nation of Israel, conquered Goliath, and delivered Israel out of the hand of the Philistines single handedly. Our Lord Jesus Christ, representing the whole of God’s spiritual Israel, conquered Satan as our Representative and saved all the hosts of God’s elect from all their souls’ enemies single handedly. As David used Goliath’s own sword to cut off his head, so our omnipotent Redeemer, by his death upon the cross, defeated Satan. As David said of Goliath’s sword, “Give me it, there is none like it” (1 Sam. 21:9-10), we ought to say concerning the message of the cross. By the preaching of Christ crucified, our God still defeats his foes and saves his people.
Comments
Your comment has been submitted and is awaiting moderation. Once approved, it will appear on this page.
Be the first to comment!