The Story
Mar 3, 2019 • Chris Reighley
The Story:
The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People
by Mac Lucado & Randy Frazee
The Story tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time!
God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!
David’s journey from shepherd to king reveals that God’s promotion comes through faithfulness in obscurity. But David’s life also teaches that spiritual failure—even in God’s chosen servant—has lasting consequences. Still, when repentance is real, mercy flows. God’s covenant endures, even through David’s brokenness, pointing forward to the coming Messiah.
Lesson 8: From Shepherd to King & The Trials of a King
Passages:
- 1 Samuel 16–18; 24; 31
- 2 Samuel 6; 11–12; 18–19
- 1 Chronicles 17; 22; 29
- Psalms 23; 32; 51; 59
Main Idea: God looks at the heart, not the height.
David’s journey from shepherd to king reveals that God’s promotion comes through faithfulness in obscurity. But David’s life also teaches that spiritual failure—even in God’s chosen servant—has lasting consequences. Still, when repentance is real, mercy flows. God’s covenant endures, even through David’s brokenness, pointing forward to the coming Messiah.
I. The Lord’s Anointed (1 Samuel 16)
- Samuel visits Jesse’s house in Bethlehem
- David is anointed king—the least expected, but God sees the heart
II. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
- Goliath mocks Israel; David responds in faith
- David defeats Goliath with a sling and stone—trusting the Lord, not armor
III. David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1–9)
- A covenant friendship formed
- Jonathan, the heir to Saul, pledges loyalty to David
IV. David and Saul (1 Samuel 18, 24; Psalm 59)
- Saul grows envious and hunts David
- David spares Saul’s life in the cave
- Psalm 59: David prays for deliverance
V. A Tragic End (1 Samuel 31; 2 Samuel 22)
- Saul and his sons die in battle on Mount Gilboa
- David laments their deaths
VI. Unashamed Worship (2 Samuel 6)
- David brings the Ark to Jerusalem
- His joyful, undignified worship honors God despite Michal’s scorn
VII. David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11)
- David sins: lust, adultery, murder
- He tries to cover it up through deception and manipulation
VIII. Conviction and Repentance (2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51)
- Nathan confronts David
- Psalm 51: David pours out a broken and contrite heart before God
IX. The Consequences of Sin (2 Samuel 12; Psalm 32)
- The child dies
- Violence erupts in David’s house
- Psalm 32: A reflection on the relief of confession and forgiveness
X. Absalom’s Rebellion (2 Samuel 18–19)
- David’s son rises in revolt
- Despite betrayal, David mourns deeply over Absalom’s death
XI. Solomon and Succession (1 Chronicles 22, 29)
- David prepares the materials for the Temple
- Solomon is chosen as king
- David blesses God publicly and offers final leadership to Israel
XII. A House for the Lord (1 Chronicles 17; 2 Samuel 7)
- David desires to build God a house
- God makes an eternal covenant: David’s descendant will reign forever
- David responds with humility and worship
XIII. The Shepherd’s Psalm (Psalm 23)
- A reflection on God’s provision, protection, and eternal care
- The shepherd king rejoices in the faithfulness of the true Shepherd
Key Themes & Takeaways
- God chooses leaders by character, not appearance
- Victory comes through faith, not might
- Sin carries real consequences—but grace restores the repentant
- Leadership is tested more in private failure than in public battle
- David points us to a greater King—Jesus, the true Son of David