Topical Bible: Disease of David

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The "Disease of David" refers to the unspecified illness or ailments that King David, the second king of Israel, experienced during his lifetime. While the Bible does not provide explicit details about the nature of David's disease, several passages allude to his physical and emotional suffering, which have been the subject of theological and scholarly discussion.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 38: This psalm is often cited in discussions about David's afflictions. In Psalm 38:3-8 , David laments, "There is no soundness in my body because of Your anger; there is no rest in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness. I am bent and brought low; all day long I go about mourning. For my loins are full of burning pain, and no soundness remains in my body. I am numb and badly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart." This passage suggests a physical ailment compounded by a sense of spiritual and emotional distress.

2. Psalm 41: Another psalm attributed to David, Psalm 41:3-4 , states, "The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness. I said, 'O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.'" Here, David acknowledges his sin and seeks divine healing, indicating a connection between his spiritual state and physical health.

3. 2 Samuel 12:15-23: Although not directly about David's own illness, this passage recounts the illness and subsequent death of the child born to David and Bathsheba. David's intense mourning and fasting during the child's illness reflect his deep emotional turmoil and may provide context for understanding his own experiences with suffering and repentance.

Theological Interpretations:

From a theological perspective, David's disease is often viewed as a manifestation of the consequences of sin. The Bible frequently links physical suffering with spiritual disobedience, and David's life, marked by both profound faith and significant moral failings, exemplifies this connection. His psalms of lament and repentance reveal a man deeply aware of his need for God's mercy and healing.

David's afflictions also serve as a reminder of the human condition and the reality of suffering in a fallen world. Despite his status as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), David was not immune to the trials of life, including illness. His reliance on God for healing and restoration underscores the biblical theme of divine sovereignty and grace.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, illness was often perceived as a divine judgment or a test of faith. David's response to his disease, characterized by prayer, repentance, and trust in God's deliverance, aligns with the cultural and religious practices of his time. His psalms provide insight into the spiritual and emotional dimensions of dealing with illness, offering a model of faith and perseverance for believers.

Conclusion:

While the specifics of David's disease remain unknown, the biblical narrative emphasizes the interplay between physical health, spiritual well-being, and divine intervention. David's experiences with illness highlight the importance of seeking God's presence and healing in times of distress, reinforcing the enduring message of hope and redemption found throughout Scripture.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 21:4
He asked life of you, and you gave it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 116:8
For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

That when David had Numbered the People, they were Punished; and ...
... Now there perished of this disease, which began with the morning, and lasted till ...
But David had put on sackcloth, and lay upon the ground, entreating God, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 that when david.htm

David's Cry for Pardon
... of thy sin.' Immediately, as would appear from the narrative, that very same day,
the child of Bathsheba and David was smitten with fatal disease, and died in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/davids cry for pardon.htm

A Threefold Disease and a Twofold Cure.
... A THREEFOLD DISEASE AND A TWOFOLD CURE. ... 'In those days, and at that time, will
I cause the branch of righteousness to grow up unto David.... ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a threefold disease and a.htm

July 19. "Nevertheless, David Took the Castle of Zion" (I. Chron. ...
... xi. 5). "Nevertheless, David took the castle of ... Come to the land where all the foes
are vanquished, And sorrow, sin, disease and death subdued; O weary soul! ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /july 19 nevertheless david took.htm

The Call of David.
... same Divine power, which made water wine, multiplied the bread, gave water power
to heal an incurable disease, and made oil the means of gifting David with the ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iv the call of.htm

David's Weakness
... the true kingly character, the masculine and the feminine, are brought out in David. ...
than God, and to unsex themselves, had done little but disease their mind ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon i davids weakness.htm

Christian David, 1690-1722.
... He fell ill of a dangerous disease; he could not stir hand or foot for twenty ... But
now Christian David must show to others the treasure he had found for himself ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ii christian david 1690-1722.htm

Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
... 3. That when thy sickness and disease is at the extremest, yet it is less ... now most
blessed and glorious saints with Christ in heaven, as Job, David, Lazarus, &c ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations for one that is.htm

Sermon.
... about God and holiness were those which the Psalms of David disclose, cannot ... of upright
walking and works of righteousness had been stricken by disease and had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wright/is the young man absalom safe/sermon.htm

The Psalmist --Setting the Lord
... what distress? what perplexity? what sorrow? what sin? what dominion and
what disease of sin? ... Are you like David in the 63rd Psalm? ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/viii the psalmistsetting the lord.htm