Eugene Peterson’s vibrant, unforgettable exploration of one of the most memorable—and controversial—figures in Scripture: King David.

The David story is the most extensively narrated single story in the Bible, and the Old Testament reveals him both at his best and his worst. He is known as a shepherd, a psalmist, a fugitive, a war hero, a murderer, and a king whose legacy is marked by victories and moral failings alike. Peterson’s multi-dimensional character study of this “man after God’s own heart” studies David’s humanity and examines his key relationships such as those with Saul, Goliath, Jonathan, Bathsheba, and Absolom. Uncompromisingly honest and remarkably insightful, Leap Over a Wall offers the hope that every event in David’s life was a confrontation with God, just as our every experience can hold divine encounter.

A vision brought to life by one of the world’s most respected and influential theologians, the author of The Pastor, The Jesus Way, Practice Resurrection, and The Message, Leap Over a Wall is a unique opportunity to discover an earthy spirituality and reconnect with David, a man simultaneously admirable, soulful, and dark, and one of the most complex and vital characters of the greatest story ever written.

Ideal for personal devotional use, this King David Bible study is perfect for individuals or small group study.

In this profound exploration of the life of David, you will find:

A Model for Spiritual Growth: A refreshingly honest look at David’s triumphs and moral failings, showing how God shapes humanity through the messy, earthy details of an actual life.
Christian Leadership Lessons: Go beyond the sanitized hero to study a leader whose story is filled with friendship, sin, grief, and courage, offering timeless wisdom for today.
Old Testament Commentary: Peterson’s masterful storytelling unpacks the most extensive narrative in the Bible, revealing the man behind the legend from his anointing to his death.
Faith and Doubt: A powerful examination of how every event in our lives, from the battlefield to the bedroom, can be a direct confrontation with God.