King David was a Scoundrel

We often get the wrong image of King David from the majority of pastors and teachers. Though he was indeed a man after God's own heart, he nevertheless was a scoundrel. How can this be?

The united monarchy

The three great kings of Israel are identified by biblical scholars as Saul, David and Solomon. While there were some 40 (Hebrew "many dozens") plus kings of the nation of Israel, only the above-mentioned three ruled over an undivided Israel.

Israel was involved in a civil war between Israel in the north and Judah in the South of the Promised Land. All of the kings of Israel were not descendants of David, but all of the kings of Judah were descendants of David. This preserved the Messianic lineage from whence Jesus would come.

All of the kings in the northern kingdom were evil. The kings of Judah were good and evil.

Judges to Kings history

There was a transition from biblical judges to kings. The last judge was not Samson, as some believe, but instead Samuel was the last judge, and a good one at that. In the book of 1 Samuel, Sam is given 95% of the coverage in chapters 1-7.

Beginning in chapters 8 through 15, Saul and David take the stage of history, David getting more coverage in this book than in 2 Samuel, a book solely dedicated to him.

Note: 1 and 2 Samuel were one book that was later divided into two for easier reading.

In chapters 16 through 31, we observe the historical significance of David and Saul and there is no further mention of Samuel except for his death.

Then in 2 Samuel, it's all about David.

King David

David was a superior military leader. He conquered the Promised Land and beat the Philistines to a pulp. He was otherwise not a good man whatsoever. How do we know this to be true? Two things: David's actions and from Scripture.

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

But let's take a look at how David acted.

The story of David and Bathsheba is known to many people. I'll summarize it.

David was chillin' like a villain atop his palace roof one day, and when he looked, there was Bathsheba (the name means "the seventh daughter; the daughter of satiety). Bathsheba was taking a nude bath and David said, "Whoa, Daddy! Yo, mine servants, find this beautiful babe and bring her to my crib!"

Okay, he didn't say that, but in his insatiable lust he sent his messengers to fetch Bathsheba. She willingly slept with the King, despite the fact she was on her monthly ... ahem, well, you ladies know, and despite the fact that she was married to Uriah the Hittite, a fierce military leader in David's powerful army.

To make a long story short, when Bathsheba informed David that she was preggers, David murdered Uriah and married Bathsheba. Murder and adultery. Not good. Not good at all. Bathsheba then bore David a son.

God saw his appointed king and sent Nathan the prophet to David, saying, "‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own" (1 Samuel 12:7-10, NIV).

Trouble in the house of David

God's word was true (and always is). David was a poor father. David's son Amnon falls in love with his half-sister Tamar and rapes her one day. His love then turns to hatred and Tamar mourns. Her bro Absalom comforts her, promising her he'll handle it all and not to sweat it but let it.

Meanwhile, King David does jack doodly squat about the sordid event: We read: "When King David heard all this, he was furious. Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar" (2 Samuel 13:21-22).

He was furious but did nothing.

Two years later, Absalom throws a big swag party at his sprawling ranch outside of Jerusalem (no masks required). The King has better plans than to go, so he reluctantly agrees to send his crown prince, Amnon his son. It was the trap Absalom wanted all along. With the death of Amnon, he would be the heir to the throne!

Absalom murders this older brother Amnon while he was wasted on wine for his revenge.

There are many other short stories about King David that reveal how he was far from the perfect man. But the point is that David repented of his sins, became faithful and was converted. He still ran afoul of God's commands, however, and sinned.

Our lesson

We all can learn a valuable lesson from King David. Though he was a scoundrel, God used him for His glory. David killed Goliath and routed the Philistines, thus fulfilling God's command to the early entrants to the Promised Land.

Unlike King Saul and King Solomon, David never worshipped another god. He had experienced the power, mercy and grace of the One true God and had n part in wicked ecumenism which leads to the eternal pit.

We, too, can be used of God. He has a preference for the weak, the poor in spirit, and those He can work His power through to achieve His plan. It doesn't matter what your sinful background is, God will forgive if you come to Him, seek his forgiveness, repent, and be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Do not despise the word of God. Stop being like David, be like Jesus.