The Man – Part four

there is no more complete character study in the Old Testament than that of David. We are given remarkable details of his thoughts and deeds, and there is much in them that should be helpful to the man or woman of God in any age. First and foremost, David loved the Lord and His word. It was his earnest desire always to walk in an upright manner before the Lord. His faith in God is an outstanding aspect of his character.

“Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments” (Psa. 112:1). This is the rule of faith that David followed all his life.

Youth

David became acquainted with God at a very early age. He learned from his youth to love and respect the God of his fathers and to rely upon His word. “0 God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works” (Psa. 71:17).

His youthful enthusiasm and energy coupled with his dedication to God and to duty assured him success. David soon rose to a position of authority as a warrior for Israel. It is not uncommon in life that the ingenuous eagerness of youth clashes with hardened cynicism. This came for David in his association with Saul. Hardened by his own wrongdoing, the king began to view David with jealousy, and he grew to hate the young warrior. For David, the situation led to a great trial of endurance. Until the death of the king, for some years he would be an outcast in his own nation.

Friendship

The servant of God needs the companionship and approval of others who share his faith. David found that in Saul’s household in the person of the king’s son. Jonathan was a faithful friend, and he encouraged David at a time when he greatly needed it. As an exile there would be others willing to share David’s lot. Some would serve him faithfully throughout his life. Others would disappoint him. On his part, David would be a friend who was loyal and true, one who never forgot a kindness. He reciprocated when he could.

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Pro. 18:24). These words were written by Solomon, but it was a lesson he had doubtless learned from his father David.

In exile

In order to test the character of a man or woman, give them either adversity or authority. David’s mettle would be tested in both circumstances. The adversity came first. Through no fault of his own, he found himself cast in the role of outlaw. He would have to endure the stigma for the remainder of Saul’s life, and he bore the trial well. There were times when the future looked bleak indeed, but David held on. His faith and his courage sustained not only himself but the many others who shared his exile and depended on his leadership. During this period he formed lasting bonds with men who would serve him faithfully when his time of exaltation finally came.

David’s position was made more difficult by the fact that he would not take it upon himself to harm “the Lord’s anointed.” He could have justified outright rebellion. Had not Saul become a godless and oppressive king? David could have gained support for his cause, perhaps enough to overthrow the king and put himself on the throne. Such a course he rejected; he was willing to leave the outcome to the Lord, confident that He would prevail on David’s behalf.

A number of Psalms were written during this period, and they reflect the strong and faithful character of this man of God. “It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies…Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, 0 LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto Thy name” (Psa. 18:47-49).

The family man

David’s was an affectionate personality. The fact was revealed in his love for his God, his friends and his family. As he established his own household with his wives and children, we might have expected that all would go well. The vital ingredients were there. The Lord was reverenced, and doubtless His word had its honored place in the home. From Proverbs, we can deduce that David was a loving father, even doting on his sons and daughters. But all did not go well.

We cannot entirely separate the man from his position as the nation’s king. His position affected his family in several ways. First, he was necessarily preoccupied with ruling the kingdom and fighting the enemies of his nation. His decision to take many wives created the potential for jealousy and intrigue in the family. Then, because their father was the king, the children would be indulged. They did not learn the lessons of life that come from affliction, as their father had done. Though David must certainly have provided for their spiritual education, most of his children became weak and selfish in character. David’s greatest trials would come from his own household; these difficulties would plague him to the end of his days.

Duties of parents

Most of David’s wives would have been chosen because of their family station or their physical beauty. With the exception of Abigail, it is not likely that they were chosen for their spiritual characters. Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, turned out to be a woman of spiritual wisdom, but that was in spite of the circumstances of David’s marriage to her. The mothers would have been responsible for the early training of the children, and this would explain to some degree the waywardness of David’s family.

As they grew older, no doubt the king did try to provide for the spiritual education of his children. Still, the fact is that at the time of the incident involving Amnon, Tamar and Absalom, David had lost control of his family. He had allowed too much permissiveness in his household, and the results were devastating.

David’s position was in some respects unique, but the same rules apply in any family. “Train up a child in the way he should go,” applies to every generation. Parenting, for the people of God, is a tremendous responsibility.

Sin and forgiveness

The Bible is careful to let us know that there have been no perfect men, except our Savior. David was no exception. His greatest failure occurred at a time of life when it might least have been expected. Now in his middle years, he was established in his position, favored by his God, honored by his people. The weakness of the flesh overcame him, however, and he sinned grievously in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah.

In God’s eyes, David was guilty of adultery and murder. Both were sins for which the Law prescribed the punishment of death. No appeal, no forgiveness was stipulated. And yet, the Lord forgave him. Because ultimately his heart was right and his repentance real, Yahweh put away the sin of His servant. The effects of the sin would, however, have to be endured for the rest of his life.

Absalom

At no time in his life is David seen so human as in grief for his son. One of his favorites, Absalom was physically outstanding and self assured. He and his sister, Tamar, were both known for their good looks and probably honored as the children of a princess. Their mother was Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur.

When Amnon, one of David’s most unworthy sons, violated Tamar, Absalom was understandably enraged. Choosing his own method of retribution, Absalom (whose name ironically meant “father of peace”) eventually took the life of his half-brother. The house of David was now stained with incest and fratricide.

There would be yet more the king would have to suffer. Again he would go into exile, this time to escape his own rebellious son. It was inevitable, of course, that Absalom would have to die. David’s grief was not lessened by the fact that his son had wronged him and deserved death. The tragedy had a deep effect upon the king as he entered the last phase of his life.

The last years

“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth” (Psa. 71:9).

In his declining years, David was comforted by the covenants of promise. He must have envisioned Messiah’s kingdom and rejoiced in the knowledge that his Seed would rule the world with equity. He was also thankful to God that he had in Solomon a son who possessed the proper spiritual wisdom to rule his people Israel.

“Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, ‘The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and His word was in my tongue…He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.” (2 Sam. 23:1-3).