GOATs of the Old TestamentSample

Is King David the GOAT in the Bible?

If you put together the string of victories like David AND you wrote most of the poems contained in the Bible AND you were called a “man after God’s own heart” by God Himself; you would think you had a chance at being the GOAT. Did he fulfill his calling and potential? Read on…

Career Stats and Highlights:

• Killed a bear and a lion while a teenager
• Killed, Goliath, the MVP of Israel’s rival, with a SLINGSHOT!
• Played music for King Saul in the palace
• Wrote much of the poetry in the Bible
• Anointed to be king while still a young man
• Israel flourishes under his 40-year rule as king
• God predicts that through David's descendants the Messiah will come and that David’s throne will last forever.

David had an amazing string of victories causing girls to dance in the street praising him. Even as the nation was thriving King David “takes his eye off the ball” and sins horribly. He commits adultery with Bathsheba. When he could not cover it up, he murders her husband, who also is one of David’s top generals and a close friend. To make matters worse, he does not repent until Nathan exposes him and predicts God’s discipline.

David does finally repent and writes one of the most well-known poems of confession and restoration in all of Scripture, Psalm 51.

Have you ever seen an athlete or team achieve an amazing victory, followed by a tragic defeat? One that comes to mind is the Seattle Seahawks in the 2015 Super Bowl. The Seahawks dominated the 2013-14 season and crushed the Broncos in the 2014 Super Bowl, 43-8. The next season they dominated and got to the Super Bowl. If you’re a Seahawk fan you probably want me to stop typing – the memory is too painful…

The 'Hawks were up by 10 points in the 4th quarter. Tom Brady (possible NFL GOAT) throws 2 touchdown passes and with about a minute left in the game, the Hawks are now losing by 4. Russell Wilson throws a long pass that his receiver catches while lying on his back – who does that? The Seahawks have 2nd and goal from the 1 yard line with the best short yardage running back in the NFL in their backfield. Everyone watching knows what is going to happen. The Hawks have 3 downs to hand the ball off and pick up 1 yard and they repeat as Super Bowl Champions. Instead they decide to pass and an undrafted rookie free agent intercepts Wilson’s pass and in the blink of an eye they go from an amazing victory to a tragic defeat.

King David learned that the only way to flourish amidst the highs of amazing victories and the lows of tragic defeats is to live by this principle…

In life’s amazing victories and tragic defeats, run to and delight in the Lord.

Developing David’s GOAT qualities in You:

1. List a few teams or individuals who have had amazing victories followed by tragic defeats.
2. What amazing victories have you seen in your life/sports?
3. What tragic losses have you experienced?
4. What Scriptures will you run to in victory and defeat?