What was David most known for? I think the following verse summarizes his life well: “So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.” (Psalms 78:72) If you read through the story of his life in 1 & 2 Samuel, you see all the times he walked with integrity. That word means completeness, innocence, simplicity. He wholly followed God.
Even God thought integrity was one of David’s outstanding characteristics. After David’s son Solomon built the temple, God said to him: “And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.” (1Kings 9:4-5)
I love reading David’s life story in 1 & 2 Samuel and his prayers and commentary in Psalms. God recorded those for a testimony of what He loves to see in His children. Here’s an example: “A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.” (Ps 101:1-4 AV)
David’s integrity didn’t escape the notice of his son Solomon. He commented on the importance of integrity in Proverbs:
- “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” (Pr 11:3 AV)
- “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” (Pr 19:1 AV)
- “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” (Pr 20:7 AV)
Solomon was living proof of that. He enjoyed God’s blessing that resulted from his father’s integrity.
Now back to David. He knew that God loves those who wholly trust, obey and follow Him rather than follow their own instincts and impulses. And so David walked uprightly, trusting God to do His part. Here are his prayers.
- “The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.” (Ps 7:8 )
- “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.” (Ps 25:21)
- “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.” (Ps 26:1)
- “But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” (Ps 26:11)
If living a life of integrity sounds too intimidating, start with moments of integrity. Take any circumstance today and choose to handle it wisely with innocent trust in God.
Jody