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Paul is one of the Staff Editors at Matthias Media. He is married to Cathy and has three fantastic kids. He loves student ministry, reading, writing music and playing the saxophone, and is looking forward to meeting Jesus face to face.
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Two of David’s sons who caused him the most grief were his most handsome boys.
Absalom: 2 Sam. 14:25: In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.
Adonijah: 1 Kings 1:5-6: Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. (His father had never interfered with him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)
Is there a pattern of good-looking Fabio-style vain and godless drop-kicks?
Thanks for the post, Gordon.
I agree that the physical description of David is unexpected in the context. However, I wonder whether the preoccupation with beauty was as strong in the Israelite mindset as our world’s. It’s telling to note that when an almost identical description of David is given in the following chapter: it is the cause for Goliath’s disdain of David (1 Sam 17:42-43). Thus, I take it that while David was a good-looking kid (perhaps even ‘cute’), he didn’t seem to be king material—certainly not a military leader who would bring the nation back from the brink of collapse that it is facing at the end of chapter 15.
Just a thought about how verse 12 might fit. And this does remind us (as you helpfully concluded) that despite all human appearances, Jesus was the one chosen as God’s great king—and that is the only true way of seeing him.
dc
Andrew and Dan, you both seem to agree that KD is a pretty boy, which is what 1 Samuel 16 highlights, so also 1 Samuel 17.
There is a deep tradition of pretty boys in the Bible, starting with the serpent in the garden.
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