1 Chronicles 29:26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place. Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the Chronicles of Samuel the seer, and in the Chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and in the Chronicles of Gad the seer, with accounts of all his rule and his might and of the circumstances that came upon him and upon Israel and upon all the kingdoms of the countries.
When we read this summary it would appear that David’s life was one of wealth and honor. We might even think he cheated what happens to us normal humans. We might even have a jealous thought. However, David’s life was far from trouble-free. We see Saul pursued him and wanted to put him to death because Saul was jealous of David. For seven years David was fearful wand hiding from Saul. David’s own son’s tried to overtake the throne. David was tempted and committed adultery. He ordered the death of the man of the wife he had adultery with. Two of his sons died.
David had trials and troubles at the hands of others choices and also because of choices he made. He had times of joy and times of sorrow, times of plenty and times of not, times of honor and times of not. The thing that sets David apart from most is his heart, mind, and soul for God. He wanted above all else to honor God with his life. However, we see how a man like David can get sideways and must take note that we must be aware of temptations our sinful nature wants to run after. If a man like David can be tempted away how much more so can we.
My fear is that we are not tempted away but rather are not close enough to God or committed to living for Him. We are living in a lukewarm, neutral, complacent, and neglectful lifestyles so that there is nothing to tempt us toward because we are already living there. How sad is that? Always be in His word with a true heart deep desire to continuously think, speak, and act to always bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ. Stay in His word to know and be aware of temptations common to all mankind and the hope we have in the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead, guide, into knowledge and understanding of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ and to light our path each day.
