The Dichotomy of David

Psalm 51:10 (KJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

At the beginning of the Psalm we are told that this was written after Nathan had confronted David with his sin regarding Bathsheba.  In the context of that blatant disobedience and failure on David’s part, we have a long confession of guilt and throwing himself on the mercy of God.  Why was Saul rejected and David continually restored?  Why was David called a man after God’s own heart?  Read this chapter and find out.

I think David knew he had sinned, but it took Nathan to force the issue.  Would David have eventually come to this position without Nathan?  I guess it’s possible but this is the way it happened and here he is calling out in repentance.  I like that idea of renewal that is presented here.  That is a constant hope that we have.

So?  David was a failure in so many ways.  He was a success in the way that counts.  He lived in constant repentance and awareness of his failure.  That’s a good example for us.