Thomas Jefferson Meets King David

“He was not all he could be. But no politician – no human being – ever is.” – Jon Meacham, writing about Thomas Jefferson

I just finished reading Jon Meacham’s brilliant biography of Thomas Jefferson, best known as the author of the Declaration of Independence and the 3rd President of the United States. In Meacham’s 514-page tome – that also includes an additional 222 pages of footnotes, biographical citations, and illustration credits – Jefferson’s “wisdom and warts” are on full display for all to see.

Jefferson could be charming and yet conniving, scholarly and yet scheming. Among his greatest achievements was negotiating the Louisiana Purchase, which more than doubled the size of the United States, and keeping America out of wars with both England and France. However, his embargo on all foreign goods at the end of his second term crippled New England’s economy and his personal vendetta against Aaron Burr, his former vice-president, may have gone too far.

Perhaps his greatest contradiction was writing the immortal words “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” at a time when he was a slaveowner himself. To his credit, Jefferson actually opposed the practice and sought to have it abolished while a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. But to his shame, he continued to own slaves throughout his lifetime and even conceived multiple children with one of them, Sarah “Sally” Hemings. In his will, Jefferson freed Sally and the children he had sired by her, but the rest of his slaves were sold off with his home and property to pay off his debts.

Personally, I think it is a bit unfair to judge someone who lived 250 years ago by today’s standards. Jefferson was a man of his time and place in history, shaped by the cultural and societal forces around him. In other words, he did the best he could with the hand he was dealt. By that measure, most historians rank him in the upper echelon of U.S. presidents, and he remains a true American icon to this day.

Thomas Jefferson reminds me of my favorite Bible character, King David, who was also a man of great contradictions. On one hand, he was a pure-hearted shepherd who had the courage and faith to challenge and defeat Goliath. He was also Israel’s greatest king who never lost a battle because he always sought God’s counsel before he went to war.

However, as we all know, David was also a liar, an adulterer, a murderer, and a poor father. He also made some very poor and prideful decisions, one of which cost the lives of 70,000 Israelites (see 2 Samuel 24 and I Chronicles 21).
So, what is the final verdict on David? He is referred to in both the Old Testament (I Samuel 13:14) and the New Testament (Acts 13:22) as “a man after God’s own heart.” And throughout I and II Kings as well as I and II Chronicles, various kings are praised or condemned based on whether they followed God with their whole hearts “as did their father David”. Among the best were Josiah, Hezekiah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat.

I don’t know about you, but I take great comfort in the fact that my biblical hero David was a deeply flawed man and yet, one who loved God unconditionally and served Him until his dying day. That means that there is hope for all of us, warts and all, especially since our sins and shortcomings are covered by the blood of the Lamb.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.’” I Samuel 16:7 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President