The Willem

A Tale of Three Kings

// October 31st, 2009 // Reflection

A Tale of Three Kings is an eye-opening expansion of the story of King David’s life, incorporating King Saul and King Absolom as well. Gene Edwards, a long-time Baptist pastor and evangelist, has done a masterful job portraying King David’s true character, including how that character may have developed throughout his many times of trial. The book is presented in an entirely unique style for the “Christian Living” genre, opting to invite the reader in to a play or show, rather than simply presenting a straightforward message. This theme helps to capture the reader’s attention and helps to provide an immediate level of comfort, making the headlong plunge into King David’s world that much easier.
In the prologue, Edwards declares the intent of the book to be a vehicle of healing for brokenhearted Christians, with a specific emphasis on those harmed by the Authoritarian Movement in Evangelistic sects. The reason for this emphasis is easy to see after the first several chapters, as he set up such a clear depiction of King Saul as an overbearing, self-serving madman who would let nothing stop him from gaining and maintaining absolute control of “his” Kingdom of God. Much like King David could have been, many Christians have been harmed, broken, and embittered by the Authoritarian Movement; Edwards’ intent is to open eyes to the wounds both felt and caused, to facilitate healing of those wounds, and to truncate the perpetuation of the harmful cycle (as we see King David attempting to do by his handling of King Absolom’s rebellion).
I found myself continually impressed and surprised at the insight being pulled from King David’s actions, thoughts, and words. While Edwards doesn’t quote scripture throughout, he follows and depicts the narrative of King David’s life, with details added at every turn. He does not claim these details to be historically accurate or scripturally holy, but they help in both painting the heart of King David and in increasing the reality of the events in the story. Of particular import were the dialogues between King David and his family, his friends, his advisors, and himself.
Another feeling I gleaned from the text was the sorrow and respect King David felt both for King Saul and for King Absolom. At no point did he speak ill of either man, wish ill for either man, or act malevolently towards either man. I found myself feeling the same way: instead of having anger or bitterness towards those in authority over me when they acted in a way I disagreed with, I remembered their appointment by God, which led me to respect them appropriately.
I genuinely enjoyed Edwards’ writing style and the book as a whole. He was easy to read without feeling unchallenged intellectually. Any time an author can publish a work that is easy to read, but challenges the reader to grow intellectually, spiritually, and relationally, he has done well. I will be looking into other titles from him and am looking forward to his unique presentation of other topics.
After describing King David’s youth and rapidly progressing to the heart of his interplay with King Saul, Edwards depicts the scene in which King Saul is throwing spears at King David, which leads to a fateful question we must all ask ourselves: “What do you do when someone throws a spear at you?” In today’s world, of course, we are not frequently confronted with this exact question, as spears aren’t necessarily a part of everyday life. However, the premise still applies: what do you do when someone is hurling insults, attacks, and the like at you? Furthermore, what do you do when that someone is in authority over you? If you’re King David’s friends, advisors, family, almost any member of humanity, or anyone of the order of King Saul, you chuck it right back, clearly. This is, of course, the normal reaction of the world.
However, King David is not of this world. Those in the order of King David are not of this world. His reaction is not of this world. What was King David’s reaction? “What do you do when someone throws spears at you? Well, you get stabbed to death, of course.” Allowing yourself to be stabbed to death does not, to the world, sound all too kingly. However, Edwards wasn’t speaking of a bodily death. He was speaking of the metaphorical death of the King Saul inside each and every one of us. The explanation of this idea is that “spears will never touch you, even when they pierce the heart.” Allowing yourself to be assaulted and attacked gives God the control of your life, rather than trying to take your life into your own hands. King David displayed not only the patience required to truly respect one’s divinely-appointed authority, but the character necessary to maintain the purity of heart he would forever be known by.
