The Life of David
Beeson Divinity School Chapel Series
Fall 2022
From the earliest days of the Christian church, David son of Jesse—a shepherd boy turned warrior turned Israel’s greatest king—has been hailed as one of the most important forerunners and types of Christ in Old Testament history.
On the day of Pentecost, Simon Peter spoke of David as a prophet who foretold the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who was born in the line of David to rule the world forever. In the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus’ mundane lineage is traced back to David, and his birth in David’s hometown is highlighted as well. In the gospel according to Luke, the angel Gabriel tells Mary that God would give her Son the throne of his royal father David. In the epistle to the Romans, Paul’s summary of the gospel features Jesus’ descent from David. This feature is repeated in Paul’s advice to Timothy. In the apocalypse of John, the risen Christ is depicted as the mighty Lion of Judah, the Root of King David who opens the scroll of God.
This list could be extended for a very long time. It has been, in fact, through the history of the church. David is clearly one of the most important people in the Bible. He receives more attention in Old Testament history than anybody else. He’s a linchpin of God’s cosmic history of redemption. But why is this the case? Who was this man? And what would the Lord have us learn from him today?
We will explore these questions in chapel this fall. By working through selections from I and II Samuel and tracking David’s life from his boyhood to his death, we will draw near to God, learn what He desires from those he uses as his servants, and look to Jesus Christ, who fulfills God’s covenantal promises to David, helps us to serve the Lord as leaders of his people, and rules the world forever at the Father’s right hand.
All services take place at 11 a.m. in Andrew Gerow Hodges Chapel.
Guests are welcome to participate in-person or virtually at beesondivinity.com/live or YouTube.com/BeesonDivinity.
Dean Douglas Sweeney will preach on I Samuel 16:1-13 about David being anointed by Samuel.
The Rev. Carolyn Moore will preach on I Samuel 17 about David defeating Goliath.
Dr. Robert Smith Jr. will preach on I Samuel 20 about David's friendship with Jonathan.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat will preach on I Samuel 24 about David sparing Saul’s life.
Dr. Will Kynes will preach on II Samuel 1 about David lamenting the deaths of Saul and Jonathan.
The Rev. Bryant Wright will preach as part of Go Global Missions Emphasis Week.
The Rev. Dr. Ted Traylor will preach on II Samuel 5 about David establishing his kingdom over the entire house of Israel and making Jerusalem his royal city.
The Rev. Dr. Ralph West will preach on II Samuel 6 about David bringing the ark of God to Jerusalem.
Dr. Paul House will preach on II Samuel 7 about God's covenant with David.
Dr. Ian McFarland will preach on Eph. 1:11-23, "What Jesus Wouldn't Do," as part of the school's annual Reformation Heritage Lectures.
The Rev. Dr. Gavin Ortlund will preach on II Samuel 11-12, "When Kings Avoid Battle,” as part of the school's annual Alumni Conference.
The Rev. Dr. Matt O'Reilly will preach on II Samuel 13-19 about Absalom's rebellion.
The recipient of the James Earl Massey Student Preaching Award will preach on II Samuel 23:1-7, the last words of David.
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, Anglican Archbishop of Rwanda, will deliver the commencement address.