Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God that melts his heart and opens his forgiving embrace to us? Perhaps David can help us understand this most gracious mystery.