Since then we can determine in our heart not to fight back or take the situation into our own hands, we need the practical steps Gene Edwards so poignantly describes in Chapter Seven. There are three steps to take when you discover spears are being sent in your direction: never learn the fashionable exercise of spear throwing, avoid spending your time with and listening to spear-throwers, and learn to keep your mouth shut. The first two points are rather easy to understand, as doing so would eliminate your position of grace. The last point is often overlooked in today’s church. Speaking out against spear-throwers (be this in protest or in accusation) is simply a verbal spear. Keeping mum can go a long way towards building respect for authority in your heart.
King David was a true sufferer. The man simply knew how to take pain while giving glory to God. Not that his trials were necessarily physically painful, but the emotional and spiritual anguish we all go through are often overlooked and, in some cases, completely ignored. Early in the book, Edwards speaks of God’s want for broken vessels, His possessing very few of them, and His empty university of suffering, whereby men would be taught to truly suffer for their brothers, sisters, and followers. Why is this “university” empty? Is it because the church today has graduated? No. The absence of broken vessels is the culprit. What does that mean? It means that the modern “Christian” is not interested in addressing his brokenness. The average believer shows no interest in humility, which is brought through suffering.
King David was a different story. Not that he sought out this suffering, but he didn’t run from it. He knew God meant to teach him and that God would equip him to face the trials of his life. Edwards describes King David as an example of true kingship, inferring that a true king not only faces suffering for his people, but that he does so with a right heart, a submissive heart. Edwards describes the interaction between a young man and the last living member of David’s Mighty Men. The warrior, when asked, went on to describe King David as the best example of kingship, saying that instead of demanding submission, he was submissive to God. This is how a true king acts, and thereby is how true leaders act. Instead of laying out rules and laws and punishment and demanding submission, a true king and a true leader submit their hearts and lives to God as an example of who and how to follow. King David was submissive in this way, which allowed him to be a blubbering cry baby in a cave and still lead the finest kingdom ever seen on this earth.
Due to his nature, coupled with King Saul’s driving people out from the kingdom, King David accrued followers unintentionally. He never sought, never recruited, and never requested followers, like King Absolom would during King David’s reign. He never spoke out against King Saul or accused him of anything, as King Absolom would. He never even told people he wanted to or would lead them. His submission to God taught others, a band of crooks, thieves, and castoffs, how to submit their own lives and hearts both to the one true king and to the one true God.
Even in David’s Kingdom, those of the order of Saul rose up. Rebellion, though dormant, was rampant in the hearts of men, particularly in Absolom. In his conversation with Abishai, King David states that not only had he known of Absolom’s coming rebellion for upwards of thirty years, but that he intended to do absolutely nothing to stop it. Seeing that Abishai was confused, David reminded him of the story of Korah’s rebellion and that Moses did absolutely nothing to halt it. The moral buried within the dual stories is that being submitted to God’s will is far more important and far more reliable than attempting to control the wills and lives of one’s followers or subjects.
David further hammers the point home in Chapter 23, declaring “…of this I am certain: In my youth I was no Absolom. And in my old age I shall not be a Saul…I intend to be David still. Even if it costs me a throne, a kingdom, and perhaps my head.” Abishai’s next retort sets up David’s ultimate declaration of faith. After Abishai suggests evacuation, David reminds him of what God did to deliver him from Saul as a boy. “[David, y]ou underestimate your adversary.” “[Absolom, y]ou underestimate my God.” While David’s faith will not let him stray from God’s will, he further declares the most significant attribute that defines true kingship when he says “I seek his will, not his power.” To know that God’s time for him to lead may have come to a close and to accept that as God’s will is no worldly deed. David was, in fact, a true king.
Gene Edwards not only conveyed this story with brilliant creativity, he accomplished his stated goal. I don’t see how anyone could read this without experiencing healing. I don’t see how anyone could read this without being challenged to drop the spears, to accept the suffering, and to yield to God’s will, no matter what that may mean in his or her life. A Tale of Three Kings should be read by every pastor, leader, and church attendee, as each has a unique group of followers they need to know how to lead in a Godly fashion, as David did.