# David — The Imitation of Christ character guide

> David in The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-book-i-admonitions-profitable-for-the-spiritual-life

## Who they are

Biblical king and psalmist, quoted frequently in prayers.

## Relationships

### [God the Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/god_the_father)

_psychological_

David is portrayed as a repentant sinner and psalmist whose relationship with God exemplifies humility and devotion.

### [Moses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/moses)

_social_

David and Moses are both Old Testament figures referenced as examples of faithful leadership and repentance.

## In the story

### [Of Resisting Temptation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xiii)

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

### [Of Compunction of Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xxi)

Quoted as the prophet who prayed for bread of tears and plenteousness of tears to drink.

### [On the Contemplation of Human Misery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xxii)

Quoted as the prophet who prayed, 'Deliver me from my necessities, O Lord.'

### [Of the Zealous Amendment of Our Whole Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xxv)

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/ix)

Quoted from the Psalms, describing his experience of God's favor and subsequent trial.

### [XII: Of the Royal Way of the Holy Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned indirectly through the scriptural allusion to the cross as a sign in heaven at judgment.

### [Of the Proving of the True Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/vi)

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xx)

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xlvii)

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/lviii)

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/i)

Described as dancing before the Ark of God and composing psalms with great devotion.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/endnotes)

Cited as author of many Psalms (e.g., Psalm 4:4, Psalm 25:17, Psalm 37:3).

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/david
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters