David

I’ve been finishing up reading Second Samuel again. It’s so amazing how diverse David was. Truly he was a renaissance man, though far before the renaissance. He was a strong young shepherd as a boy. One of my favorite things about him is the name of the group of men that were with him—the mighty men or in some places the mighty men of valor. What a phrase for men to try to live up to. Conversely he played the harp, evidently very well, and wrote beautiful poetry.

He is like the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
that brings the grass from the earth.

-2 Samuel 23:4

David tried to do what God asked of him, but as a man he had many failings. He was still “a man after God’s own heart.” It’s interesting that He chose a warrior-poet. David was full of passion-- he was ruthless in battle, but contemplative.

I always think of David being led into battle by God when people say that our God is one of love, not of war. Many of those people state that was the Old Testament God, but Hebrews 13:8 states He’s “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Jesus, Himself said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” in Matthew (10:34).

This is a man who, for all his greatness, was not afraid of being humble in front of his subjects out of honor for God. There are so man rich lessons in the life of David and in his beautiful poetry.