David Of Old Testament Essay, Research Paper

David

Introduction

The personality that I identify with from the Old Testament is David. I was drawn to this character because of his sportsmanship. The universal principles that I learned from him are hard work, perseverance, respect, and pride. These characteristics affect my view of the world, my work, studies, relationships, and life. This paper specifically draws from David’s actions towards Saul, when Saul was trying to kill him.

What Draws Me To David

My main draw to David is his sportsmanship towards Saul. Saul was very jealous of David because the people of Israel loved him more than they loved Saul. His jealousy lead to Saul trying to have David killed many times. But do to David’s good sportsmanship he would not take the life of Saul when Saul was sleeping and unprepared for battle. David had more than one chance to take Saul’s life.

According to 1 Samuel 24:4, “Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.”(Bible) Verse 1 Samuel 26:7-8 says, “So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him. Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered up thine enemy into thy hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not smite him the second time.”(Bible)

David and I have the same sportsmanship qualities. I will not hurt someone when they are down just like David. Verse 1 Samuel 26:8 explains how I feel about revenge on someone. I think a person will get what they have coming when the time is right, just like David.

Principles Learned

Studying David taught me many important life lessons about sportsmanship. Hard work, perseverance, pride, and confidence are some key lessons I have learned over the last few weeks. Hard work is a value that David prided himself on. Weather it was playing the harp for king Saul, or tending his fathers sheep in Bethlehem, David always worked his hardest. Perseverance is also a key lesson that David taught me. He always trusted in God through the good and the bad and his faith never faulted. David was always very proud of who he was and whom he fought for. David was proud to be a servant of the lord and would sing his praise when something went right. The last characteristic of David that I respect is his confidence. David had more confidence than any other character in the bible. He had the confidence in himself to stand up to a giant, when all he had was a slingshot and a rock. For David to stand up to the giant, it took a lot of courage and sportsmanship.

Themes About World View

Worldview asks three questions. Where did we come from? What’s wrong with the world? How can we fix it? (Colson) The Christian worldview answers those questions this way; God created us; we have a fallen sinful nature; and we are redeemed through Jesus Christ.

Where did we come from? This question is in debate all over the world. The fight over Christianity vs. Naturalism shows us two totally opposite views. “Naturalism is the belief that natural causes alone are sufficient to explain everything that exists.”(Colson) While Christians believe in theism. “Theism is the belief that there is a transcendent God who created the universe.”(Colson) The bible makes that clear in Genesis 1:26 when God says, “let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”(Bible)

What is wrong with the world? When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, the fall started. The fall is defined as, “The original event whereby humankind chose to willfully disobey God, which resulted in separation from God, the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the spoiling of the rest of creation, and the curse of death.”(Thomas)

How can we fix it? Redemption is the only way to fix the fall. Redemption is defined as, “the act of Christ in dying for our sins to purchase our salvation.”

My View

“It’s ALL good” is a popular phrase that is an example of Relativism. David did not believe this way because he understood the differences between right and wrong. David did not believe in relativism because he thought that God’s thoughts were absolute and greater than his own. I do not believe in relativism because I know Gods’ wishes are more important than my own and God knows what is best for me. “The lines between right and wrong, true and false, sin and salvation blur easily. In general, ethical decisions are not dependent upon situations, but upon absolutes.”(Trade Life Books)

My Work

David showed great sportsmanship whether it was tending to the sheep, or playing the harp, or being king. He was always fair to his employer and never cheated them. I have had the same affect my jobs. I showed great sportsmanship at my after school jobs during high school. I was always honest at Blockbuster and the Gap when I was employed there.

My Studies

All Jewish men in David’s time studied the books of the Old Testament. His studies helped prepare him for his kingship later on in his life. Most Christian men in my time study the Bible for higher learning. My studies help me learn more about Jesus Christ and help me to become a better Christian on a daily basis.

Relationships

Relationships from those days were much different from ours of today. Through David’s mistakes in relationships, he provided an example of what not to do. He cheated on his wife and had someone killed, so he could sleep with his wife.

Life

David’s life was always driven by sportsmanship. This has encouraged me to live my life the same way. For example, David was always kind and put other people before himself. I have tried to take on that image for myself. Holding doors, waiting calmly in line, or letting people in front of me on the highway are a few small examples of putting others before myself.

Conclusion

In closing, what draws me to David is that David and I have the same sportsmanship values. We both feel it is wrong to kick someone when they are down and respect our opponent or opposition. David has showed me principle values like hard work, perseverance, pride, and confidence while I studied his life.

Thomas, Jim (2000) Coffeehouse Theology, Harvest House Publishers.

Colson, Charles (1999) How Now Shall We Live?, Tyndale House.

Trade Life Books (2000) Is That Your Final Answer?, Trade Life Books.

The Bible (1985) The Bible, Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Merrill, Eugene (1991) Historical Survey Of The Old Testament 2nd edition, Baker Book House.