I was thinking to myself as the Thanksgiving weekend wraps up in 2012, who was the most thankful person in the Bible? Many characters come to mind... Abraham [God spared his son]; Jacob [God made from his seed many nations]; King Solomon [God gave him a kingdom]. Yes, the list goes on and on as many biblical characters would qualify in answering my question of who was the most 'thankful' person in the Bible.
Yet only one figure stands out among them... King David.
This is his story:
David was born into a lineage that can be traced back to Adam and Eve, and while the Bible tells us that he was the son of Jesse, there is no mention of his mother. However, the Talmud identifies Nitzevet, daughter of Adael, as David's mother. It is through his [David] royal lineage that a predicted Messiah would be born; the Abrahamic religions holds fast to this prophetic belief.
Isaiah 7:13-14 New International Version (NIV)
13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
From an early age David had an unprecedented awareness of the Creator's blessing, protection, presence and judgement in his life. He did not defeat Goliath without the assistance of a greater power nor did he win his many army victories alone. Even when he was inflicted with pain [caused by the Creator for his inquities], David naturally accepted the chastement and thanked [the Creator] for the correction. His words in the Psalms are concisely clear and have been preserved for all time.
Psalm 100:3-5 New International Version (NIV)
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Without a doubt, many of the Psalms gives one a glimpse into the 'thankfulness' that David experienced during his lifetime. One of the best recorded events is when King David successfully brought back the Ark of God to its rightful place in Jerusalem [which at that time was the united kingdom of Israel and Judah]. David's first attempt to retrieve the holy Ark was met with resistence (which cost Uzzah his life). David was angry because his loyal friend had perished that day, yet sorely afraid of the Creator and left it with Obed-Edom the Gittite (from the priestly tribe of Levi). Three months later David successfully retained the Ark of God and danced joyfully in the streets with praise for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
2 Samuel 6:12-15 New International Version (NIV)
2 Samuel 6:12-15 New International Version (NIV)
12 Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
David was thankful for many things the Creator bestowed upon him and was not afraid to show others his gratitude. David was an important figure in Judaism as he represented a coherent Jewish kingdom centered in Jerusalem and a restored kingdom that would one day usher in a messianic age by a descendant of David's. The concept of a Messiah in Christianity has already come and gone in the person named Jesus Christ, who will one day return to deliver Israel from their enemies and usher in a new kingdom on Earth. The Muslim tradition of David is that of a major prophet sent by Allah (God) who is mentioned many times throughout the Qur'an. The hadith stresses David's zeal in daily prayer, as well as his faithful fasting. The Muslims believe he had a powerful and captivating voice that had an influence over man, beast and nature alike.
King David continues to be revered by all three Abrahamic religions today.
Psalm 121 New International Version (NIV)
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
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