- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible: The First Story (Genesis 1-2)
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #2): Warning (Genesis 3-11)
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #3): Promise of a Nation (Genesis 12)
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #4): Birth of a Nation (Exodus 1–14)
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #5): Real Freedom (Exodus 20)
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #6): Promised Land (Numbers 13–14)
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #7): Conquest (Joshua 1–6)
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #8): The Time of God’s Patience (Judges)
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #9): A Pagan Widow Gets It Right (Ruth)
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #10): First King
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #11): A Man After God’s Own Heart
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #12): The Scarlet Thread
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #13): City on a Hill
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #14): Divided Kingdom
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #15): Just a Regular Guy
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #16): Passing the Torch
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #17): A Farmer and a Plumb Line
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #18): The Fish Story
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #19): Unfaithful
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #20): Holy, Holy, Holy
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #21): A Tale of Two Kings
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #22): Reformation
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #23): Disappointed with Life
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #24): Tears
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #25): Homecoming
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #26): Between the Times
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible: Stories 1–26 Overview & Reflection
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #27): Savior Born
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #28): A Baby
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #29): A Real Live Human God
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #30): Wilderness
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #31): The Best Sermon Ever
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #32): Miracles
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #33): Transfiguration
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #34): Unconventional
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #35): Telling Stories
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #36): Jesus and Two Women
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #37): One Week to Live
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #38): Love and Feet
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #39): The Last Night
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #40): Crucifixion
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #41): Resurrection
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #42): The Sequel
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #43): The Room Upstairs
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #44): The Ends of the Earth
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #45): A Man Named Saul
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #46): For Gentiles
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #47): Conflict Resolution
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #48): Freedom
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #49): Love and War
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #50): Matter
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #51): Revelation
- The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible (Story #52): The Last Story
The second king of Israel, David, is one of the most prolific characters in the entire Bible. Whereas his father, Saul, was physically impressive and began his reign well, Saul’s insecurity and concern with appearances eventually got the best of him. He did not finish well. David, on the other hand, though physically unimpressive, was called a man after God’s own heart. He was not perfect, but spiritually uneven; his character was not thin, but complex. Yet, there was something utterly unique about King David compared to all other kings in Israel’s history: his honest relationship with God.
A true “contemplative in action” (as Jesus also was), David never wavered in his commitment to the living God; even when he committed grievous sin, he never made an excuse, but confessed and repented and returned to his Lord. Today, David is a rich model for our own devotional life, combining spiritual devotion and service/action.
Focus texts: 1 Samuel 16 & 1 Kings 2
This series is based on Ken’s coauthored book (with John Alan Turner), The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible. Purchase here.