Overcoming Old Testament Phobia: Do we get David Wrong?

In this Greg and Nathan invite teacher Dave Shive to explore one of the Bible’s most complex and compelling figures: King David. From shepherd boy to king, David's life is a tapestry of triumph, tragedy, faith, and failure.

The conversation traces David’s early anointing by the prophet Samuel and examines the tumultuous, decades-long wait before David actually ascended the throne. What does such a prolonged period of waiting do to a man’s soul? Dave offers fascinating insight into David’s relationship with Samuel, his uneasy entanglement with Saul, and his eventual rise to leadership over both Judah and Israel.

Listeners will gain fresh perspective on pivotal moments in David’s story—from his apparent shift toward darker choices, to his reactions in the wake of Saul’s death, to the far-reaching consequences of the Bathsheba incident. Dave also explores David’s heartbreaking saga with Absalom and reflects on the final days of David’s life, filled with both regret and resolve.

Whether you’ve read David’s story many times or are encountering it anew, this episode will challenge your assumptions and deepen your appreciation for the grace of God in the life of a deeply human king.