Bible Students

David, the second official king of Israel, was born of Jesse in around 1000 BC. David united the twelve tribes of Israel under a single monarchy, which his son Solomon continued after David’s death. David is mainly spoken of in the book of I and II Samuel, as well as I Chronicles, and the majority of the Psalms are attributed to him. David was the youngest son of Jesse, out of eight children. David was prophesied to be king during the reign of King Saul, a man who contrasts David in character and reign. King Saul attempted to murder David multiple times before David became king, but was unable to succeed. David became king, as God had assigned him, and his reign was then established as the second king of the united Israel (David, par. 2). 

David was described by the Bible as a man chasing after God’s own heart. It is clear by this that the author of scripture, God Himself, highly regarded David (I Samuel 13:14). Throughout his life, David was a man busy with successes and failures, seemingly one after the other. In I Samuel 16, David was anointed king by God. Shortly after that, on a food delivery for his brothers at war with Philistia, David slew the Philistine Giant, Goliath, winning the Philistia-Israel war. After this, in chapter 18, David became friends with King Saul’s son, Jonathan. Saul then began to try to kill David, over and over, and while he hunted David, David was given an opportunity to kill Saul while he slept. However, out of reverence for God, David did not kill Saul, God’s anointed. Afterwards, God gave a battle into the hands of David and his small army, and once again David did not take the chance he had to kill King Saul. When Saul died, and David became true king, David met Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. David guaranteed Mephibosheth a seat at the royal table, always. God promised, through Nathan, that David would be like a son to God, and God a father to David. David also had an incident with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. David lusted after this woman, took her, and killed her husband. Nathan then prophesied to David about the terrible works he had done. Because of this, when his son raped his daughter, David did nothing, which caused national division. Long after that, and after the kingdom came back into order, God shined His face upon David once more, giving them favor in a war against Philistia. Because of this, David sang a Psalm to God. After this, David sinned against God by inciting a census, and shortly after died. David’s life was filled to the brim with successes and failures, however I think the failures which stand out the most are in regards to Bathsheba, Amnon, and the census (King David, par. 1).

Chronologically, the first major failure of David was the event with Bathsheba. One day during David’s reign, he lusted after a woman bathing on a rooftop (II Samuel 11). After inquiring about his servants, he found out who she and her husband were, and had sexual relations with Bathsheba. He tried to scheme in order to make Bathsheba’s new pregnancy seem to be from her husband, but after failing, he ordered that the husband be killed during a battle, for he was a soldier. David then married Bathsheba. The sexual exploitation of Bathsheba could have been either rape or adultery, but regardless of the exact seriousness of the crime, God still viewed it as an abomination. David did not relent of this, until Nathan the prophet called upon him to turn back to God (II Samuel 12). David responded as a foolish man, after the abomination he had committed before God. Because of this great sin, the son born to Bathsheba would die. David pleaded to God, because of his own failures, but when the son died, David rejoiced. Even though the death of the son was purely David’s fault, when David came back to God, he truly came back and worshipped Him even in the dark times. David had returned to God. 

Next is the incident between Absalom, Tamar, and Amnon. In only the next chapter, II Samuel 13, David’s children began to despise each other. David had three children of importance here, Absalom, Amnon, and Tamar. Amnon lusted after his sister Tamar and raped her, and because David would not do anything, Absalom came against Amnon and killed him, later conspiring to also take over the kingdom of David. The failure here is the lack of leadership in David’s household which resulted in the rape and murder of Tamar and Amnon, and the response of David to this failure is nothing. The text does not indicate what King David did to his son Amnon for the rape of his own sister, however the Law of Moses is clear on what should happen. Deuteronomy 22:28 states “If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay her father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives” (Deut. 22:28, NIV). Incest laws aside, Amnon clearly sent Tamar out and did not marry her. At the least, David should have enforced the marriage laws and forced Amnon to marry and protect Tamar. However, he did not, likely due to the previous sins committed with Bathsheba. David sinned with Bathsheba, and did not lead his household how he should have, so when this happened, instead of making the wrongs into rights and exacting justice for Tamar, David did nothing, and continued to grow a culture of sexual exploitation in his own household (Work, par. 2).

Lastly in the chronological list of David’s major failures is the final census. Though much shorter, I believe this is one of the best examples of David’s repentance, and acts as a model for Christians to follow. In II Samuel 24, David sinfully numbers the people of Israel. When he realizes his sin, he prays to God, makes an altar, sacrifices, and sings a psalm to God. This is the single greatest response to a major failure that David exhibits. Not only does he repent when he learns of his sin, but he rejoices in God and makes proper sacrifices. 

Though David may have had many major failures in his life, I think some of the greatest successes from from his responses to the Word of God. Firstly, there is the promise from God, delivered by Nathan, to David’s son Solomon, which reads, “I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” (II Samuel 7:14-16, NIV). When God promises David a great success in his son, what did David do? He responded, “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” (II Samuel 7:18). The second half of chapter seven is a prayer to God, rejoicing in the faithfulness and graciousness of God. 

Next is David’s response to the word of God, through Nathan, regarding the first son of Bathsheba, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die” (II Samuel 12:13-14). On hearing this, David pleaded with God for the life of his son. When God caused his son to die, David rejoiced in the faithfulness of God. Though God had spoken a curse to David, he still loved the God which had removed the penalty of death for his adultery, and remained faithful. 

What should the take-away be for all of this? Is David a good example to be followed, or an unfaithful sinner? I believe David should be followed, obviously not in his great failures, but in his responses to God’s word. When David heard the word of God, he trusted in each letter. Even when he had committed great sin, he turned back to God upon hearing His words. When David heard the good news of the promise to his son, a promise which was not for David, he rejoiced in the Lord. When David was cursed because of what he did to Bathsheba, David turned back to God. Even when David learned of his sin of the census, through the influence of God’s word or Spirit, he turned back to God. I think that is the most important take-away from the life of David. In every success, in every failure, in every heartache, in every rejoicing: Turn to God, and give all things in praise and repentance to Him. God is faithful to the repentant, and good comes to those who look on Him. 

Bibliography

“David.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/David. 

“King David’s Importance and Achievements.” ATIKA SCHOOL, https://www.atikaschool.org/kcsecrenotes/king-davids-importance. Work, Theology of. “David’s Successes and Failures as King (2 Samuel 1-24).” Theology of Work, https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/samuel-kings-chronicles-and-work/the-golden-age-of-the-monarchy-2-samuel-1-24-1-kings-1-11-1-chronicles-21-2/davids-successes-and-failures-as-king-2-samuel-1-24.