Chapter 35—David
God selected David, a humble shepherd, to rule his people. He
was strict in all the ceremonies connected with the Jewish religion,
and he distinguished himself by his boldness and unwavering trust in
God. He was remarkable for his fidelity and reverence. His firmness,
humility, love of justice, and decision of character, qualified him to
carry out the high purposes of God, to instruct Israel in their devotions,
and to rule them as a generous and wise monarch.
His religious character was sincere and fervent. It was while David
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was thus true to God, and possessing these exalted traits of character,
that God calls him a man after his own heart. When exalted to the
throne, his general course was in striking contrast with the kings of
other nations. He abhorred idolatry, and zealously kept the people of
Israel from being seduced into idolatry by the surrounding nations. He
was greatly beloved and honored by his people.
He often conquered, and triumphed. He increased in wealth and
greatness. But his prosperity had an influence to lead him from God.
His temptations were many and strong. He finally fell into the common
practice of other kings around him, of having a plurality of wives, and
his life was imbittered by the evil results of polygamy. His first wrong
was in taking more than one wife, thus departing from God’s wise
arrangement. This departure from right, prepared the way for greater
errors. The kingly idolatrous nations considered it an addition to their
honor and dignity to have many wives, and David regarded it an honor
to his throne to possess several wives. But he was made to see the
wretched evil of such a course by the unhappy discord, rivalry and
jealousy among his numerous wives and children.
His crime in the case of Uriah and Bath-sheba was heinous in the
sight of God. A just and impartial God did not sanction or excuse these
sins in David, but sends a reproof, and heavy denunciation by Nathan,
his prophet, which portrays in living colors his grievous offense. David
had been blinded to his wonderful departure from God. He had excused
his own sinful course to himself, until his ways seemed passable in
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