David, the man after God’s heart (continued)
David was a lovely, loving and loveable person. He knitted close friendship with Jonathan, the king’s son, and as a result was privy to information that saved his life. Every attempt on his life was foiled as Saul gave pursuit. During his reign he succeeded in reuniting the southern and the northern kingdoms of Israel. He was a warrior par excellence; he fought and won many battles with his fighting men against hostile neighbours. He brought back home the Ark of the Covenant that the Philistines, Israel’s arch enemy, had captured.
David is well known for authoring most of the psalms, as an inspired musician and a prolific song writer. What he is remembered by is his charismatic nature – for example dancing in the presence of his God though a king. Like a magnet, he pulled many people to him. His desire was to build a temple for the Lord but God asked him to leave that assignment to his son Solomon, because his hands were bloody. In his life time, David held three positions - priest, king and prophet. This was somebody who hailed from the backside of the woods in isolation tending sheep but rose to be the greatest king of Israel – from rags to riches. From his lineage sprung the Messiah – known also as the Son of David. All this because God chose him.
Esther
Esther was just an ordinary Jewish orphaned girl living in exile in Babylon with her uncle Mordecai. The reigning queen Vashti had been banished by King Xerxes for disobeying his orders and a replacement was advised by the king’s wisemen.the king’s orders
