The complex character of David will never be fully understood. His obvious ability to inspire loyalty and love is clear, but as a father he has fatal flaws.

On the positive side, he manages to do what no one else could. He unites the twelve tribes into one kingdom, and with great political savvy establishes the capital city in a place particular to no tribe, the mountain fortress of Jerusalem.

To this political center he brings the Ark of the Covenant, which had long sojourned in a tent at one shrine city after another. Now both God and king dwell within the same walls, so all eyes turn toward Mount Zion. He lays the groundwork for a temple for his God and does the preliminary purchasing of materials. All this, his work as politician, military man and servant of his God, stands him in good stead. But as a father, David is weak.

Given the number of his wives, eight, and the resulting band of competitive offspring, family life must have been noisy and undisciplined. There was no law for dynastic succession, and David fails to name a successor. The inevitable result is a jockeying for power among the elder sons, Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah.

The greatest tragedy occurs when the handsome, loved Absalom begins a civil war against his father. He has killed his half-brother, Amnon, and then has himself proclaimed king at the ancient city of Hebron. With a large following, he marches on Jerusalem.

David has a dilemma: Does he make a stand and force his people to take sides, leading to bloodshed? Does he flee, hoping for diplomacy and the passing of time to defuse this rebellion?

David chooses to avoid forcing a father-son battle and leaves Jerusalem with open gates. In a touching gesture he sends the Ark of the Covenant back into the city, saying: "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord he will bring me back and let me see both it and the place where it stays. But if he says, 'I take no pleasure in you', here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him."

David understands that God belongs to all the people, not just to the king. Whatever his weaknesses as a parent, David has learned that the kingship comes from God.

Bible references: I Sam. 13: 15