This essay is concerned with David, King of Israel (1040-970 B.C.E). Among the topics examined are David's relation between man and God, and his accomplishments and failures.
In Jewish history, David comes forth as one of the most heroic, charismatic, and outstanding leaders ever seen. He was warrior, king, and poet. David expanded the borders of Israel, while at the same time composing the Psalms.
When Saul was still king, David received most of the glory upon returning from various battles of considerable importance. David was showered with garlands and adulation when he came back from war with the Philistines. In fact, David generated greater praise than King Saul himself:
Although Saul originally enjoyed and appreciated David, he soon began to envy his popularity. However, at one time, David played the harp in such a way that Saul's troubled moods were calmed and soothed.
And it was David, who slew the giant Goliath, an act that completely surprised Saul. For Saul had not realized that David was the courageous young man he was. But when David's light began to outshine Saul's, this proved to be more than the old king could tolerate. Saul, not very emotionally stable and worried about his throne, in at least two fits of anger, attempted to pin David against the wall with his spear. "And on the morrow an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand: and Saul cast the spear, for he thought, 'I will pin David to the wall.' But David evaded him twice" (1 Samuel 18:10-11).
Saul was not a man to be taken in a frivolous manner. Israel, through the Prophet Samuel, made Saul their first king. The Israelites had clamored for a king, not so much to fight their battles as to judge them; and they wanted to have invested in him authority over their lives. But Samuel, worried that such a king mi...