I Samuel 17:12  “Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons.”  If there is one person who stands out in the First Testament, it is David.  He is indeed the “golden boy,” the greatest king in the history of Israel, and a real power broker in 1,000 B.C.  When David sinned he sinned boldly, but when he repented, when he turned to God, he turned to God totally.   He is the perfect example of how low a person can go, and yet be forgiven by a gracious and loving God.  After he had Bathsheba’s husband put to death to cover up his extramarital affair with Bathsheba, David turned to God and prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me.”  When David fell from grace he knew to return to God.  It was his trust and faith in God that took him from Bethlehem, the town of his birth, to the capital city of Jerusalem, and world prominence.  Let us know when to turn to God and ask for his forgiveness.  Amen.