1. David Was Chosen and Anointed as King
The Lord rejected Saul as king over Israel and sent Samuel to anoint one of Jesse's sons. Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but the Lord said, "The Lord has not chosen these." Samuel asked, "Are all your sons here?" Jesse said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep." Samuel anointed David in the midst of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. Jesus was chosen and anointed by God. At His baptism, the Spirit descended upon Him, and the Father declared, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
2. David Was a Shepherd Who Cared for His Sheep
Before David became king, he was a shepherd. He told Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth." Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." David risked his life for his sheep; Jesus laid down His life for His sheep. David's shepherding points to the greater Shepherd who protects and saves His flock.
3. David Defeated Goliath, the Giant Enemy
The Philistine giant Goliath defied the armies of Israel for forty days. David came to the battlefront and said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" With a sling and a stone, David struck Goliath and killed him, delivering Israel from their enemy. Jesus defeated the greater giant—Satan, sin, and death. He disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them on the cross. David's victory over Goliath is a type of Christ's victory over the powers of darkness.
4. David Was Rejected by King Saul and Hunted as an Outcast
After David killed Goliath, the women sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." Saul became jealous and sought to kill David. David fled into the wilderness, lived in caves, and was hunted as an outlaw. Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders. They sought to kill Him. He fled from them, and ultimately He was crucified outside the city gates. David's rejection and suffering as an outcast point to the greater rejection and suffering of Jesus, the true anointed King.
5. David Was a Man After God's Own Heart
The Lord said of David, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will." David was not sinless. He committed adultery and murder. But he repented. His heart was inclined toward God. Jesus is the perfect Man after God's own heart. He always did the will of the Father. He never sinned. He perfectly delighted in the law of the Lord. David's heart points to the perfect heart of Christ.
6. David Brought the Ark to Jerusalem and Established Worship
David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and placed it in a tent he had prepared. He appointed Levites to minister before the Ark, to praise the Lord, and to offer sacrifices. He organized the worship of Israel. Jesus established true worship. He said, "The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." He is the true Ark. He is the place where God meets with His people. David's establishment of worship points to Christ, who brings believers into the presence of God.
7. The Davidic Covenant: An Everlasting Throne
The Lord made a covenant with David, saying, "Your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever." This covenant was unconditional. It promised an eternal king from David's line. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. The angel told Mary, "The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Jesus is the Son of David, the King who sits on David's throne forever.
8. David Wrote Psalms That Prophesied of Christ
David was the sweet psalmist of Israel. He wrote many psalms that prophesied of the Messiah. He wrote of the crucifixion: "They pierced My hands and My feet." He wrote of the resurrection: "You will not leave My soul in Sheol." He wrote of the ascension: "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand.'" Jesus quoted the Psalms and applied them to Himself. He said, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." David's psalms point to the suffering and glory of Christ.
9. David Was a Warrior King Who Conquered Enemies
David subdued the Philistines, the Moabites, the Syrians, the Edomites, and all the enemies of Israel. He established peace on every side. Jesus is the greater Warrior King. He conquered sin, death, hell, and Satan. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He rides forth on a white horse, and the armies of heaven follow Him. He will judge the nations and rule with a rod of iron. David's military victories are a type of Christ's final victory over all His enemies.
10. Jesus Is the Son of David and the Lord of David
Jesus asked the Pharisees, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said, "The Son of David." He said, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool" '? If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?" Jesus is both the Son of David (according to the flesh) and the Lord of David (according to His deity). He is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant and the King who reigns forever.
Conclusion
David was the anointed shepherd-king of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who defeated Goliath, was rejected by Saul, established worship in Jerusalem, received an eternal covenant, and wrote psalms that prophesied of the Messiah. All of these point to Jesus Christ, the greater Son of David. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Victor over sin and death, the Rejected King, the true Worship, the eternal King on David's throne, and the Lord of David. Let every believer trust in the Son of David, Jesus Christ, who reigns forever.