Read: 1 Chronicles 11:1-14; Hebrews 2:17
Then all Israel gathered together to David. (1 Chron. 11:1)
Psychology Today once did a study of the coaching methods of legendary basketball coach John Wooden. They found that one of Wooden’s teaching methods was so novel they gave it a new name: scold/reinstruction. It consisted of scolding what the coach observed, but then instantly showing how to do the play right. Not this, but that!
If King Saul and his demise show us how not to live, the Chronicler immediately moves to the positive example of King David. The people wanted David as king because he had the same “bone and flesh” (v. 1). For Christians, King David is the most notable Old Testament royal ancestor of Jesus Christ “who was descended from David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3). David, who is of the same “bone and flesh,” reminds us of Jesus, who is also one with the people: “He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest” (Heb. 2:17).
Just as David was gathered to his people, we praise Jesus Christ for all that he’s done for us and all people. Not this—King Saul’s negative example, but that—King David, whose character finds fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. We long for the day when we’ll be gathered to Christ, and Christ shall be crowned Lord of all.
As you pray, name the various ways Jesus Christ is an example of faith and life.
About the Author
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland Michigan.
