Nephi and David

Yesterday I wrote about the connection between Nephi and David in that they both slew their formidable enemy as young men, kept the swords, and then those swords were preserved. I think there are several other parallels between Nephi and David. Both of them were told at a young age that they would be rulers over their people, and they were opposed by another who wanted that privilege. Nephi learned early from the Lord that though he was the youngest son of his father, he was to be the leader of their people: “And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren” (1 Nephi 2:21-22). David was also the youngest son of his father, and when Samuel came to choose a king, he first saw the older sons and declared to Jesse, “The Lord hath not chosen these.” He then learned that there was one more son, David, and when he came in, “The Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:10-13). Both Nephi and David were very young when they were promised to lead their people, and it would be some time before they actually became king. Nephi described how he was blessed of the Lord at that time: “Wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father;… And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart. And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper” (1 Nephi 2:19-20). David was similarly blessed, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him after his anointing.     

Nephi’s experience with his older brothers was also similar to David’s experience with Saul. Laman and Lemuel were jealous of Nephi and repeatedly complained that they as the older brothers should be the rulers of their people. Nephi summarized Laman and Lemuel’s words this way at the time he split from them: “Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people” (2 Nephi 5:3). They repeatedly sought to take his life, and finally he escaped with the group who would follow him in order to preserve their lives. In a similar manner, Saul was angry with David and jealous that he seemed to be destinated to become the king. As David started to gain power, Saul become jealous and despite the incredible thing that David had done in saving Israel from Goliath, Saul still sought to take away the life of David. Soon after Saul gave his daughter to David for wife, we read, “And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David” (1 Samuel 19:1). Similarly, Nephi also did incredible things to preserve the life of his own family, including his brothers, and yet they still sought his life. Lehi commented to Laman and Lemuel, “Rebel no more against your brother, whose views have been glorious, and who hath kept the commandments from the time that we left Jerusalem; and who hath been an instrument in the hands of God, in bringing us forth into the land of promise; for were it not for him, we must have perished with hunger in the wilderness; nevertheless, ye sought to take away his life; yea, and he hath suffered much sorrow because of you. And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, lest he shall suffer again; for behold, ye have accused him that he sought power and authority over you; but I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but he hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare” (2 Nephi 1:24-25). David had also sought the glory of God in defending Israel against Goliath, thus saving the life of King Saul from the Philistines and preserving their people. When David ran away from Saul, like Nephi he gathered together those who were with him: “David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men” (1 Samuel 22:1-2). The Lord blessed and protected both David and Nephi as they sought to do the will of the Lord and protect their people. Ultimately both would establish cities that would bear their names. Both Nephi and David would face war with their enemies, but they trusted in God and overcame. Unfortunately David was not always faithful, but Nephi was to the end and could summarize his people this way: “And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27).