Lying: David
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Topical Encyclopedia
David, the second king of Israel and a man described as "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), is a central figure in the Bible whose life is marked by both profound faith and human frailty. Among the complexities of his character is the occurrence of lying, which appears in several instances throughout his narrative. These episodes provide insight into the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by David, as well as the consequences of deceit.

David and Ahimelech the Priest

One of the most notable instances of David lying occurs in 1 Samuel 21:1-9. Fleeing from King Saul, David arrives at Nob and encounters Ahimelech the priest. When Ahimelech inquires about David's presence, David deceives him by claiming, "The king has ordered me on some business and told me, ‘Let no one know anything about the mission or the instructions I have given you’" (1 Samuel 21:2). This lie leads to tragic consequences, as Saul later orders the massacre of the priests of Nob, holding them complicit in aiding David (1 Samuel 22:11-19).

David and Achish, King of Gath

Another instance of deception is found in David's interactions with Achish, the king of Gath. In 1 Samuel 27, David seeks refuge among the Philistines and becomes a vassal of Achish. To maintain his cover, David conducts raids against various groups but reports to Achish that he is attacking the Israelites and their allies. "David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he said, 'Otherwise they will report us, saying, "This is what David did."' And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory" (1 Samuel 27:11). This deception allows David to gain Achish's trust while protecting his own people.

David and the Amalekite

In 2 Samuel 1, an Amalekite brings news to David of Saul's death, claiming to have killed Saul himself. The Amalekite likely expects a reward, but David, who respects Saul as the Lord's anointed, orders the man to be executed for his self-proclaimed act. The Amalekite's lie, intended to curry favor, results in his death, illustrating the peril of deceit.

David and Bathsheba

David's most infamous act of deception occurs in the context of his sin with Bathsheba. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and learning of her pregnancy, David attempts to cover up the sin by summoning her husband, Uriah, from the battlefield, hoping Uriah will sleep with his wife and assume paternity. When Uriah refuses to go home, David resorts to a more sinister plan, instructing Joab to place Uriah at the front lines where he is killed (2 Samuel 11:14-17). This series of lies and manipulations leads to severe consequences for David, including the death of the child born to Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:14-18).

Moral and Theological Reflections

David's experiences with lying highlight the moral complexities and the human propensity to sin, even among those chosen by God for significant purposes. These narratives serve as cautionary tales about the destructive power of deceit and the importance of integrity. Despite his failings, David's life also exemplifies the possibility of repentance and redemption, as seen in his heartfelt confession and plea for mercy in Psalm 51. Through these accounts, the Bible underscores the need for truthfulness and the grace available to those who turn back to God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Samuel 21:2
And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me, Let no man know any thing of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

And to Holy David Indeed it Might More Justly be Said...
Against Lying. <. ... Section 22. And to holy David indeed it might
more justly be said? 22. And to holy David indeed it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 22 and to holy.htm

A Soldier who Spared his Enemy
... will go down with me to Saul's camp?" Abishai said, "I will go with you." So David
and Abishai came to the people by night, and Saul was lying asleep inside ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a soldier who spared his.htm

Friendship; Or, David and Jonathan
... done his valiant deed, and had seen the dead bodies lying as they had fallen before
him and his armour-bearer. Then follows the story of David's killing Goliath ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon v friendship or david.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42, Where the Lord Asks ...
... For this Son of David, that is, "of the seed of David according to the flesh," is ...
3042] For when this stone is stumbled against, it lieth low; by lying low, it ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xli on the words.htm

David and Goliath.
... one hill, and that of the Philistines was upon another; a valley lying between. ...
Meanwhile Jesse had sent David to the Israelites' camp to see after his brethren ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/david and goliath.htm

How Jadon the Prophet was Persuaded by Another Lying Prophet and ...
... From The Death Of David To The Death Of Ahab. CHAPTER 9. How Jadon The Prophet Was
Persuaded By Another Lying Prophet And Returned [To Bethel,] And Was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how jadon the.htm

Concerning the Gates and Chambers Lying on the South Side of the ...
... Century Chapters 31-40 Chapter 31 Concerning the Gates and Chambers lying on the ...
for "none might sit in the court, unless kings only of the stock of David.". ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 31 concerning the gates.htm

The History of David
... And on a time when Joab was out with his men of war lying at a siege tofore a city,
David was at home, and walked in his chamber, and as he looked out at a ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... like a light thing in his right hand, but he carried it as lying on his ... war between
the Hebrews and the Philistines was going on, Saul sent away David to his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how the philistines.htm

David Appointing Solomon
... that he bore no goodwill to Zadok, his colleague, or to David for making ... they sat
at Adonijah's feast, when they thought of the decrepit old king lying in his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david appointing solomon.htm

