207 Second Saturday of Advent: King David

On the second Saturday of Advent, we remember King David.
The ornament for today should represent David when he was king of Israel (a shepherd with a staff).

The story of King David is found in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel in the Old Testament. David was the second king of Israel and is known for his military conquests, leadership, and faithfulness to God.

David's story as king begins after the death of King Saul. He was anointed as king of Judah and later became the king of all of Israel. David's reign was marked by military conquests, including the defeat of the Philistines and the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Despite his many successes, David also faced significant challenges and failures. He struggled with family conflicts, including the rebellion of his son Absalom.

Throughout his life, David demonstrated qualities of courage, faithfulness, and repentance. He trusted in God's strength to overcome obstacles and sought forgiveness when he fell short. He wrote many of the Psalms, which express his deep faith in God and his reliance on His guidance and protection.

Overall, the story of King David teaches us about the power of repentance and forgiveness, the importance of trusting in God's strength and guidance, the significance of courage and leadership, and the value of faithfulness to God. It encourages us to seek forgiveness when we fall short, trust in God's strength and guidance, lead with courage, and remain faithful to God in all circumstances.

For further reading, check out David the King in 2 Samuel 5–6.
David, Bathsheba, and Nathan in 2 Samuel 11–12
and David’s Later Years in 2 Samuel 19–24.