Topical Bible: Parents: Good - Exemplified: David

◄ Parents: Good - Exemplified: David ►

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David, the second king of Israel, is often remembered for his heart after God and his significant role in the history of Israel. As a parent, David's life provides both positive examples and cautionary tales. However, his deep love and care for his children are evident in several instances, showcasing his role as a good parent.

1. Love and Grief for His Children: David's profound love for his children is most poignantly illustrated in his grief over the death of his son Absalom. Despite Absalom's rebellion against him, David's heart was broken at his death. In 2 Samuel 18:33 , David laments, "O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!" This expression of grief highlights David's deep paternal love, showing that his affection for his children transcended their actions against him.

2. Provision and Care: David ensured that his children were well-provided for and cared for. As king, he had the resources to offer them a life of privilege and opportunity. His provision for his family is seen in the way he established his sons in positions of authority and influence, as noted in 2 Samuel 8:18 , "David’s sons were priests."

3. Spiritual Instruction: David's role as a spiritual leader extended to his family. He composed many of the Psalms, which were not only expressions of his personal faith but also served as spiritual instruction for the nation and his household. His emphasis on worship and reliance on God would have been a significant influence on his children, instilling in them the importance of a relationship with God.

4. Solomon's Wisdom and Reign: David's influence as a father is perhaps most clearly seen in the life of Solomon, his son and successor. Before his death, David gave Solomon specific instructions regarding his reign and relationship with God. In 1 Kings 2:1-4 , David charges Solomon to "walk in His ways and keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees." This guidance laid the foundation for Solomon's request for wisdom and his early successful reign.

5. Repentance and Humility: David's life was marked by repentance and humility, qualities he likely imparted to his children. His response to his own sin with Bathsheba, as recorded in Psalm 51, is a powerful example of seeking God's forgiveness and striving to live righteously. This attitude would have served as a model for his children, teaching them the importance of humility and repentance.

While David's family life was fraught with challenges and failures, his love, provision, spiritual guidance, and personal example of faith and repentance offer valuable lessons on good parenting. His life underscores the complexity of family dynamics and the enduring impact of a parent's love and faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 18:5,33
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Heavenly Contemplation Exemplified, and the Whole Work Concluded.
... HEAVENLY CONTEMPLATION EXEMPLIFIED, AND THE WHOLE WORK CONCLUDED. ... a family live in
love; husband and wife, parents, children and ... my Lord bid me be of good cheer ...
/.../the saints everlasting rest/chapter xvi heavenly contemplation exemplified.htm

Letter iv. On the Reading and Study of the Holy Scriptures
... to them that ask him, than earthly parents are to ... find some principle or law of his
moral government exemplified. ... If they are good men, you will see, in their ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter iv on the reading.htm

From the Conference of 1773 to the Commencement of the War in 1776
... These suspicions, however, though not yet exemplified in any ... He resolved to begin
in good earnest; and ... to heaven, wives their husbands: parents their children ...
/.../chapter 1 from the conference.htm

The First Great Deception.
... to-day, as he overcame our first parents, by shaking ... of kindness, mercy, and love,
taught and exemplified by our ... justice upon the wicked, for the good of the ...
/.../33 the first great deception.htm

The First Great Deception
... men today, as he overcame our first parents, by shaking ... kindness, mercy, and love,
taught and exemplified by our ... justice upon the wicked, for the good of the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 33 the first great.htm

Match-Making.
... This right is plainly exemplified in sacred history. ... But it never was nor can be
good as an ... of a companion for life, from which neither parents nor children ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxiii match-making.htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... in Christians, and watchfulness, [483]169; exemplified in the ... 157; their duties to
serve with good will, [545 ... of the sin of rebellion against parents, [562]159. ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

Critical Notes.
... Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; (but he ... divorce a mere "myth," and
played many good-humored jokes on ... We have the same law exemplified on a large ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/critical notes.htm

The Origin of Species.
... for no assignable reason, from its parents by a ... the habit of indulging, much to the
good farmer's vexation ... This is strikingly exemplified by the case of Gratio ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xii the origin of species.htm

Of Civil Government.
... we are not bound to act the part of good subjects to ... be less bound in duty to their
parents, and wives ... own duty, this ought especially to be exemplified in the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm