Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered: David, in Adversity

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David, the shepherd boy who became the king of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose life was marked by numerous instances of prayer, particularly during times of adversity. His prayers and their subsequent answers from God are recorded throughout the books of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, and the Psalms, providing a profound insight into the relationship between God and His chosen servant.

1. David's Flight from Saul

David's early life was fraught with danger as King Saul, driven by jealousy, sought to kill him. During this period, David frequently turned to God in prayer. One notable instance is found in 1 Samuel 23:10-12, where David, while hiding in Keilah, inquires of the Lord whether Saul would come down to seek his life. The Berean Standard Bible records, "Then David said, 'O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.' And the LORD said, 'He will come down.' Then David asked, 'Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?' And the LORD said, 'They will surrender you.'" In response to this divine guidance, David and his men departed from Keilah, thus escaping Saul's grasp.

2. David at Ziklag

Another significant moment of answered prayer occurred when David and his men returned to Ziklag to find it destroyed by the Amalekites, and their families taken captive. In 1 Samuel 30:8, David seeks the Lord's counsel: "Then David inquired of the LORD, 'Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?' And the LORD told him, 'Pursue them, for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.'" Encouraged by God's promise, David pursued the Amalekites, defeated them, and recovered all that had been taken.

3. David's Psalms of Lament and Deliverance

The Psalms, many of which are attributed to David, are rich with prayers that reflect his reliance on God during times of distress. Psalm 18 is a song of thanksgiving for deliverance from his enemies, including Saul. In verses 3-6 , David declares, "I called upon the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears." This psalm celebrates God's faithfulness in answering David's cries for help and delivering him from peril.

4. David's Repentance and Restoration

David's life was not without sin, and his prayer of repentance following his transgression with Bathsheba is a poignant example of answered prayer in adversity. In Psalm 51, David pleads for mercy and forgiveness, acknowledging his sin and seeking a renewed spirit. Verses 10-12 express his heartfelt petition: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence; take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit." God's response to David's contrition is seen in the continuation of David's reign and the eventual birth of Solomon, who would succeed him as king.

David's life exemplifies the power of prayer and God's readiness to answer those who earnestly seek Him, even amidst adversity. His prayers, recorded in Scripture, continue to inspire believers to trust in God's providence and faithfulness.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 118:5
I called on the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
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Psalm 138:3
In the day when I cried you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.
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Library

Prayer.
... to Abraham, in part to Moses, to Job, to David, to the ... us pray to Him the one prayer
which, unless prayer be a dream, is certain to be answered, because it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon iv prayer.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... we cry like sinking Peter, "Lord save, or I perish." Like David, we may ... put up a
thanksgiving on the ground that God has answered your prayer, you really ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

David's Deserts
... His disciples answered, that if the case of a man with ... But do not fancy that David's
own character did not ... It is a prayer for restoration, and that of the only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iv davids deserts.htm

Family Religion.
... of Job, and in the palace of David and Solomon ... the cross of Christ!" Upon them shall
be answered the prayer ... The same may be said of the family altar and prayer. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter iii family religion.htm

Be not Deceived; God is not Mocked.
... That prayer was answered. ... uprightness of heart at all times, and it will save him
an abundance of sorrow." We need to make the prayer of David""Create in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter ii be not deceived.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... Daniel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruch ... we asked, being persuaded that he has answered
our prayers ... absurd, therefore, to dissuade men from prayer, by pretending ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

The Fatherhood of God
... David was the son of God, but not more the son ... ways, in darkness and foolishness.'
Oh, my father,' answered the son ... the name of Jesus, and let thy prayer be a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the fatherhood of god.htm

Virtue must Never be Given up for the Sake of a Friend. ...
... unjustly reproached by his friends, he answered: "Pity me ... Holy David says well:
"Saul and Jonathan were lovely ... their friend, so that the prayer of friendship ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxii virtue must never.htm

The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed.
... There were some who answered to no part of it ... in requiring him to "be instant in
prayer"to pray ... David and Solomon were sad examples of the baleful effects of ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiv the character and.htm

Lives of Faith and Trust
... Jesus, glorious King of Light, Great Conqueror, David's heir, Come ... He answered, no,
he would not flatter me ... tool house, wrestled hard with God in prayer for the ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/lives of faith and trust.htm