A cold and lonely man, facing the consequences of poor parenting skills. This is the picture of king David, near the end of his life, as portrayed in 1 Kings one. Hardly a fitting picture of this man after God's own heart, characterized by feats of bravery and faith.
"Now King David was old, advanced in age; and they covered him with clothes, but he could not keep warm. So his servants said to him, 'Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the king, and let her attend the king and become his nurse; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm." (1 Kings 1:1-3)
In spite of having numerous wives and concubines, this unusual arrangement made to keep elderly king David warm seems to indicate a lonely man who has not achieved genuine intimacy and oneness in even one marriage relationship.
"Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, 'I will be king.' So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen with fifty men to run before him. His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, 'Why have you done so?' And he was also a very handsome man, and he was born after Absalom." (1 Kings 1:5-6)
One phrase is especially telling: "His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, 'Why have you done so?'" In spite of David's superior fighting skills and fervor for His walk with God, he apparently was sadly lacking in parental skills - at least with one son.
So, is this portrayal of a cold and lonely man, lacking in parental skills, designed to degrade his character? Hardly. It is an accurate picture of a flawed man who enjoyed the favor of God throughout his lifetime. And lingering on this fact should bring encouragement to us all. After all, who of us cannot point to at least some failure in marriage, parenting, or relationships in general? If these failures become our focus - and God's - then there is little reason for optimism and hope. But, the fact that God's blessings rested on David in SPITE of these failures is rich encouragement for us.
I've lately come to especially appreciate the fact that God has not preserved a sanitized record of the lives of His faithful people. A common characteristic of the record of the lives of Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, and so many others is that we see them "warts and all". We may idealize them in our minds as we interpret what we read, but God's biblical record is raw and unrefined. Imperfect people whom He blessed and used.
Sadly, too many people never pursue a vibrant walk with their Father, through His Son Jesus, because they just don't feel they are "good enough". And yet the biblical record is abundantly clear that God works with and through imperfect people.
I write these words today as one who stands in grace, not personal piety. His overwhelming grace provides the motivation to pursue an intimate walk with HIm through His Son. In my weakness and imperfection I find purpose and hope as I pursue the kingdom, my King, and my Father. May you find the same in abundance.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
"Now King David was old, advanced in age; and they covered him with clothes, but he could not keep warm. So his servants said to him, 'Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the king, and let her attend the king and become his nurse; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm." (1 Kings 1:1-3)
In spite of having numerous wives and concubines, this unusual arrangement made to keep elderly king David warm seems to indicate a lonely man who has not achieved genuine intimacy and oneness in even one marriage relationship.
"Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, 'I will be king.' So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen with fifty men to run before him. His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, 'Why have you done so?' And he was also a very handsome man, and he was born after Absalom." (1 Kings 1:5-6)
One phrase is especially telling: "His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, 'Why have you done so?'" In spite of David's superior fighting skills and fervor for His walk with God, he apparently was sadly lacking in parental skills - at least with one son.
So, is this portrayal of a cold and lonely man, lacking in parental skills, designed to degrade his character? Hardly. It is an accurate picture of a flawed man who enjoyed the favor of God throughout his lifetime. And lingering on this fact should bring encouragement to us all. After all, who of us cannot point to at least some failure in marriage, parenting, or relationships in general? If these failures become our focus - and God's - then there is little reason for optimism and hope. But, the fact that God's blessings rested on David in SPITE of these failures is rich encouragement for us.
I've lately come to especially appreciate the fact that God has not preserved a sanitized record of the lives of His faithful people. A common characteristic of the record of the lives of Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, and so many others is that we see them "warts and all". We may idealize them in our minds as we interpret what we read, but God's biblical record is raw and unrefined. Imperfect people whom He blessed and used.
Sadly, too many people never pursue a vibrant walk with their Father, through His Son Jesus, because they just don't feel they are "good enough". And yet the biblical record is abundantly clear that God works with and through imperfect people.
I write these words today as one who stands in grace, not personal piety. His overwhelming grace provides the motivation to pursue an intimate walk with HIm through His Son. In my weakness and imperfection I find purpose and hope as I pursue the kingdom, my King, and my Father. May you find the same in abundance.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:12 AM
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