Who is David? (#65)

“And David said unto Saul, Who am I? And what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” (1 Samuel 18:18)

“And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, ‘Who is David?’ …And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword…” (1 Samuel 25:10, 13)

Only seven chapters separate these two passages, but how different is the David of 1 Samuel 18 when compared with the David of 1 Samuel 25! In chapter 18, David was a young man fresh from the victory over Goliath. The nation was enamoured with him – “All Israel and Judah loved David” (18:16). The crown prince had befriended him (1 Samuel 18:1). The women of the nation sang his praises, “Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands” (18:7). And the king had offered the hand of his daughter in marriage to David.

David was the nation’s hero, yet his response to the king was, “Who am I? And what is my life or my father’s family in Israel that I should be son-in-law to the king?” David had a lowly heart that allowed him to be mightily used by God. The Lord says through Isaiah, “…to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit…” (Isaiah 66:2).

Now we fast-forward seven chapters and a few years to find that David is no longer a young shepherd boy. By now he had amassed a small army of six hundred men (22:2; 23:13). His men were hungry and he had heard that a wealthy man named Nabal was shearing his sheep, so he sent ten young men to ask Nabal for a gift. Evil Nabal’s reply was, “Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse?” (25:10, 13). David was incensed. “Gird ye on every man his sword,” he cried, as he set off with four hundred men, vowing to slay every male in Nabal’s household.

Sadly, David had forgotten the humility of an earlier day! Once he had said, “Who am I?” in response to the nation’s adoration of him. But times had changed. Back then he was just a young shepherd boy. Now he was a mighty warrior. Back then he was unknown. Now he had a name.

Outwardly David seemed to be doing well, but this appears to have been a low point in David’s life spiritually. Pride had crept into his heart. How insidious it is!

When David thought little of himself (“Who am I?”), he was forced to depend on God. And by God’s power he was able to destroy giants. But when David began to think much of himself, he lost his power with God and began to fear (23:26). During those dark days that his deception led to the death of 85 godly priests (1 Samuel 21) and his pride nearly cost many more innocent lives (1 Samuel 25).

Let’s be careful not to let pride creep into our lives. When we think a lot of ourselves, much of what we attempt to do will end up in disaster. But when we think little of ourselves and much of our God, then His power will be displayed. “My strength is made perfect through weakness.”