2nd Samuel 22:36, “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.”
God's gentleness made David great, by providing the humble shepherd boy turned king with wisdom, compassion, strength and encouragement during trying times. The Lord's gentleness is reflected in His humble and patient dealings with David, which ultimately led to his success and greatness as a leader.
When David commit the horrible sins of adultery with Bathsheba and then murdered her husband Uriah, God forgave David several months when he repented. God continued to use David, although in a limited capacity due to his tarnished reputation in the kingdom. When a leader's name is tarnished, it weakness his effectiveness and influence for Christ.
It could be that the most influential moments in David’s experience of God were not when “the earth shook and trembled” or when “the foundations also of the hills moved” (1st Samuel 18:7b). Perhaps it was when David was when he spared Saul’s life, not once but twice (1st Samuel 24 and 26). Or when David took Mephibosheth, the crippled survivor of Saul’s wrecked dynasty, into his own home (2nd Samuel 9). Or when David protected the survivor of one of Saul’s senseless massacres with his own life (1st Samuel 22-23).
David, the mighty warrior king had great gentleness. It was a gentleness that he had learned from his great and gentle God. The adage is very true: Great men are gentlemen. And gentle men are truly great!
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