David

The next character we will be studying is King David. The reality is we probably have more details and back story about David than anyone we do in the entire Bible. Because of this, we will be looking at several different episodes from David's life...if you are a reader and want an excellent book on David, then I would highly recommend 'Leap Over A Wall' by Eugene Peterson (the man who brought you the Message). It was a formative book in my own faith journey, and would be a good companion to our study over the next 3-4 weeks. I will certainly be pulling information from there.

The author Roy L. Laurin said this of David:

'Few men can stand to be great even as few men can stand to be rich. It is easier to bear mediocrity than magnificence...David's greatness began in smallness. It began at a time when he was overshadowed by seven brothers, all bigger than he. He was a pigmy among giants. He was a boy among men. He was small among the strong and stalwart. On the basis of assumption he did not have a chance.'

And so, here our story begins...

'Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminidab, Amminidab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse and Jesse fathered David.' (Ruth 4:18-22)

So, turn the page and keep reading in I Samuel 1...