“He’s an adulterer.” “He’s a felon.” “He’s a womanizer.” “He’s arrogant.” “He spews inflammatory rhetoric.” “He’s a racist.” “He bends rules to suit himself.” “He’s not fit to be a leader.”
I’m not talking about former President Donald J. Trump. That’s King David.
King David is arguably the most famous biblical king. He wrote most of the Psalms, and he’s the main character in I and II Samuel, and I and II Chronicles. Most people know that David was a “man after God’s own heart” (I Samuel 13:14), and is remembered as a courageous, obedient, and merciful king. David brought peace and prosperity to Israel during their “Golden Age,” uniting the 12 tribes of Israel under one monarch.
When we read the Psalms, we see David over and over again crying out to the Lord, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name” (Psalm 103:1). He reminds us that “the Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1) and that we are to “delight ourselves in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4). We see David rejoicing and praising the Lord scripture after scripture. Often, we point to David as a model for how we should worship and love God.
But David was an adulterer. II Samuel 11 tells that story of when David saw Bathsheba, he was intrigued. He lusted after her, sent servants to get her, and then he grabbed her by the—well, you know. He knew she was married to Uriah. He didn’t care. He slept with her anyway.
David was a murderer. When his plan to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba didn’t work out, David sent Uriah to the front lines of battle, so Uriah would surely die. And he did. Uriah’s blood is on David’s hands. I would say that David was pretty arrogant to think he could get away with his adultery, then to kill the woman’s husband. Seems like David was bending the rules to fit his own personal agenda. David even hid his sin until in II Samuel 12, Nathan called him out on it. David later tells his son, Solomon, that he has too much blood on his hands, so God told him, “You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.” (I Chronicles 22:7-8)
David was a womanizer. He married Michal then discarded her without even the courtesy of divorce. He then married Abigail. While he was attracted to her, the marriage was a political power move. Then there was Ahinoam, Maachah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah, and then Bathsheba—yep—that Bathsheba. And these are just the ones whose names are recorded in the Bible. Who knows how many more there could have been.
The list of abominable deeds David committed could continue. David didn’t even have a legitimate claim to the throne. He was ready to kill Nabal for not giving him food. He fought in eight or nine battles—just to take over land and expand his empire. He destroyed other tribes, and peoples from other nations. That would absolutely be considered racist and power hungry by today’s standards. David was also flippant about the rules of the Ark of the Covenant—literally the spiritual representation of God on Earth at the time.
Am I comparing Donald Trump to King David? Absolutely not. Let me reiterate—I am not comparing Donald Trump to King David. What I am trying to do is show that anyone who says that they wouldn’t vote for Donald Trump because he’s a womanizer, a felon, or arrogant, also would not have voted for King David. And God hand-selected David to be king. I’m sure that if there were social media in 970 BC, Israelites, Judaeans, and people from every tribe would post about his lust, avarice, and lechery.
I Samuel 16:7 But the Lord told Samuel, “…God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.”
God saw David’s heart. David repented. He sought forgiveness. David is an excellent example of God being able to use our brokenness to glorify His kingdom. David shows us that God forgives us of our sin. Humans have a much more difficult time forgiving each other, which is why so many people have a hard time accepting Donald Trump.
Again, I am not comparing Donald Trump to King David. I have no idea what the condition of Donald Trump’s heart is. Only God knows that. What I do know is—regardless of his character flaws—his policies are good for America. I have seen so many Christians say they couldn’t vote for Donald Trump because of the things he did—well, I guess you wouldn’t have voted for King David, either.
