The Imitation of Christ · Character

David

Biblical king and psalmist, quoted frequently in prayers.

minor

First appearance: book i admonitions profitable for the spiritual life

David's tie to God the Father is one of the pressures that moves The Imitation of Christ—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Implicitly referenced through the quotation from Job about life as a trial.

In the storyOf Resisting TemptationOpen this moment free

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With God the Father (psychological): David is portrayed as a repentant sinner and psalmist whose relationship with God exemplifies humility and devotion. With Moses (social): David and Moses are both Old Testament…

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Character Web

3 connections

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Relationship types

Psychological
Social
Other

Character groups

Biblical and Scholarly Figures
Divine and Devout Trio

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story’s dramatic climax because the speaker reaches an emotional and psychological peak of total s…

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Relationships

God the Father
psychological · positive
David is portrayed as a repentant sinner and psalmist whose relationship with God… How this plays out →
Moses
social · positive

Relationship notes

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See David in book i admonitions profitable for the spiritual life

In the story

David appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Of Resisting Temptation
Implicitly referenced through the quotation from Job about life as a trial.
Of Compunction of Heart
Quoted as the prophet who prayed for bread of tears and plenteousness of tears to drink.
On the Contemplation of Human Misery
Quoted as the prophet who prayed, 'Deliver me from my necessities, O Lord.'
Of the Zealous Amendment of Our Whole Life
Quoted as the Prophet: 'Hope in the Lord and be doing good; dwell in the land and thou shalt be fed with its riches.'
Of the lack of all comfort
Quoted from the Psalms, describing his experience of God's favor and subsequent trial.
XII: Of the Royal Way of the Holy Cross
Mentioned indirectly through the scriptural allusion to the cross as a sign in heaven at judgment.
Of the Proving of the True Lover
Quoted indirectly: 'The Lord is my light and my salvation' from Psalm 27.
Of Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of This Life
Quoted indirectly: 'I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee' (Psalm 32:5) and 'draw me out of the mire that I sink not' (Psalm 69:14), reflecting the disciple's confession.
That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life
Referenced indirectly through the quotation 'Woe is me, for my sojourning is prolonged' (Psalm 120:5-6).
LVIII: Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments Which Are Not to Be Inquired Into
Quoted as the Prophet who declared 'Just art Thou, O Lord, and true is Thy judgment' and 'The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.'
With how great reverence Christ must be received
Described as dancing before the Ark of God and composing psalms with great devotion.
Endnotes
Cited as author of many Psalms (e.g., Psalm 4:4, Psalm 25:17, Psalm 37:3).

Chapter companion notes

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