Most kids know David as the shepherd boy who beat Goliath, and later as the king of Israel. But David was also a musician. He played the harp, wrote songs, and poured out his heart to God in music. Many of those songs are in the book of Psalms.
A Shepherd Boy God Chose
David was the youngest son of a man named Jesse. When God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse's family to anoint the next king, David wasn't even in the house:
"'There is still the youngest,' Jesse replied. 'But he's out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.'" (1 Samuel 16:11)
David's older brothers looked more like kings, but God told Samuel something important:
"People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
Samuel anointed David with oil, "and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on" (1 Samuel 16:13).
Writing Songs in the Fields
As a shepherd, David spent long days leading his sheep along quiet streams. He used that time to talk to the Lord and write songs. One of his most famous songs uses the picture of a shepherd to describe God:
"The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams." (Psalm 23:1–2)
David knew how a good shepherd cares for his sheep, because he was one. He knew God cared for him the same way.
Music That Brought Peace
David became known for his music. When King Saul was troubled, one of his servants recommended David:
"One of Jesse's sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player." (1 Samuel 16:18)
So David came to play for the king:
"And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away." (1 Samuel 16:23)
Songs for Sad Days
David didn't only write happy songs. He wrote sad songs too, to tell God how he really felt. When David heard that King Saul and his best friend Jonathan had died in battle, he was heartbroken:
"Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan." (2 Samuel 1:17)
You can read David's song in 2 Samuel 1:19–27. It shows that we can bring our sad feelings to God, not just our happy ones.
Songs of Praise
David also wrote songs to celebrate what God had done. After God protected him again and again, David wrote a song of thanks:
"David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul." (2 Samuel 22:1)
In that song, David praises God as his rock, his fortress, his shield, his place of safety, and his Savior (2 Samuel 22:2–3).
Questions to Talk About Together
- David talked to God while he took care of his sheep. Where is a good place for you to talk to God?
- David wrote songs when he was happy and when he was sad. How can you tell God how you're feeling?
- If you wrote a song to God, what would you want to thank Him for?
David is one of more than 45 character profiles in The Discovery Bible. Each profile tells a person's story in a few short paragraphs and lists the verses behind it, so kids can find and read the full account in the NLT.