And David Perceived He Was King: IDENTITY - the Key to Your DESTINY

by Dale L. Mast

God took David from the fields where he followed the sheep to become the ruler of Israel. He was overlooked by his father, yet chosen by God. He carried the dream to be king from the day Samuel anointed him, but he did not feel worthy to marry the king’s daughter after defeating Goliath. David experienced many amazing moments in his life, yet he also endured many traumas. He was the hero of Israel and then became the hunted villain. He went from leading the armies of Israel to being pursued by the same. When David was anointed king in Judah, civil war erupted. Each step that God was establishing David’s identity, the enemy was trying to steal it. Defeating Goliath required faith, but taking the throne required identity. It takes a Goliath to reveal a David, and his journey to produce a king. Faith believes what God can do. Identity believes what God can do through you. Let David’s journey touch yours. “Dale has done a masterful job presenting life-transforming truths. His revelation concerning identity as the key to progressively advancing is enlightening and enabling. This book added new insights and encouragement to my life.” —Dr. Bill Hamon “This book is a treasure. It is a deeper study of David’s life. The insights the Holy Spirit has shared with us through Dale are extraordinary. The truth it contains will change you—guaranteed!” —Dutch Sheets “This is a captivating and compelling book about King David’s journey to the throne. This is a book that you cannot put down because it speaks to you so personally. I loved the book!” —Bishop Anne Gimenez “Dale is a favorite teacher by our students and staff at GSSM. This book is an excellent resource. I highly recommend Dale and this book.” —Dr. Randy Clark

Genres: Nonfiction, Faith, Religion, Leadership, Christian, Christianity

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 29, 2015

Reviews

[Laura]

This book has moved up to the top of my recommendation list, so much that I've given many copies away. The author follows the life of David, showing how new seasons brought shifts in identity. Though identity is a popular topic these days, the author says things I've not heard anywhere else and speaks with such authority, it's almost like he's prophesying directly to the reader.

[Ruth Hoehler]

This was a book club book, so not one I would have chosen for myself probably. It’s always good to expand beyond what we normally would choose though! This book was filled with helpful “quips.” Little nuggets of wisdom & good thoughts. There were some things I disagree with or question the author’s theology on. Overall, I’m just not huge on books that talk about fulfilling your destiny. Reminds me too much of Back to the Future.

[Abisola]

I actually really enjoyed this because it put into context the journey of going from a promise from God to actually receiving and living out the promise, it fills me with hope, faith and peace knowing that so much lies ahead of me and if I stay the path, I will receive a reward so great it’ll make every difficult day worth it. I just really like learning about how God works and this book reaaaally gave me insight scripturally into how God works with people

[Jessica Hurlbut]

This book was eye opening. The very premise of the book challenged me. The idea is that most of us as Christians believe God can do anything but where we get hung up is we don’t then believe that God can do anything through US. The author studies the life of the overlooked shepherd boy, David, and the identity shift he had to endure for God to bring him to the place where he could believe by faith God would anoint him as King.

A must read for anyone who feels called to do great things for God bit struggles with insecurity and inadequacy!

[Kasey]

This book is hands down one of the best Christian literature books I have ever read. It was well written and easy to understand, but more importantly it was written in a way that highlighted how the Lord was speaking through the pages of this book. I cannot recommend it enough, especially for someone who wants to step into the calling God has put in their lives.

[R.D. Henderson]

While there were several good nuggets in this book, I found the whole thing hard to read. The author's lines of thought just never seemed to flow. The whole thing was just choppy and did not keep my attention.

[Jardon Powell]

Such great points and love the connections made in David’s life to our identity. Writing was pretty poor and hard to get through. But I think it’s worth the read!

[Helen Eleanor]

Make sure you have your discerning sword out to dissect the parts that maybe aren’t quite right, but the majority of this book is so good. It is well worth reading for the concept! Enjoy!

