Introduction
Introduction · 1 Samuel 15–16
David and His Psalms
A man after God’s own heart, seen through his songs. We walk with David from the sheepfold to the throne and hear the psalms he wrote in each season of his life.
Brookfield Church of Christ · Brookfield, Illinois
October 7, 2026 · 9:30 a.m.
For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Class Overview
Songs Born in a Real Life
The Psalms are hymns, prayers and meditations written over many centuries, from about the 10th to the 5th century B.C., and roughly 73 of them are attributed to David. In this study we do not read them in number order, and we do not sort them by theme. Instead, we step back and follow David’s life, reading the history first, mostly in 1 and 2 Samuel, and then the psalms that grew out of that season.
David’s life was far from perfect, yet God called him a man after His own heart. As we watch him move from shepherd boy to fugitive, from king to penitent, and on to his elder years, we will see how his faith speaks to our own trials today. These psalms are poetry: they are meant to move us and change how we see God and ourselves.
Our first class opened in 1 Samuel 15 and 16. God rejected Saul, who obeyed the voice of the people instead of the voice of the LORD, and sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint the youngest son of Jesse, a boy who was out keeping the sheep.
How each lesson works
1
Read the history
Each lesson begins with a stage of David’s life in the historical books.
2
Hear the psalm
We read the matching psalms for their spirit, their appeal and their one underlying message.
3
Apply it
We discuss the lesson questions and carry the psalm into our own week.
Class Infographic
A Man After God’s Own Heart
The shape of the course, the three words that run through David’s psalms, and the turning point where our study begins.
73
psalms, roughly, attributed to David
13
lessons, each on a period of his life
5
seasons, from shepherd to elder king
3
anchor words: trust, praise, mercy
Five Seasons of David’s Life
The Shepherd
1 Samuel 15–17
A young man in his father’s pastures, chosen for his heart and anointed by Samuel.
Psalms 8, 19
The Fugitive
1 Samuel 18–30
Hunted by a jealous Saul for years, yet refusing to harm the LORD’s anointed.
Psalms 34, 52, 57, 142
The King
2 Samuel 1–10
Crowned at last, giving God the glory for every deliverance and victory.
Psalm 18
The Penitent
2 Samuel 11–12
After his greatest sin, a broken heart that teaches us how to repent.
Psalms 32, 51
The Elder King
1 Chronicles 22–29
Helping Solomon prepare for the temple, writing songs of praise and of God’s holiness.
Psalm 145
Three Anchor Words
Trust
Active faith in crisis. God is our personal shield and refuge; we rely on Him when earthly help fails and choose confidence over panic.
Praise
Awe, contemplation and adoration born in the pastures: wonder at God’s majesty and His law, and joy in worship.
Mercy
The unfailing, steadfast love of God, and His forgiveness for the broken and penitent.
Where We Begin: Saul Rejected, David Chosen
1 Samuel 15 · The people’s king
Saul
- Spared Agag and the best of the sheep God had told him to destroy
- “I feared the people, and obeyed their voice” (15:24)
- A pattern of unwillingness to submit, despite God’s longsuffering
- The Spirit of the LORD departed from him (16:14)
“To obey is better than sacrifice”
1 Samuel 15:22
1 Samuel 16 · God’s choice
David
- The youngest of Jesse’s sons, left out keeping the sheep
- Chosen because “the LORD looketh on the heart” (16:7)
- The Spirit of the LORD came upon him from that day forward (16:13)
- Served Saul with his harp and became his armourbearer (16:21–23)
Class Video
Watch the Lesson
Keep your Bible open to 1 Samuel 15 and 16 as you watch. Jump straight to any part of the discussion:
Apply it · Before next class
Lesson 1: “What Is Man, That Thou Art Mindful of Him?”
Psalm 8:4 · The rejection of Saul and the selection of David
Don’t try to tie every line to a piece of history. Listen for the spirit of each song and its one underlying message.
- Read the preface (pages A-1 to A-3), the Introduction to the Psalms, Our Plan of Study and Instructions for the Student.
- Read Lesson 1, pages 1-1 through 1-8.
- Study Psalm 8 (God’s majesty and human worth) and Psalm 19 (God revealed in creation and in His holy Scripture).
- Keep reading 1 Samuel 15–17 for the history behind these psalms.
- Answer the discussion questions; they are the same in the book and on the handout.
Who can you share Psalm 8 or Psalm 19 with this week?
Self-Evaluating Quiz
Test Your Knowledge
Ten questions from our first class. Choose an answer and you will see right away whether you are correct, with the passage to study.
0 of 10 correct
Answer all 10 questions to see how you did.
Self-Directed Study Game
Match the Verse
Pick a reference on the left, then pick the words it contains on the right. Every verse comes from our first class. Work at your own pace, check your Bible, and turn on the study hints if you get stuck.
Matched 0 of 8 · Misses 0
Start by choosing a reference on the left.
References
The words of Scripture (KJV)
Apply it
Saul listened to the people; David’s heart was set on God. Pick one of these verses, write it on a card, and read it each morning this week. Where are you tempted to obey another voice instead of the LORD’s?
Who can you share this verse with this week?
For reflection
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (KJV)