The Bible refers to David as “a man after God’s own heart” in 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22. This is his legacy. He’s remembered as the best king Israel ever had. The nation of Israel—named after Jacob—bears the Star of David on its flag.

Today, we see David realizing that he’s in a palace while the ark of the covenant remains in a tent. David feels this is wrong and wants to change it. But God speaks to the Prophet Nathan and essentially says, “That’s nice of David, but I’m good. His son will build me a home. Yet I’ll make a kingdom from his house for all time.”

By the way, my wife Kate pointed out that 2 Samuel 7:3 would make a great life verse:
“Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”
Want to get pizza tonight? Go, do all that you have in mind. Shall we build a third story at the church? Go, do all that you have in mind. Great verse.

I recently saw a video where someone was asked, “What’s better: the journey or the destination?” And the person answered, “The company.” That feels like what God is saying here. “I have been in a tent with my people since Egypt… Thank you for your concern for me, David. But I’ll make sure your house endures forever.”

David’s response is humility:
“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me thus far?”

David’s faith and humility are remembered far more than his mistakes. And when his mistakes were pointed out, he changed his behavior. He wrote of his faith in ways that inspired others. He endured hardship.

David’s story mirrors the American Dream: anyone from anywhere can make it. Even a shepherd boy can face down a giant and become a great leader.

The Legacy of Our Denomination

In these troubling times, I’ve been reflecting on the legacy of our ancestors. The Congregationalists fled England for spiritual freedom. They knew that God’s plan did not include kings—only the priesthood of all believers. No intermediaries. No divine-right monarchs. Instead, the power of individuals coming together in covenant community—that’s the good stuff.

Because they had no king but Christ, they took an early stand against slavery. They believed so strongly in education that they founded public schools, Harvard, Howard, and many historically Black colleges and universities. They ordained the first woman and the first openly gay man.

Of course, it wasn’t all roses. There were the Salem Witch Trials. That’s what happens when fear and dehumanization take hold of a community—justice becomes a sham. But out of that darkness, one judge stood in shame when he realized he was wrong, and he repented. Like David.

They fought for Prohibition, mistakenly thinking that removing alcohol would erase domestic violence, divorce, and child abuse. It didn’t. But the fight for healthier communities, free from addiction and abuse, is still worth having.

I see how our ancestors faced kings and won. They spoke truth to power. They sought to love kindness, do justice, and walk humbly with God. And they did it not for their own glory, but for God and neighbor.

What We’ve Learned

Throughout this series, we’ve explored the intersection of faith and leadership. Politics is how we live together. Partisanship is about parties and power, but that is not my concern. A woman once asked me on her deathbed why I didn’t name names from the pulpit, why I didn’t call out national leaders more directly. I reminded her of Ephesians 6:12:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

So, what have we learned?

1. David’s Leadership vs. Saul’s Leadership
   • David wasn’t perfect, but he listened, repented, and changed. He didn’t believe he was above God’s correction. Compare that to leaders like Saul, who refused to admit mistakes, doubled down on lies, and demanded loyalty instead of offering it.
   • Authoritarianism thrives on an unquestionable leader, an unchangeable nation, and an enemy to blame. David’s legacy—rooted in humility and listening—stands in direct opposition to that.
2. Congregationalist History as a Model of Resistance
   • We have no king but Christ. No autocrat, no dictator, no self-proclaimed messiah. The UCC’s history is one of faith-driven resistance: against slavery, against religious tyranny, against injustice. The people—not a single leader—carry the faith forward.
   • The Salem Witch Trials warn us: when fear and misinformation rule, justice disappears. That should resonate in an age of conspiracy theories, Christian nationalism, and attacks on democracy.
3. Nathan’s Role as a Truth-Teller
   • David needed Nathan to call him out. Prophets speak truth to power—not just to comfort the oppressed but to challenge the comfortable. Who are the Nathans today? Who is willing to confront leaders who abuse their position?
   • The call is clear: We need more Nathans and fewer yes-men. The kingdom God builds isn’t one of personal wealth, dynastic rule, or political strongmen—it’s one where justice and humility reign.
4. Moving from “I Alone Can Fix It” to “We Are in This Together”
   • Authoritarians promise a strongman who will “restore greatness.” But the gospel and the Congregationalist tradition remind us: we are in this together.God’s promise to David wasn’t about making him all-powerful—it was about sustaining a covenant with the people. That’s the opposite of the selfish, power-hungry leadership we see today.

Conclusion

So where does that leave us? It leaves us in the same place David found himself: aware of our flaws, humbled by grace, and responsible for the community around us. It leaves us in a world where power still corrupts, where kings still rise and fall, where injustice still exists—but also in a world where people like Nathan still speak truth, where leaders like David still listen and change, and where the faithful still gather to do the work of justice, mercy, and love.

In anxious times, do what prophets have always done: speak truth, seek justice, and build the kingdom—not for ourselves, but for God. And when the weight of the world feels like too much, remember that God does not dwell in palaces. God dwells in the hearts of the people. God dwells in the community, for when two or three are gathered, God dwells in the company we keep.

I want to keep company with you church. In our mission, our work on committees and council, our bible studies, our Talent Bank. But I can’t do all this alone or for you. I seek to do it with you.

May we be a people who—like David—remember who we are, recognize how far we’ve come, and listen when God calls us to something greater. Amen.