In 19th and early 20th centuries, the Chinese immigrants to the US, often saying, "This generation suffers for next generation happiness." Due to their parents’ busy work all year round, eventually, the second generation suffers once more for poor discipline and is limited into prosperity at adult age. The best story is, happiness comes upon the third generation, they are used to new environment and more integrated into the local culture, moreover, knows how to help themselves without parents aside.
As a Chinese adage "Thousand soldiers’ blood makes one great general", a successful man usually needs to pay for his success. A father spending long time on expedition will sacrifice his family, and whose children could easily be led astray.
King David starts building a brand new kingdom from Hebron, and his competitor remains strong and still stares at him to find any chance to defeat him. He takes a long time to overcome this threat, and moves the Jerusalem after the long civil war. In the same time, a better care and education for David's children is secured for stable situation. Unavoidably, due to lack of good discipline, some Hebron-born sons begins to make troubles: sexually assault half-sister, killing half-brother, mutiny father, set fire to burn corn land for earning negotiation, rude self-reliance as king. Oppositely, the Jerusalem-born sons behave much better, Solomon is one of the Jerusalem-born. David is an almost perfect sample with fully rely on God; however, even he can not avoid the trouble from the earlier born sons during hard time in Hebron.
“No pain, no gain” seems not enough for this family tragedy. King David still fully relies on God for his life without regret; it is one of the greatest things all his life. Price for success is unavoidable, what is the attitude toward this price is key, one for opening faith, another for opening losing faith. King David is a sample for faith opening; King Saul is one for losing faith. Although, David is not perfect; God adores him and raises his offspring as God’s only son, it is a great honor. In short, King David is good enough for God.
Miles Hsien-Chi Chiao