If Abraham was the most important person in Jewish history, David wasn’t far behind. Next to Abraham and Moses, David was probably the most revered. Israel’s foremost king, was its most successful soldier, a prominent musician, poet, and prophet. 

Beyond that, the Messiah was to come through David’s line. The Christ was to be a son of David. The very first verse of the NT highlights David’s importance in Jewish thinking: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matt.1:1). David, like Abraham, was a central figure in Israel’s covenant history, God having made an everlasting covenant with the shepherd king. 

In Romans 4 Paul calls on the two most important witnesses available to prove his point that righteousness is by faith without works. We should note that when Paul summoned a second witness he was clearly following Deut.19:15, which explicitly states that “a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”. As a former Pharisee and a student of the law, Paul was well acquainted with that principle. Thus he invokes David in v6, who he claims agrees with Abraham. 

The choice of David is interesting for another reason. While Abraham, though he had his faults, committed some unfaiths and told a few lies, might possibly be thought of as a man who had enough goodness to merit salvation. There is no question of salvation by works with David. It is difficult to recall his name without thinking of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba, the murder committed to hide his guilt from her husband, and the disastrous effects both of these sins had on David’s family. In short, if David is saved, it will have to be by grace. Thus he presents an excellent case in Paul’s argument of justification by faith. 

That is good news. The turf is level in front of the cross. We all stand equal, no matter how sinful our life, no matter how tainted our past. God’s mercy is broad. God is willing to save all who come to Him in faith. And He is not only willing, He is also able.