King David: An Analysis of the Archetypal Messiah

Introduction

King David, as depicted in Scripture, serves as a profound foreshadowing of Christ. He embodied the roles of priest, prophet, and king, offering a multifaceted reflection of the Messiah to come. Authoring over 70 Psalms, David’s writings are rich with some of the most renowned prophecies that point directly to our Lord Jesus Christ, revealing truths about His mission and divine nature.

David’s Initial Anointing

David was considered a mere shepherd boy (1 Samuel 16:11), overlooked by his family and those around him (1 Samuel 17:28). Yet, when King Saul (The Shadow of Saul: A Biblical Type of Satan’s Reign), the then reigning king of Israel, defied God’s commands (1 Samuel 15:24), the Lord chose to remove him and his seed from power forever (1 Samuel 15:28). God then sent the prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint David as the future king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1), marking the beginning of a remarkable transformation in his destiny.

When Samuel observed all of Jesse’s sons, he was confident that the next king must be among them. Yet, none were chosen by God. Upon asking if there were any other sons, it was revealed that Jesse had one more—a young shepherd named David. When David was brought before Samuel, God declared:

“Arise, anoint him: for this is he” (1 Samuel 16:12).

Samuel anointed David to be the future king of Israel, but David did not ascend to the throne right away. Instead, he returned to tending sheep (1 Samuel 16:19), just as he had done before.

From Anointing to the Crown

Many years would pass before David finally became king (1 Samuel 17:56; 2 Samuel 5:4. Although he had been chosen and anointed, Saul remained in power for several years, occupying the throne destined for David.

Over the years, Saul discovered that David had been chosen and anointed to succeed him as king. Consumed by jealousy and anger, Saul grew to despise David (1 Samuel 18:9) and relentlessly sought to take his life, pursuing him time and again (1 Samuel 27:1). So David had to stay in hiding, out of Saul’s sight. It was during this time that people that were distressed, discontented, and in debt gathered themselves to David and he became their captain (1 Samuel 22:2).

A day arrived when God brought Saul’s reign to an end, along with the life of his son Jonathan (1 Samuel 31:6), who could have been his successor.

King David’s First Crown of Judah

After Saul’s death, David sought guidance from the Lord about where he should go in Judah, and the Lord directed him to Hebron (2 Samuel 2:1). Obeying God’s instruction, David traveled to Hebron, bringing with him all those under his leadership. It was there, at the age of thirty (2 Samuel 5:4-5), that David was anointed king. However, his reign at that time was limited to the tribe of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4).

At the same time, Saul’s son Ishbosheth claimed authority over the northern tribes of Israel (2 Samuel 2:8-9). While David had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel to reign over all of Israel, including Judah, it would take more than seven years before his kingship was fully realized.

King David’s Second Crown of Israel

David ruled as king over Judah for over seven years until the death of Ishbosheth. Following this, the elders of Israel met with him in Hebron, where they established a covenant and anointed him as king over all of Israel (2 Samuel 5:3; 1 Kings 2:11). At last, David ascended to the throne ordained by God, governing the entire nation of Israel.

King David: A Man of War

King David was renowned as a mighty warrior and a man of war, chosen by God to lead His people and establish the kingdom of Israel. From the moment he defeated Goliath, David’s courage and skill in battle became evident, and his victories over his enemies were numerous and decisive. He fought valiantly against the Philistines, the Amalekites, and other adversaries, securing peace and prosperity for his nation. David’s reputation as a warrior surpassed even that of King Saul, as the people proclaimed, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Through his military conquests, David demonstrated unwavering faith in God and fulfilled his divine purpose as a leader who would protect and strengthen Israel.

King David Prepares to Build the Temple

King David, though deeply passionate about building a temple for God, was told by God that he would not be the one to construct it; instead, this task would fall to his son Solomon. Despite this, David dedicated himself to extensive preparations to ensure the temple’s success. He gathered vast quantities of resources, including gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and precious stones, from his own treasury and through alliances with neighboring nations. David also organized the Levites and priests to ensure proper worship and service in the temple. He provided detailed plans for its construction, inspired by the Spirit of God, and encouraged Solomon to follow through with the project. David’s efforts reflected his unwavering devotion to God and his desire to create a lasting place of worship for His people.

Analogies