Let’s Get ALL The David Story

I think it’s time we processed David’s (the Old Testament King and hero) life a tad more contextually and precisely. I have, as of late, listened to several expositions of David’s life and example and it has left me frustrated and frankly, concerned. This processing started recently as my wife and I were getting ready for the day in our bathroom and the conversation started about David being “a man after God’s heart”. My wife, being the biblically astute woman that she is, began to ask me a series of questions concerning that assertion as it was being applied to the entire whole of David’s life. Her questions were rhetorical, as she had read the biblical accounts on many occasions, but she was bouncing some thoughts off of me for another perspective.

It is true that the Bible declares David to be a man after God’s heart on TWO occasions. I Samuel 13:14, the prophet Samuel prophesies of David’s future anointing as king to replace the rebellious Saul. The second is Paul’s reference to Israel’s history by referencing David in Acts 13:22. So, lest I get too much blowback, I completely stipulate that David was indeed addressed as “a man after God’s heart”. But the question remains, “Was he ALWAYS a man after God’s heart?”

I am processing this question out loud because David is often referenced as a man who, while being deeply flawed on several occasions, is to be generally viewed as an aspirational character for us. In fact, it goes beyond that. His life is used as an apologetic and even justification for egregious sins and failures in the people of God. It is offered as an illustration by the antinomianist to validate their sinful lifestyle while maintaining their “loyalty” to Christ.

I know…

I just opened the proverbial can (and box)…

A short blog or social media post will never do justice to the discussion of what the place of sin is in a believer’s life. However, I do think it important to remind those David “venerators” that while David was used mightily by God on several occasions and there is no question his passion for worship and obedience in several seasons of his life has left us unparalleled scriptural insight, that all was not roses and blessing for this “man after God’s heart”.

David’s life (like any historical figure) must be understood and interpreted in historical AND chronological context. The young boy whom Samuel anointed and then slayed Goliath was not exactly the same guy who committed adultery and premeditated a murder. Our superficial, sentimentality of David cannot camouflage the hard reality of David’s trajectory of life through the Scripture.

I’m not wanting to tear down our heroes, but it’s important that we understand these heroes correctly and learn the lessons they leave accurately.

For example, let’s quickly look at the trajectory of some of David’s decisions and life AFTER the declaration he was a “man after God’s heart”.

…Fibbing to Ahimelech: David lied to the priest in Nob when he fled from Saul claiming he was on a secret mission for the king. (1 Sam. 21:1-9)

…Fleeing to Gath: To escape Saul’s wrath, David fled to Gath, the hometown of Goliath, (carrying the slain giant’s sword, perhaps not a good idea). When he was recognized, he faked insanity to avoid capture, torture and death. (1 Sam. 21:10-15)

…Fighting for the Philistines: For 16 months, David was a mercenary for Israel’s enemy. Strangely, he wrote no Psalms during this period as the well of inspiration apparently dried up.

…Flubbing the transport of the Ark: The Ark was handled carelessly and carried on a cart, instead of on the priest’s shoulders, resulting in Uzzah’s death. (2 Sam. 6:1-10)

…Avoiding the time of war: Kings were expected to lead their armies into battle and David avoided such a time. (2 Sam. 11:1)

…Falling into adultery: His most famous failure was his scandalous affair with Bathsheba. (2 Sam. 11:4)

…Finishing off Uriah: Worse, was the subsequent cover up and the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. (2 Sam. 11:1-27)

…Failing as a Father: David failed to discipline his son, Amnon, for raping Tamar, his half-sister. This led to Absalom’s rebellion who murdered Amnon in revenge and then tried to steal David’s throne.

…Focusing on numbers instead of God: Late in life, against Joab’s advice, David insisted on counting his army (his 1.3 million troops were a source of pride and false security). This displeased God who sent a plague and slew 70,000 men. (2 Sam. 24:1-25.)

Notice the chronological order of the illustrations offered above. One has to question, in light of the trajectory, how fervent David’s loyalty was being maintained through the years. Obviously, there were ups and downs to his spiritual passion. For me, this doesn’t diminish the great acts and moments David offers, but rather provides a cautionary tale that David’s life may not be the EXACT template we may wish to emulate and certainly not the justification for our own personal sins.

The repercussions of many of his decisions included…

…Derailing his presumed destiny of building of the House of the Lord (Temple).

…Producing incredible family dysfunction and heartache which produced death and incalculable harm.

There is no arguing that God must always stoop to use imperfect human beings. However, that reality does not justify our ready capitulation to sin and compromise. David is an important figure in our understanding of God’s ways, but let’s make sure we get the entire story and learn the lessons he leaves us.

“Now all these things happened to them (Israel) as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (I Corinthians 10:11-12)