WHY GOD CHOSE DAVID

By Akin Ojumu

We all know that to question the word of any man of God is a risky business. But to dare to dispute the opinion of a highly respected and supremely revered man of God is an invitation for a fierce and ferocious attack of nuclear proportions. Being the impudent knucklehead that I am, however, that’s exactly what I plan to do in this commentary.

While addressing the crowd at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) National Youth Convention held at the Redemption Camp in October 2012, the RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye, made the following statements:

“Let me tell you the truth. Do you know that the number one reason why God chose David to be king was because he was a musician…singing the right kind of songs.”

Many may find the above statement innocuous. That I’m even flagging it at all may even come across to some as being overtly picky. Yet, to those who care about upholding the sanctity of the Word of God, Pastor Adeboye’s claims are egregiously alarming. To anyone who holds on jealously and tenaciously to an unerring fidelity to God’s Truth, such a statement sends shivers down their spiritual spine.

The notion that God chose David because he was a musician who sang the right kind of songs is as erroneous as it gets. There is no single Bible text that supports such an opinion. Being a musician who sings the right songs is not a standard that God uses to choose anyone for anything. Talents or physical attributes don’t factor into the equation in God’s election. There’s nothing in man that qualifies him for God’s favor.

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30)

Ever before the world was created or man was formed from the dirt of the earth, the redemptive purpose and plan of God had already been designed and formulated. All the i’s have been dotted and all the t’s perfectly crossed. Everyone and anyone who would play a role in redemption had already been chosen by His divine will before they were even formed in their mothers’ wombs.

“Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad – in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls – she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” (Romans 9:10-13).

When God chooses a man for anything, it’s not because of his attribute and it has nothing to do with his ability. God’s choice is by God’s grace. His decision to select a man to fulfill a purpose is an act of His divine providence. And so was the choice of David.

“I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.” (Acts 13:22)

While a plausible argument can be made, and has been made, that God chose David because he’s got a good heart. Such an argument falls on its face when you consider David’s atrocities. The man was an adulterer, murderer, liar, and bully. As king, he had an extramarital affair with the wife of one of the men he sent to war. To cover up the sordid act, he got the poor man killed by having him sent to the fiercest battlezone.

It’s true that, despite his many flaws and failures, David was a man who loved the LORD. That said, contrary to Pastor Adeboye’s assertions, David being a musician who sang the right kind of songs had nothing to do with God crowning him king. God chose David simply because He decided to choose him.

This is another example of why Christians need to be like the Bereans. Trust but verify. Now, I wait for the arrows of unrighteous indignation to start flying.