Faulty But Blessed (1 Chronicles 14)

Does God bless faulty but repentant people? What can we learn about God’s mercy and grace in his dealings with a very imperfect David? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 14.

Did God establish David as king over Israel and give Him a royal house?

Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and craftsmen of walls and craftsmen of wood, to build a house for him. Thus David knew that Yahweh had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was lifted up, for the sake of His people Israel. (1 Chr 14:1-2 LSB)

How could David be called a man after God’s own heart when he took multiple wives against God’s law?

Then David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet. (1 Chr 14:3-7 NASB)

Does God discourage us by revealing all our sins at once or wait until we are ready? Did David repent of polygamy and separate from all his wives but one in later life?

When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows. (2 Samuel 20:3 NIV)

Did David ask God’s will before attacking the raiding Philistines? Did God bless this imperfect man?

Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” The Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.” So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. (1 Chr 14:8-12 NKJV)

Did David again seek God’s will before attacking the raiding Philistines?

But after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” So David did what God commanded, and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread everywhere, and the Lord caused all the nations to fear David. (1 Chr 14:13-17 NLT)

Who deserves all the glory, when God uses imperfect people?

For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong. God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, that no flesh should boast before God. (1 Cor 1:26-29)

Does God bless faulty but repentant people? What can we learn about God’s mercy and grace in his dealings with a very imperfect David? You decide!