Resources
Should the Hebrew midwives be commended for lying? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira for lying? | GotQuestions.org

Is it ever right to lie? | GotQuestions.org

Lying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Lying

Lying About Giving

Lying Lips

Lying: A Characteristic of the Apostasy

Lying: A Hindrance to Prayer

Lying: An Abomination to God

Lying: Ananias

Lying: Antinomians Guilty of

Lying: Cain

Lying: Cretans

Lying: David

Lying: Excludes from Heaven

Lying: False Prophets Addicted To

Lying: False Witnesses Addicted To

Lying: Folly of Concealing Hatred By

Lying: Forbidden

Lying: Gehazi

Lying: Gibeonites

Lying: Hateful to God

Lying: Hypocrites Addicted To

Lying: Hypocrites, a Seed of

Lying: Jacob

Lying: Job's Friends

Lying: Joseph's Brethren

Lying: Leads to Hatred

Lying: Leads to Love of Impure Conversation

Lying: Lying Spirit from God

Lying: Michal

Lying: Ninevites

Lying: Often Accompanied by Gross Crimes

Lying: Peter

Lying: Poverty Preferable To

Lying: Prophet of Bethel

Lying: Punishment For

Lying: Saints: Avoid

Lying: Saints: Hate

Lying: Saints: Pray to be Preserved From

Lying: Saints: Reject Those Who Practise

Lying: Saints: Respect not Those Who Practise

Lying: Samson

Lying: Sarah

Lying: Saul

Lying: Shall be Detected

Lying: The Devil

Lying: The Devil Excites Men To

Lying: The Devil, the Father of

Lying: The Evil of Rulers Hearkening To

Lying: The Wicked: Addicted To, from Their Infancy

Lying: The Wicked: Bring Forth

Lying: The Wicked: Delight In

Lying: The Wicked: Give Heed To

Lying: The Wicked: Love

Lying: The Wicked: Prepare Their Tongues For

Lying: The Wicked: Seek After

Lying: They Who are Guilty of, Shall be Cast Into Hell

Lying: Unbecoming in Rulers

Lying: Vanity of Getting Riches By

Related Terms

Lying-in-wait (1 Occurrence)

Lie (291 Occurrences)

Slept (74 Occurrences)

Wrappings (7 Occurrences)

Intimately (6 Occurrences)

Cloths (16 Occurrences)

Strips (9 Occurrences)

Lip (20 Occurrences)

Leasing (2 Occurrences)

Incumbent (1 Occurrence)

Prostrate (25 Occurrences)

Bottom (33 Occurrences)

Ambush (39 Occurrences)

Mouths (86 Occurrences)

Sees (135 Occurrences)

Linen (111 Occurrences)

Home (270 Occurrences)

Home (270 Occurrences)

Graecia

Path (91 Occurrences)

Wait (223 Occurrences)

Clothes (208 Occurrences)

Vanities (14 Occurrences)

North (164 Occurrences)

Uz (8 Occurrences)

Lieth (135 Occurrences)

Litter (1 Occurrence)

Wrapped (40 Occurrences)

Warp (9 Occurrences)

Illyricum (1 Occurrence)

Flat (33 Occurrences)

Feeding (37 Occurrences)

Trough (7 Occurrences)

Throws (8 Occurrences)

Traverse (5 Occurrences)

Truthful (12 Occurrences)

East (228 Occurrences)

Enticing (6 Occurrences)

Entice (15 Occurrences)

Divinations (10 Occurrences)

Dalmatia (1 Occurrence)

Deceitful (46 Occurrences)

Mat (17 Occurrences)

Morsels (5 Occurrences)

Manger (7 Occurrences)

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)

Hateth (38 Occurrences)

Pushed (28 Occurrences)

Pillow (8 Occurrences)

Paralyzed (11 Occurrences)

Paralytic (12 Occurrences)

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)

Baby (23 Occurrences)

Beeshterah (1 Occurrence)

Babe (15 Occurrences)

Churl (6 Occurrences)

Cloth (57 Occurrences)

Ashterothkarnaim

Ashteroth-karnaim (1 Occurrence)

Adria (1 Occurrence)

Ashtaroth (13 Occurrences)

Shoa (2 Occurrences)

Snapped (4 Occurrences)

Stabbed (6 Occurrences)

Stooped (15 Occurrences)

Sprawl (1 Occurrence)

Shoves (2 Occurrences)

Stooping (4 Occurrences)

Quickly (254 Occurrences)

Wouldest (66 Occurrences)

Rising (162 Occurrences)

Risen (169 Occurrences)

Mute (29 Occurrences)

Prevail (50 Occurrences)

Jezreel (37 Occurrences)

Infants (71 Occurrences)

Hatred (30 Occurrences)

Thrust (92 Occurrences)

Lying: Cretans
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