by Ann Johnstone

Created on: July 09, 2010

Mighty warrior, sensitive musician, wholehearted worshipper, lover of God and of women, murderer and adulterer, yet described as “a man after God’s heart” … Who was this complex man whose life and accomplishments take up two books of the Old Testament?

 David never did anything by halves. While probably still a teenager he did not shrink from the challenge of taking on Goliath, champion of the Philistines, even though every other Israelite soldier shrank from the task. Yet in doing so he recognized that it would be only through the help of his God that he would succeed.

 Soon after this triumph David became the closest of friends with Saul's son Jonathan. It was a relationship fraught with danger and destined to end in tragedy due to the jealousy and rage of King Saul. Early in their friendship Jonathan made a covenant with David, sealed with an act that symbolized the giving of himself to his friend. He took off his robe and tunic and gave them to David along with his sword, bow and belt. It is interesting that Saul, ruled by rages that bordered on insanity, should have such a gentle and rational son.

 David and Jonathan eventually had to go their separate ways due to the jealousy of King Saul. In many ways Saul, the first King of Israel, and David, his soon-to-be successor, were complete opposites in character. Saul was ruled by his passions; David (except for one notable exception) by integrity. For Saul, pride became his downfall; David, even as a king, was humble. David was a popular and wise leader while Saul preferred to ‘go it alone’. David was a worshipper of God, encouraging others to do likewise, whereas Saul preferred that the people bow down to him. Deep down, it would seem that Saul had an inferiority complex while David was confident in himself because of his relationship with God.

 On two occasions David had the opportunity to kill King Saul, yet he refrained, saying “Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” He had already been anointed as King and trusted that God would raise him up to the throne when the time was right. He was not going to take matters into his own hands.

 As with King Solomon, it would appear that David loved to be with women. He collected at least eight wives and had previously committed adultery with one of these, Bathsheba. It was, in fact, his love of women that proved his downfall, resulting in God’s judgment

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>