The Problem of Evil and King David’s Life

 

Eric V. Snow  8-23-03 Sermonette Ann Arbor, Michigan UCG 

 

Over the years I’ve listened to at least three people in the church who were critical of King David’s high position in God’s sight.  That is, they felt something like he was allowed to get away with actions we as Christians today wouldn’t be.  How could a man who (say) engaged in polygamy or waged war or had Uriah the Hittite killed in order to cover up an adulterous pregnancy be a man after God’s own heart?

 

Is this perspective legitimate?  Are we allowed to judge God for judging King David to be an especially righteous man?  Are we in a position to be able to know King David’s heart, let alone anyone else’s besides our own?

 

S.P.S.  So let’s consider why we shouldn’t think God is being unfair to us when He says King David was an especially spiritual man.

 

Here the problem of evil rears its ugly head.   Has many different variations, be wary of them.  Normally about why (say) God allows famines, earthquakes, cyclones, wars, etc., that kill thousands or millions of people.  Individualizing it, another variation is to doubt God’s love for self when don’t get enough material blessings in this life.  Often raised so people can discount God’s existence, and go out to do the evil THEY wish to do, such as (say) fornication and adultery.

 

Concerning King David, issue raised about God’s justice for the saved.

 

Acts 13:22

 

Now, King David had a dubious record:  Uriah incident, cover up adultery with Bathsheba by having him murdered with the connivance of Joab using the swords of the Ammonites.  Waged war, was a bloody man, not allowed to build Temple.  Had at least 8 wives and other women as concubines.  Took census when provoked by Satan.  Feigned loyalty to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, when would have had to fight vs. Israel.  Had earlier faked madness to Achish also, after he had first fled from Saul.

 

So is this the record of a man after God’s own heart? 

 

It’s our job to live righteously and faithfully for God.  We shouldn’t focus on what other people, in the church or in the world, seem to be “getting away with” if they are abusing God’s grace.  Let’s work on our own problems first, and leave to God other people’s overall levels of righteousness.

 

Matt. 20:1-16, esp. vs. 12-15.

 

Likewise, is it “fair” for God to offer the few called now the opportunity to be in the First Resurrection, and most of the presently uncalled end up in the Second?  More trials now, but higher position in the kingdom.  Same with God using Israel as a model nation for the world first, before using gentiles.

 

2.  Progressive revelation:  Polygamy, waging war examples.  God doesn’t reveal all at once.  David not held to same standard as we are since we know more than him.  Is that unfair to him?  Or unfair to us?  Or both?  God doesn’t wish to overwhelm people all at once with the truth.  Vs. Kant’s statement:  “If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”

 

3. Do we really know David’s mental and spiritual state?  Did he really repent?  Did he commit adultery again? 

 

I Samuel 16:6-7

 

Even a spiritual man like Samuel blundered in this regard.  Example:  If Princess Diana looked more average, like (well) Carmelia, would have England mourned her passing so much?  We’re so easily blinded by physical beauty and appearances. 

 

Great rewards, greater temptations problem when have greater responsibilities.  David’s sins all written down for world to see, not concealed.  Our sins not so public!  Consequences more public and deadly also:  Absalom’s revolt an indirect consequence of mess with Bathsheba.  Had been too indulgent in family life.

 

Conclusion:  We need to focus on solving our own problems, not worrying about whether God is letting someone else “off” or not.  We need to realize that God doesn’t reveal all at once to everyone, so we’re more responsible for knowing more than King David did.  We should also be wary of thinking we know others’ spiritual status in God’s sight when it involves matters of attitude and belief.  If God lets us all off for our sins, greater or lesser, who are we to condemn God for His treatment of King David?