The last few months of post have traced David as the template of the godly warfighter. His life models the intersection of the warrior vocation and the life of faith. The narrative window into David’s life is a treasure trove for the contemporary combatant.
David provides an example of how the treacherous terrain of soldiering is navigated before the face of God. In him, the biblical marks of warrior health are discernible: gospel dependence, a life of repentance, embrace of lament, a leaning heavily on community, a right posture toward enemies, a theological grasp of war, a solid relationship with God, and a steady diet of God’s Word.
The Davidic narratives and psalms teach the warfighter that guidance and grounding flow from the Word of God, freedom and expression come through prayer and song, solidarity and support is provided by community, and redemption and hope are found in the Divine Warrior who comes in the flesh. The literature on David touches moral complexities in the profession of arms, including proper posture toward enemies, the function of the image of God in warfighting, the role of the conscience, moral injury, honoring the fallen, the temptations unique to warriors, relational strain on families, the power of shame and guilt, and the role of forgiveness.
David’s story is rugged; its authenticity is intrinsically life-giving for the contemporary combatant. His journey confirms that living and operating in the kill chain leaves no one untouched. 1-2 Samuel is an exposé of the impact of living in death’s shadow. Yet, the raw narrative is equally infused with faith and health. The realism of his story speaks hope to today’s warrior and equips him to navigate with skill and strength. The S.T.R.O.N.G. model below is an attempt to operationalize the principles of warrior health discerned in David’s journey.
