David was once a shepherd boy and then became King as selected by God himself over Israel. He was the ancestor of Jesus Christ. He holds a high reputation at the time he lived up till now. Even so, we discover in Scripture that there are some odd behaviors that he displayed and that is what we are going to explore today.
The first king of Israel was Saul. He instructed David to bring back to him 100 foreskins of the Philistines.(1 Samuel 18: 23) David obeyed and instead of slaying 100 Philistines, he slew 200. But why would David agree to such a gruesome task? By that time Saul was already jealous and fearful of David. It was his hope that by sending him among the Philistines that he would be slain, and Saul would be done with him. Saul explained that he did not want a dowry for his daughter Michal but only wanted the foreskins to prove himself and gain her in marriage. This put Saul in a place of obligation to keep his word.
By the time of Saul’s displeasure against David simply out of jealousy, the king decided to pursue David so that he may kill him. David cut off the skirt of Saul. (1 Samuel 24:1-22) but why did he do that? As it so happened, David and his men were hiding in a cave. Then came Saul into the cave to seek rest. While he did so, David’s men encouraged him to kill Saul. Instead, he cut off the edge of Saul’s skirt. He proved to his men later to saw himself that he would not challenge God’s direction. He wanted to prove that had no intention of hurting Saul even though he had the opportunity to do so. He also declared that he would not raise his hand against God’s anointed. If only that would be practice in today’s churches by rebellious members.
When David danced before all the people when the Ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem, it appeared that he humiliated himself as king. (2 Samuel 6: 12-23) Why would David who had the highest standing among the people do such a thing? As a result of his behavior, Michal, Saul’s daughter, became angry with him and would have nothing to do with him as his wife until the day of her death. David brought the ark to Jerusalem where it belonged. He was in such a joyous mood that he wanted to share the Jubilee with all the people. Also, when they brought the ark of the covenant to the city, David stopped to make sacrifices unto the Lord. He rejected his wife’s criticism in favor of sharing the blessings that God had given to the entire nation.
David is well known for the adultery he committed with a neighbor’s wife. The prophet Nathan rebuked him even though he thought he got away with his crime which included the murder of her husband. The baby that was born from that affair became extremely ill. (2 Samuel 12: 13-23) Those around David thought it was so odd that after the baby died, David rose up to eat after fasting for the child’s life. They thought I should go into a further state of mourning. This is an important Old Testament Scripture because it is a foreshadow of the knowledge the apostle Paul shared about eternal life. (1 Corinthians 15) David explained another important fact about the whereabouts for children who die that they go to heaven. He said, “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I should go to him, that he shall not return to me.”
David made a wish that while they were on the battlefield he so longed to have water drawn from the well of Bethlehem. Three of his mighty men broke through the lines, drew the water out of the well, and brought it David. The oddity of this event was that David did not drink it but poured it out. Why would David pour out the water that his men risked their lives to get just because he made a wish? (2 Samuel 23: 15-17) He used this as a recognition of the bravery of the men as a type of sacrifice to God. He demonstrated his humility to the men and before God that he was no more worthy than any other of his army to benefit from such a dangerous mission behind enemy lines.
David showed us what it was to be truly devout. He was a role model for all men, for soldiers, as an example before his nation, and his pledge to God. If only we would look closer at his life so that we might learn how better to live.
Christian Writer 