David's theology was well-develooped even as a young man, and he had incorporated that theology into his life and worship. See his use of a musical instrument for worship, which was also enjoyed by others, and his humble attitude toward receiving the anointing to be the next king. I Samuel, chapters 13, 15-. But what about his theories on the policy of rulership?
We catch glimpses of his attitude toward rulership as he flees from King Saul and accepts the kingdom after Saul's death. However, what was his attitude after going through 40 years of ruling the kingdom of Israel? His theology would have been through multiple tests, establishing his beliefs in forges of suffering and practicality at the end of his life. The bible gives a record of that in I Kings.
I saw a movie in the 80's starring Richard Gere as King David, and I know that Hollywood uses artistic license to enhance (in their minds) the entertainment value of movies based on the bible. However, I thought, "There's so much action and intrigue and just plain good storytelling in I and II Samuel about David; surely they wouldn't need to change much?!" How wrong I was. Perhaps the most egregious scene in the movie was the final instructions David gave to Solomon before his death. In the movie, David basically tells Solomon to follow his heart and be a nice guy, which is practically 180 degrees opposite from what the scriptures tell us he instructed Solomon. The movie version was so full of emotion and gush that I thought the song "Feelings" might start playing in the background any second. Read the following from I Kings 2:1-9 and see if you can find any modernist reletavism, follow-your-heart gushiness in it.
"Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel. Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother. And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood."
I don't see what the movie makers created out of whole cloth. I see David charging Solomon to a commitment to obedience to God's law not his own heart, a commitment to loyalty to God instead of being nice to people, a commitment to justice even if it meant justice for a loyal general of David's (Joab), a commitment to those who were loyal to David at his most difficult hour (Barzillai when Absalom lead the revolt against David), and a commitment to someone who cursed him as King, a capital offense under the law of Moses. So what was most important to David - with respect to general principles of rulership?
1. The law of God is the sole and central key to prosperity and God's blessing. 2. Justice, even if it means the death of friends, is fundamental and central to rulership. 3. Loyalty to those who stand with the ruler and with God's will is also fundamental and central.
I Chronicles provides more information on David's instructions to Solomon just not long before David's death: "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it." I Chron. 28:9-10. He also offers a prayer before the congregation which reveals much about his attitude toward the religion of the people, rulership, and his son Solomon:
"Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision." I Chron. 29:1-19.
David's principles can be expanded to: 1. The importance that religion be sincere in the heart of the ruler and the people. 2. God is more important than the ruler or the people. 3. The visible demonstration of who the God of a society is - the temple in the old covenant period - is very important. 4. A perfect heart before God is evidenced by obeying God's commandments.
No comments:
Post a Comment