David as role model?

[Ploutos]

In my own Christian life, I have often used David's posture towards Saul as a model for how to handle adversarial figures in my own life, in a sort of greater to lesser argument (i.e. "if David put up with that, surely I can put up with something comparatively trivial").

I've never believed this is the only or even primary application of the story of David vs. Saul, but all the same I have found myself wondering recently if this is a valid application of that narrative to begin with. I have generally admired David's forbearance in refusing to lift a hand against Saul - but then David's conduct toward his own children shows an excessive passivity and I now wonder if this is part of his attitude toward Saul as well. Is it possible that David is almost "hyper-Calvinist" in his attitude toward Saul, awaiting God's providence without using God's means? After all, David was not only promised the kingdom in the future. He had actually been anointed, and Saul had already been rejected as king finally and without recourse. Other Biblical characters are much more proactive in being the means used by God for carrying out his will - Joshua vs. the Canaanites, Jehu vs. the house of Omri, etc. Of course Moses lifted his hand against the oppressor of his people, and Scripture seems to indicate that he acted rashly and prematurely.

Since many of my responses to difficult situations in my Christian life have been modeled on David's response to Saul, it seems worthwhile to re-examine what to me is such a practically significant application of this passage. More broadly, I wonder if it's wise to apply Old Testament passages directly to my life in such a way, particularly when the writer passes what at best is an implicit moral judgment on a narrative.

 

[MW]

This is not hyper-Calvinist. He fled, protested, prayed for justice, and even rebuked Saul verbally, but he refused to preempt God’s timing. And once in power David became the executor of justice. It helps us to see the difference between private and public persons.

The Psalms shed much light on David's faith and show us how to worship God amidst injustice. They teach us to have an active faith in God’s judgment and not to passively resign ourselves to the unknown. David's heart shines forth. He committed himself to the One who judges righteously. It was a deliberate choice to entrust vengeance to God while still acting wisely to protect himself. It is not inaction, but action rooted in trust. There is moral clarity on the evil being perpetrated but the judgment of it belongs to the Lord. And some of the Psalms call on judges to do what lies within them to administer public justice.

All this is seen in the Antitype. We only follow David as he followed the Lord.

 

[Ploutos]

Thank you for those thoughts!

 

[KMK]

And once in power David became the executor of justice. It helps us to see the difference between private and public persons.

On top of that, his rise to authority was kind of complicated and blurry. He was anointed in private by Samuel while Saul was still the King. You have to appreciate David's meekness and discretion in those early years. As for his passivity toward his children, I believe that was an example of David NOT following the Lord.

 

[MW]

As for his passivity toward his children, I believe that was an example of David NOT following the Lord.

Yes, definitely. It was royal indulgence. But it is also a case study in how God works, as this was also chastening. And the Psalms also teach us how to respond to that.

 

[arapahoepark]

I recommend my church's current series on the Books of Samuel.

Littleton Bible Chapel - Sermons

littletonbiblechapel.org

I hope the link actually works.

 

[TheInquirer]

One thing to keep in mind is David is two things - shepherd king of Israel and disciple of the Lord. There are ways he is not like us and ways he is like us. Saul being a king is also a unique relationship with its own special considerations that may not translate smoothly to our modern culture. Therefore, it takes some carefulness to understand our legitimate connection to David.

 

[Ploutos]

This is not hyper-Calvinist. He fled, protested, prayed for justice, and even rebuked Saul verbally, but he refused to preempt God’s timing. And once in power David became the executor of justice. It helps us to see the difference between private and public persons.

The Psalms shed much light on David's faith and show us how to worship God amidst injustice. They teach us to have an active faith in God’s judgment and not to passively resign ourselves to the unknown. David's heart shines forth. He committed himself to the One who judges righteously. It was a deliberate choice to entrust vengeance to God while still acting wisely to protect himself. It is not inaction, but action rooted in trust. There is moral clarity on the evil being perpetrated but the judgment of it belongs to the Lord. And some of the Psalms call on judges to do what lies within them to administer public justice.

All this is seen in the Antitype. We only follow David as he followed the Lord.

Thinking further about your words here, would you commend the personal application that I have traditionally drawn from this passage as mentioned in the beginning of the OP? Keep in mind that I'm not thinking of that as the only or even primary point of the text. But it has been something that has been quite significant in my life, since there have been some very difficult and protracted circumstances that I have walked through with that mindset that if David could endure what he endured unjustly, then surely I can endure something much lesser, particularly where my own sins have made it harder for me to claim the badge of unjust suffering.

 

[MW]

Thinking further about your words here, would you commend the personal application that I have traditionally drawn from this passage as mentioned in the beginning of the OP? Keep in mind that I'm not thinking of that as the only or even primary point of the text. But it has been something that has been quite significant in my life, since there have been some very difficult and protracted circumstances that I have walked through with that mindset that if David could endure what he endured unjustly, then surely I can endure something much lesser, particularly where my own sins have made it harder for me to claim the badge of unjust suffering.

In terms of the inferior-superior relationship, yes. For the superior-inferior relationship you have his attitude towards Shimei. His example reveals both innocent suffering and disciplinary trials. I think the Psalms are helpful again because they relate the tensions involved in the ideas of innocence and discipline. For us there will be all kinds of mixtures. Yet one must still fulfil personal responsibilities within relationships. This is morally required of us and evangelically part of our witness to the world. Modern relationships are harder to navigate because of egalitarianism and a breakdown of customary roles. But David still shows the way of trust and mercy.