The Life of DavidSample

Day 1: 1 Sam. 1-2 x Michael Miller, Founder + Senior Leader of UPPERROOM

Welcome to the Life of David Bible Study with UPPERROOM.

My hope and desire is to create community around God's word. Following NT24, we were so encouraged by the testimonies of people transformed by reading the New Testament. I believe the same will be true for everyone who engages this study on the life of David.

David's biblical resume is unlike anyone else in the Bible (other than Jesus). He is defined as a "man after God's own heart" who "fulfilled God's purposes for His generation" and one whom "Jesus Christ sits on the throne of David." Jesus is the root of David, which means all that we understand about David's life is to point us to the rule and reign of Jesus Himself.

As we read 1 and 2 Samuel over the coming month, I highly encourage you to read two other chapters alongside the assigned reading. In fact, if you can remember to read them daily, it would be very insightful for you to understand David’s life and dynasty.

The first chapter is Psalm 132. This chapter is about David's son, Solomon, recalling a vow that David made, most likely as a teenager. We don't have a written record of where/when this vow was made in David's life, but we know that David made it. In the vow, David swears to the Lord that he will use the strength of his days to establish a resting place for God on the earth. This desire would be all-consuming and (I believe) the reason why God put such grace on David's life and leadership. He would ultimately fulfill this vow, and it would be mostly recorded in 1 Chronicles 15 and onward.

The other chapter I want to highlight as we start this journey is 2 Samuel 7. This is the covenant God makes to David that his house, throne, and kingdom shall endure forever (2 Samuel 7:16). We will read this later in our study, yet you have to see how provoked the Lord was by David's vow in Psalm 132. This is crucial to your understanding of who David was before the eyes of the Lord.

Today's reading is a picture of the current state of Israel. Before a righteous king emerged, God set the stage for His plan to redeem His people. Eli was not the best of priests. Hannah was barren and longing for a son. Through Samuel's life, God would prepare the way for David's reign. Yet, it gets worse before it gets better.

Buckle up, commit to the plan, and let's go on this journey together. I'm elated that you would join our family as we dive into the Word.

We love you.