[Romeo Mfumu]

I do not believe in coincidences. I believe I was meant to find this book. I believe I was guided from above to have this book placed in my life to help me with the transition I am currently going through in my life. I have always loved the story of King David in the bible. As a kid, I was very fond of the young man who slew the giant with his slingshot. The older me is now fond of the David who constantly relied on God to get him through all the trauma and troubles he was facing. Many people don't know this, but David had to hide out in a desert FOR 10 YEARS before he became king. Why? Because he was being hunted by the man he swore to protect and fight for. David faced the ultimate betrayal from his friends, family and nation. David constantly looked over his shoulder. David didn't know whether today or tomorrow would be his last day, but David constantly looked towards God for his answers. Now what is this book trying to teach us, the reader, about the story of David? If you have been gifted a talent or a calling over your life, God needs to be in the mix, or else you will fail. As a Christian, this book reminds me that my gift is not my own. My gift came and belongs to God. What I do with it will ultimately serve me or destroy me. I can either choose to be King David, humble, ready to serve, patient and ready to hear from God and build his Kingdom or like King Saul, arrogant, boastful, do things my way and let my emotions and self-judgment get the best of me. For us who believe we have certain responsibilities placed in our lives to achieve more, this book is a great reminder. It uses David's life as an example of a man who is aware of his talent, recognition and influence but still submits himself to God every single day. Not when he feels like it, not only when things go well. Every. Single. Day. Everything that we have been gifted with is to further his Kingdom, not ours. This book taught that all the traumatic events that I have endured through my life weren't in vain. It prepared me for what God has in store for my life.

Amen.

[Chandler Paschal]

In the book And David Perceived He Was King written by Dale L Mast is a book about how David slowly grows into who he is meant to be. What stood out to me most is how even though David was anointed as king of Israel he didn't become confident right away. David was chosen by God but he still had to face challenges, waiting, and self doubt before he fully understood and walked in the purpose that God gave him in life. This shows us that when your becoming who you are meant to be in life you shouldn't rush because it takes time and patience.One thing that I really connected with was the struggle that David had between who he was and who he was going to become. Before David could take the throne he had to grow his discipline, faith, and confidence. David had to go through many tests and trials, and all the things that he went through was God's way of preparing him to become a strong king. This showed me that God will prepare people before he reveals what he's preparing them for. Another lesson that I got from the book is that leadership isn't just about power. Unlike Saul who became an arrogant king, David learned humility from those around him and from the difficulties that he faced in his journey. David didn't try to rush to the top, he stayed patient and waited on God's perfect timing. Saul became a control freak and he disobeyed God while David stayed patient and waited on God's perfect timing. I learned that leadership is about character and not the control that you have over other people. Overall, this was a really great read. I don't really have any complaints about this book, but if I had to make any changes to the book I would probably make it longer so I could really deep dive into all the information that was given. I would recommend this book to people who are trying to find their God given identity in life. This book helped me understand that purpose isn't something that you rush into its something that you have to grow into.

[Sola Josh]

Dale Mast follows the life of David and shows how each season brought a shift in identity. That, for me, is the spine of the book.

The promise comes first. The throne comes later. But it is everything that happens in between that makes the man.

There is genuine insight throughout this book. Almost every page carries a nugget, and the author writes with an authority that sometimes feels less like teaching and more like speaking prophetically into your life.

What I particularly appreciated was the scriptural context it gave me for that long journey between receiving a promise from God and actually walking in it. We often celebrate the promise and the fulfilment, but overlook the process that prepares us for what God has promised.

And that is what stayed with me.

The book left me with hope, strengthened my faith, and gave me a settled peace that the journey is worth staying on.

Worth reading. Worth giving away.
Thank you Dr Foy for this gift!

[Lisa Titley]

In the first chapter, there was a really interesting passage of scripture exegeted in a thoughtful way. 2 Samuel 5:12 – KJV David, perceiving he was King, explores what it means when David fully understood the task he had been anointed for. Throughout the book, there were several good nuggets, but I found it hard to read. I think that because a lot of the examples were focused from Mast’s personal experience as Pastor, it spoke a lot about his role as a church planter. I had to look up his ecumenical leaning because sometimes there were theological stances that I am not sure I agree with his doctrinal stance, but it is mostly on 3rd-tier issues.

As a whole, good book but I will only take from it minimally. Probably a good book for young pastor.

