David's Cruelty by John Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 26, 1871

David's Cruelty.

By John Matteson

INFIDELS often accuse David of cruelty on account of the statements in 1 Chron. 20: 3, and 2 Sam. 12: 31. I will compare these texts with the Danish parallel texts, and the cruelty all vanishes away. The rendering given in the Danish version is, according to good critics, more in harmony with the original.

English.

“And he brought out the people that were in [Rabbah,] and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon.” 1 Chron. 20: 3.

Danish.

“But the people that were in it he brought out, and he employed them to saw with saws, and to work in iron works, and with saws,” &c.

English.

“And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln.”

Danish.

“But the people that were therein he brought out, and employed them to work with saws, and in iron-works, and with iron axes, and let them go forth in the brick-kiln.”

David’s disposition was not that of cruelty to his enemies. Indeed, he has furnished us with a most remarkable instance of returning good for evil, when he saved the life of his bitterest enemy, Saul. 1 Sam. 24. And this he did not only once, but twice. 1 Sam. 26. And so strong was the influence of this Christian conduct, that it did even move the heart of a Saul. “Then said Saul, I have sinned; return my son, David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day; behold I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” Verse 21. The word of God is mighty, but most powerful when practically illustrated in the humble conduct of a consistent Christian. JOHN MATTESON.