THE MIND OF DAVID – AN EXAMPLE FOR US

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In 1993 the archaeologist Gila Cook, discovered a Canaanite stone record that made reference to the House of David. This was the first historical evidence that proved the existence of David. The story of David is told in the Bible from 1 Samuel Chapter 16, through all of 2 Samuel, to 1 Kings Chapter 2. While this presents us with the acts of David, the Psalms give us an understanding of David’s mind.

The Bible states in Acts 13:22 that David was a man after God’s own heart. What is God’s heart? A book can be written in response to this question. One of the answers is found in Matthew 22:37-38; Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment and replies, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.”

The Psalms show without doubt that David loved the Lord God, with all his heart and mind. There are 150 chapters in the Psalms and David wrote about 75 of them. In some Bibles like the New International Version (NIV), at the start of each chapter, you will be told if it is a Psalm of David or not. In some Bibles you will also be told what happened in David’s life before he wrote that particular Psalm.

Let’s consider Psalm 51; my NIV Bible says at the beginning of the Psalm – “For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.” This Psalm has 19 verses filled with David’s repentance and pleas to be forgiven, after he was informed by Prophet Nathan that God will judge him for his adultery with Bathsheba.

Let’s see David’s mind in Psalm 51:1-4 (NIV): “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.”

David did not curse God; did not try to justify his sin; did not run away from God. In the 19 verses of Psalm 51, David acknowledged that God is fair to judge him; he acknowledges that God is merciful, and in humility he sought forgiveness. This is a great example of how God wants us to relate with him.

Lord, teach us more about the heart and mind of David; help us to see so that we can copy, in Jesus name, Amen!