# David — Olney Hymns character guide

> David in Olney Hymns by John Newton.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** young David

**First appearance:** 0002-book-i-on-select-texts-of-scripture

## Snapshot

The shepherd-king whose psalms and wilderness trials give voice to the believer's own grief, pain, and triumphant faith.

## Who they are

David appears as the psalmist whose experience of being guarded by an almighty hand while snares throng the path becomes the template for every believer's walk. His kingship and his suffering together model the strange mixture of vulnerability and triumph that defines the hymns' spiritual vision. He matters because his voice — crying, trusting, and singing — is the voice these hymns teach their readers to adopt.

## In the story

### [Jehovah-Jireh—The Lord Will Provide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/6-jehovah-jireh-the-lord-will-provide)

David, seemingly destined to fall to Saul, is saved when Saul is diverted by an invading force.

### [Jehovah-Nissi—The Lord My Banner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/17-jehovah-nissi-the-lord-my-banner)

Cited as the stripling who, taught by God, slew Goliath with a sling and a stone from the brook.

### [Saul's Armour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/28-saul-s-armour)

David's example of trusting in God rather than human armor is the central model for the believer.

### [David’s Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/29-david-s-fall)

Falls into sin through lust, leading to adultery and murder; his heart is hardened until Nathan confronts him.

### [After Sermons to Young People on New-Year’s Evenings, Suited to the Subjects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/after-sermons-to-young-people-on-new-year-s-evenings-suited-to-the-subjects)

David is referenced as a model of faith who commends his children to God, and his charge to Solomon is used as an example.

### [David’s Charge to Solomon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/20-david-s-charge-to-solomon)

David is referenced as the one who, at life's end, trusts in God and commends his children to Him.

### [II: Ordinances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/ii-ordinances)

Implied in the reference to the manna and the sanctuary, though not explicitly named; the chapter speaks of the joy of worship and the value of God's house.

### [Why Art Thou Cast Down?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/40-why-art-thou-cast-down)

Referenced as an example of drawing comfort from God's past deliverances (from bear and lion).

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/characters/david
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/characters