DAVID, THE KING WHO SINNED AND REPENTED FROM HIS SIN

XI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - 2 Samuel 12:7-10,13

The political greatness of David

Time and again, the Bible sings the praises of David, the great king, warrior, legislator, composer and poet, who left an enduring legacy to the people of Israel. He secured the future of the Kingdom of Israel by defeating the various enemies that surrounded them and that constantly threatened its very existence, specially the Philistines. As one of his greatest feats was the conquest of Jerusalem, which he established as a stronghold for the defence of the Kingdom. David was a great statesman, who dedicated his whole life to the service of the people.

He was accepted as a prophet by future generations, because his kingship was seen in itself as a prophecy of the kingship of the Messiah and because many of the Psalms, attributed to him, are considered as messianic.

David’s shortcomings

However, in spite of his greatness, his personal and family life were a mess. He committed adultery and murder in order to hide his adultery. As a father and a king, he is not able to control and then to punish his firstborn son, when he raped his half-sister. That inability to keep his house in order brought about the revolt of his son Absalom, who forced David to abandon Jerusalem and to retreat to Mahanaim, beyond the Jordan.

David repented from his sin

What is interesting is that the Bible speaks openly about David's shortcomings and his sin. In the end, David's greatness resides not in is political achievements, but in his readiness to accept his sin and to ask for forgiveness.

When challenged by the prophet Nathan, he said: "I have sinned against the Lord." (2 Sam 12:13). David is the sinner who repented, and took responsibility for his actions. With David, we can learn as well that there is no ruler who is beyond reproach; and they must be challenged and denounced when they themselves break the law. They are not above the law; and they must be made to realise that their evil deeds bring misfortune to the whole community to which they preside.