[Sarah Faith]

I just… couldn’t stand the tone of the book. Name-dropping, airs of spiritual superiority… I have read and heard people talk about David and their own life experiences for years and years with more humility in their tone. You can’t fake REAL humility and although there are some mediocre one liners, I just feel like all that is being said could simply be gleaned from scripture itself and not from the person’s life experience. I know almost nothing of the author’s relationship with God and far too much of his relationship with other big names that I’m not really impressed by which is already a turn off, 50% of the way through. I just can’t stomach it anymore and did not finish.

[Grayson Zaragoza]

This book contains some powerful truths from the life of David but I ultimately felt it was too long and redundant. The author is constantly repeating himself and the moments where he addresses David directly were odd and off-putting to me. I felt the insights were esoteric and the only practical application of the teachings came through personal experiences of the author rather than helping people through the hang ups that affect our identity. There were a lot of assumed or implied motivations in the biblical stories that the author asserts as well, and I don't know how many of those assertions line up with what's in the text.

[Diane Estrella]

Meat! to sink your teeth into!

I went to a meeting and saw the author speaking. He gifted me an autographed copy of his book.

This book is not a fast read... and that's not a critique!

To get the most benefit out of it, you have to digest it in small bites and let it simmer around in your mind and heart. There are so many nuggets of knowledge and wisdom thoroughly soaked in God's Word and Truth included inside. This book can show many parallels between the hardships of King David's life and yours. I highly recommend reading it and applying it to your own life as well.

[Kimberly]

So many quotable lines in this book. I borrowed it from a friend and will be buying my own copy and one for a friend. I need to highlight and tab and wasn’t able to in this one. I also think some inspires would be nice to add to the margins of my Bible. It does repeatedly itself some but often it shares a different perspective of the same verse. Every man should read this book, whether single, pastoral or in some leadership role it applies to so many different circumstances. So So good!! Add this to your TBR!

[Mark Manderson]

Great little book

Top takeaways

When we have no agenda, GOD can hide his agenda in us.
Prayer: God make me as famous as you need me to be to do your work, not an ounce more or an ounce less than as needed
God says if you feel I owe you then I cannot bless you as I am a debtor to no man!
As you fight for wages, this gets in the way of you receiving your inheritance so decide which one is more valuable to you.
Faith says what God can do
Identity says what God can do through me

[Kendrick Vinar]

Probably best book of the year for me. Already recommended to several.

An exploration of David’s life as one who over a long period of time passed the many tests of adversity and identity to not only become the king of Israel but stepped fully into the authority of kingship. This is a rich book for those seeking a guide on the path to their calling.

4.9/5.0

[Megan L Day]

life changing

Wow. If you want to get to the next level in your walk in the Christian way…this book can and will help you get there. There are books that can change the trajectory of your life, and this is one of them. The restoration of our identity in who God says we are is the key of David.

[Jenel]

This book had some interesting takes on the life of David, some really helpful bits of wisdom. It also was sometimes hyper-charismatic in application. Which I personally am ok with, but it’s probably not everyone’s cup of chai.

[Brendan Young]

This was such an inspiring read. Some of the writing was choppy and scattered. Despite this, the ideas always came to fruition with God-centered truths. It was a great book that I would recommend to many.

[Lydia]

One of my favorite books of all time. Mast takes the life of David and imparts powerful, God-given revelation about identity and destiny to his readers. Cannot recommend enough for anyone seeking to unlock their power and purpose for the Kingdom.

[Kim Milam]

If I could give this more stars, I would! I’m telling everyone I know to read this book and am buying it as gifts! If we all could realize our true identity in Christ and how to walk in our destiny, lives would be changed!

[Christy Brown]

Great book on identity in Christ.

[Akintade David]

I need a copy of this book. Please I need help. I'm a pastor in Nigeria. I must have a copy. I saw it on Did Roth's broadcast today. Even if it a PDF copy or hard copy

[Krystal Gwynn]

This book has tons of powerful truths & revelations pulled from the life of David! Highly recommend!

[Nathan Swedberg]

Some interesting thoughts in here... but overall very encouraging

[Sarah♥]

So good!!

My only qualm is the same as with any who would do the same - the over- and completely redundant usage of "Father, God" a bajillion times throughout this book.

[Sarah Rabe]

This author's head is so far up his colon that his proctologist is still looking for it.

[Abigail Sobanski]

Read. This. Book.