1S27-7: David – Imperfect Yet Chosen by God

“And Akhish believed him; he said, ‘David has caused his own people Isra’el to despise him utterly; he will be my servant forever.'”-1 Samuel 27:12

In verse 12, we’re told something interesting.

Since David was conducting his raids in the Negev of Judah, which was land that belonged to his own tribe Judah, Achish assumed David’s own people viewed him as an outcast.

Achish believed David had cut all ties with his past and had abandoned Israel to essentially become a full-fledged citizen of Philistia.

What are we to make of this?

Was this all an act to fool Achish?

Or had David completely surrendered to the dark side?

Was he following in Saul’s footsteps, a path that ended in a failed kingship and being cut off by God?

A lot of folks don’t like to discuss this because it’s a difficult topic.

But I think we should face difficult topics like this head-on.

As I’ve been saying over the past couple of days…

Our most beloved Bible heroes have flaws…

And as ironic as it may seem…

Sometimes those very flaws help them do great things.

Their weaknesses turn out to be their biggest strengths.

In this respect, the strongman Samson comes to mind.

Samson was hated by his enemies and feared by many.

He loved to party, he enjoyed sleeping with gentile prostitutes, and his ego loved to be the center of attention.

He was also incredibly strong and loved to slaughter the Philistines thousands at a time.

It seemed he had no purpose in life if he wasn’t fighting.

He was a flawed hero who won great victories because God used his temper and penchant for violence to further kingdom purposes. 

So getting back to David, yes, he was a foreshadowing of the Messiah to come.

The Messiah would even come from David’s line.

But this does not mean David was an exact prototype of Yeshua who would come later.

David was a mere mortal like you and me with all of the weaknesses, flaws, and faults all men have.

Yet despite this, God chose him to be the first king of a united Israel.

David was tempted.

He sometimes failed.

There were times when he was scared and did anything to survive, like when he sought provisions and weapons from Ahimelech the priest.

That incident resulted in Saul slaughtering the whole priesthood.

And now, here we see David joining Israel’s archenemy, the Philistines, for safety and shelter.

There is no hint anywhere that David planned to return to Israel.

Unless God intervened.

I can relate to David.

We all can on some level.

David loved God deeply.

So do I.

David wanted to do God’s Will.

So do I.

He wanted to be a powerful witness for the Lord.

So do I.

He desired beautiful women…sometimes women who were already married.

I too have my own struggles with sexual temptation.

David wrote beautiful songs and thought deeply about the meaning of life.

I have been blogging and meditating on the Scriptures for over a decade.

Sometimes David let his impulses get the better of him and his behavior would hurt others.

I too have hurt so many people, including family members, in so many ways…and I regret it deeply.

Don’t get me wrong.

In comparing myself to David, I in no way mean to imply my life or character is anywhere near this incredible man.

I’m a miserable cockroach of a human being compared to this great king of Israel.

My point is despite his faults, failures, and sins…

God loved David…

And he used him in powerful ways…

I dare to hope the Lord will do the same for us…

Despite our despicable failures and sins.

Be blessed.