Title

The Biography of David

Scripture
These are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:
(2 Samuel 23:1)
Devotional
Here we have the condensed, but powerful biography of the one called “a man after God’s own heart.” In this one verse, biographic honor is first given to his parents, “David the son of Jesse.” His calling is then recognized: “the man raised up on high.” The source and heritage of his power is evident: “the anointed of the God of Jacob.” And his greatest accomplishment is shared: “the sweet psalmist of Israel.” Of all David’s accomplishments--killing the lion and the bear, defeating the Philistine giant Goliath, his countless victories and reign as Israel’s greatest king--what is given notice is that David was a worshipper and praiser of the most high God. Of all his words and deeds, the ones most recognized, memorized and repeated are his songs of praise and worship, the Psalms. There is little of greater significance that we can offer than our worship and praise of God. May they be our biography as well.
Text For The Day
2 Samuel 23:1: These are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel….
Thought For The Day

“In 1815 Napoleon was defeated in the battle of Waterloo, and the hero of that battle was the Duke of Wellington. The duke’s most recent biographer claims to have an advantage over all the other previous biographers. His advantage was that he had found an old account ledger that showed how the duke had spent his money: that, says the biographer, was a far better clue to what the duke thought was really important than reading his letters or his speeches. Can you imagine that? If someone wrote your biography on the basis of your checkbook or your income-tax return, what might it say about you, your loyalties, your focus, and about whom you serve?” Heidi Husted, “The Sermon on the Amount,” Preaching Today.

Questions To Ponder
 
Morning Study Guide
Defining:  “Biography”: The recorded history of the life and character of those created in the image of God. Are you recording yours for posterity? God is.
 
Referencing: “This is the history of Jacob,” Genesis 37:2.
 
Applying: Your life is worth journaling. How would you like to have a journal of your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents?