Series Details
Shepherd, musician, warrior, poet, patriarch, king . . . talk about a wide-ranging life! But perhaps David’s most telling and astonishing description came from none other than God who said David was a man after His own heart.
Pastor Chuck Swindoll takes a deep look in this 24-part series at the faith journey of King David . . . a journey that proves equally fascinating and instructive for all who walk on the same path of faith today.
David’s life was one of incredible range, spanning from the lonely hills of Bethlehem to the royal palace in Jerusalem. He was a musician who soothed a king, a warrior who toppled a giant, and a poet who articulated the deepest cries of the human soul. Yet, David was also a man of deep passions and significant failures. In this 24-part series, Chuck Swindoll explores the faith journey of the man God chose to lead His people. We see how God takes a “nobody” and refines him through obscurity, cave-dwelling, and even his own moral collapses to fulfill a divine destiny. David’s story proves that God is not looking for perfection, but for a heart that is fully turned toward Him.
God’s Heart, God’s Man, God’s Ways
Sermon Summary What people deem praiseworthy rarely aligns with God’s perspective. While King Saul was impressive in stature, he did not impress God. This opening message explores the divine selection of David—an obscure, rugged youth. We learn that God “looks at the heart,” seeking a specific quality of character over external credentials. David’s life begins with the foundational truth that God’s ways are not our ways, and His choices are often the most surprising.
Key Facts & Themes
- Divine Selection: Understanding why God chose the youngest son of Jesse.
- The Heart vs. Appearance: Re-evaluating what makes a leader truly “great” in God’s eyes.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Samuel 16
A Nobody, Nobody Noticed
Sermon Summary Before the crown, there was the crook—the shepherd’s staff. This message focuses on David’s years of obscurity in the fields of Bethlehem. While he was a “nobody” that even his own family overlooked, God was using that time to build his character and courage. We learn that God values the hidden seasons of life, using the faithfulness in small, uncelebrated tasks to prepare us for larger responsibilities.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Value of Obscurity: Why God uses hidden years to refine His servants.
- Faithfulness in the Small: David’s preparation through sheep-tending and protecting the flock.
David and the Dwarf
Sermon Summary Goliath stood over nine feet tall, but from David’s perspective, the giant was a “dwarf” compared to the living God. This message explores the famous battle in the Valley of Elah. Chuck discusses the source of David’s confidence—it wasn’t in his sling, but in the name of the Lord of Hosts. We learn that our “giants” lose their power when we view them through the lens of God’s greatness rather than our own limitations.
Key Facts & Themes
- Perspective in Battle: How a big view of God shrinks our biggest problems.
- Courage in Conviction: Stepping out in faith when others are paralyzed by fear.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Samuel 17
Every Crutch Removed
Sermon Summary Success often leads to a season of stripping. As Saul’s jealousy grew, David found himself fleeing for his life, losing his position, his mentor, and even his wife. This message addresses the painful seasons when God removes our “crutches”—the things we lean on instead of Him. We see David forced into total dependence on God, discovering that when everything else is gone, the Lord is more than enough.
Key Facts & Themes
- Total Dependence: Why God allows us to lose our earthly securities.
- The Refiner’s Fire: How isolation and loss deepen our spiritual roots.
For Cave Dwellers Only
Sermon Summary In the Cave of Adullam, David found himself leading a band of “distressed, indebted, and discontented” men. This message focuses on the seasons of life when we feel trapped or hidden. Chuck explores the psalms David wrote during this time, showing how the “cave” became a place of deep worship and leadership development. We learn that God often does His most significant work in the dark, restricted places of our lives.
Key Facts & Themes
- Worship in the Dark: Using trials as a catalyst for prayer and song.
- Unlikely Leadership: How God used David to transform a group of outcasts into mighty men.
The Case of the Open Window Shade
Sermon Summary At the height of his success, David experienced his most tragic fall. This message examines the account of David and Bathsheba. Chuck discusses the “slippery slope” of compromise—from idleness to lust to cover-up. We see that even a man after God’s own heart is not immune to temptation, and the consequences of sin are far-reaching and devastating.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Danger of Idleness: How success can lead to a spiritual “blind spot.”
- The High Cost of Sin: Recognizing the impact of hidden choices on families and nations.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 2 Samuel 11
Confrontation!
Sermon Summary For a year, David lived in the shadows of his unconfessed sin—until Nathan the prophet arrived. This message focuses on the power of biblical confrontation and the beauty of repentance. We learn that God loves us too much to let us stay in our sin, often sending a “Nathan” into our lives to speak the truth in love. David’s response—”I have sinned against the Lord”—marks the start of his restoration.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Role of a Nathan: The necessity of accountability in the life of a leader.
- True Repentance: The difference between being “caught” and being truly broken before God.
Grace in a Barren Place
Sermon Summary One of the most beautiful pictures of grace in the Old Testament is David’s treatment of Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan. This message explores how David sought out a “nobody” in a barren place to show him kindness for someone else’s sake. It serves as a powerful illustration of God’s grace toward us—inviting the broken and unworthy to sit at the King’s table.
Key Facts & Themes
- Extending Grace: Reflecting God’s kindness to the vulnerable.
- A Seat at the Table: Understanding our own standing before God through the lens of Mephibosheth.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 2 Samuel 9
The End of an Era
Sermon Summary The series concludes with the final days of David’s reign. As the era comes to an end, we see David passing the torch to Solomon and offering his final words of wisdom. Chuck reflects on the legacy of a man who, despite his many flaws, never stopped returning to his God. David’s life reminds us that finishing well is not about a perfect track record, but about a persistent pursuit of God’s heart until the very end.
Key Facts & Themes
- Finishing Well: The marks of a life successfully completed for God.
- Legacy of a Worshiper: Why David is remembered for his heart more than his crown.
