There has been a lot of talk lately comparing president Trump to king David. The idea goes something like this: “king David, though imperfect and deeply flawed, was chosen and used by God for His purposes. Trump, likewise, is also deeply flawed, but this does not mean God isn’t using him to fulfill His purposes in this nation and around the world.”
I find this line of reasoning, equally, deeply flawed. Not because I think that neither of these men are/were flawed. They both certainly are/were.
I am tempted to say they are flawed, “like the rest of us”, but honestly, I don’t really think that is true. I, for one, am convinced that David was worse than me. I am not saying that I am sinless. Far from it. However, he simply did some atrocious things…God-awful things! And, I am not just looking at the low-hanging fruit of Uriah and Bathsheba when I say this (though this is the primary story for this post). That was bad enough, but he was flawed in so many ways that it is hard to create a list in this blog. If you would like a list, check out Wil Gafney’s illuminating book, “Womanist Midrash”. It is FASCINATING!!! CLICK HERE
At any rate, David did some really bad things that most of us would never dream of doing. And his wicked ways didn’t end with the Bathsheba incident, as if he had repented and never hurt anyone ever again. No, he continued to do wrong until his death.
Voting for King David
The question I want to pose is this:
Given what we know of David, if he were running for president of the United States, would you vote for him? Why or why not?
Let’s say his name was Larry Kendrickson, not King David. And, let’s say that it was a well-known fact that he raped (yes, I think he raped Bathsheba…like she had a choice) the wife of his campaign manager which ends with her getting pregnant. He then convinces his manager to come home (maybe he will think the baby is his?), but his manager is so dedicated that, when he comes home, he refuses, even while drunk, to stay at his house, stating that all those under him are working tirelessly on the campaign and that it just didn’t feel right.
So, Candidate Kendrickson calls in a favor from a guy he met once to cut the brakelines on the manager’s car, “make it look like an accident”, he said. “Make sure he is leading the way to our next event and take the route with the most curves and cliffs…I’m going to pretend to be ill that day and stay home.” The “favor-guy” does what is asked of him and the manager meets an untimely death.
REMEMBER…YOU KNOW ALL OF THIS BEFORE YOU VOTE
Just so you don’t think I am conveniently leaving out anything, I want you to also assume that Larry’s advisor suspects Larry had something to do with the “accident”, though it was never proven. His advisor tricks him into telling the truth, and Larry feels awful upon his confession. He repents and asks God to forgive him, which of course, God does.
So, would you vote for Larry? Would he get your unwavering support, given that you know all of these details before going to the ballot box? I doubt it, but perhaps this isn’t the best question to be asking.
To say that God can use Trump as he used David is a no-brainer. Of course God can!!! God is God and He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants with whomever He wants. This comes with the gig of being God, as far as I can tell.
But saying that God used David isn’t the same thing as saying that we should vote for David…or Larry.
God selected David, but He also selected Nathan to confront David.
God selected Herod, but He also selected John the Baptist.
God selected Pharaoh, but He also selected Moses.
Voting for King David
It seems to me that part of the church’s task is to be the prophet! We aren’t called to show our unwavering and, often, partisan support, for our leaders (regardless of what letter they have in front of their name). And I say partisan because those who believe God chose Trump were eerily silent when Obama was president. But certainly God chose Obama as well.
So, maybe we should stop talking about who we vote for. If you feel compelled to vote for Trump, then so be it. I, for one, can’t bring myself to cast my vote for Larry, but perhaps Larry will run against someone even worse than himself, in which case…who knows?!
Again, the church isn’t called to laud and show undying support for any leader. We are called to pray for them. And, by biblical example, we are called to prophesy to them and hold them accountable.
I am convinced the church should act more like Nathan.
Interesting line of reasoning. Is there any biblical evidence that Bathsheba was raped?
David was a man after God’s own heart. Has Trump shown to seek God’s will?
The rape is more interpretive than expressed. But, I try to imagine what would have happened to her had she refused the king. I don’t think she had a choice.
As for Trump’s seeking of God’s will, I have no idea. Some say yes, others say no. I personally haven’t seen anything that looks like he has, but I only see what others want me to see.
IF we can take a little liberty by extrapolating Matthew 7:15-20 to Presidents and political leaders; by this standard, what “fruits” did Obama display? Bush? Clinton? America, right now, under Trump’s leadership, is the strongest, most prosperous it has ever been. What is the job of the President, if not to produce, or help to produce, prosperity, strength, and ultimately, peace? Trump is in office, because God put him there…same as ALL past Presidents. In the end, we must all vote our conscience. Hopefully your vote is based on reality, not a pre-conceived notion that someone else gave you…
Perry, it sounds like you’re working towards building a kingdom here on earth. Jesus was incredibly intentional and clear– the Kingdom we’re to focus on is God’s.
It doesn’t sound like Perry wants an earthly kingdom, just one that produces a country that betters the world and the lives of its people.
I think we can have the priority of living for God’s kingdom, yet also be mature and intelligent enough to reason at what the better choice is for our leaders when it’s given to us. And thank God we live in a country where the choice is largely ours.
That means we have deep responsibility; we play a role in the lives of those around us. Do we vote for infringement of human rights with larger, more tyrannical government? Or do we vote for a leader who is seeking peace throughout the world, bettering the lives of people of color and the less fortunate here, and respecting the rights of individuals? There’s no doubt in my mind that any leader we would vote on today is corrupt to a degree, Republican or Democrat, but let’s love our neighbor enough not to strip more human rights away from them by limiting or eradicating their ability to make the best choices for their own lives.
Preach it, brother! When I see what the Spirit was revealing to you in this post, I recognize what the Spirit has also been revealing to me and others who are praying for discernment and guidance. How can modern-day, American Christians best show love and devotion to the Father and also be love-in-action to those around us? Is it by working with unapologetically flawed politicians so we can have better control of the nation’s laws? How can that be the right answer? Where does the Bible point us in that direction?
Thanks for another thought-provoking post, Rob!
Awesome post! Keep up the great work! 🙂
This is a side issue… But is it a necessary assumption that God chooses every political leader? That has serious implications against the idea that God is good. Maybe God doesn’t select our presidents, but people do.
I don’t think it is a necessary assumption. It is an assumption many make, however. Oddly, those who hold this view seem to only talk about it when “their politician” is in the driver’s seat. Good thoughts.