Collin portrays David as an individual with mixed characters. Collins admits that David was chosen by God but stated David wasn't “flawless or innocent.” [151]. He stated that “David was at various times an outlaw, a deserter, and a Philistine mercenary, and he was at best conspicuous by his absence when Saul was killed.” [151]
One instance where Collins portrays David in a positive light is when David had an opportunity to kill Saul but he didn’t. David states, in regard to Saul, “I will not raise my hand against the Lords anointed.” [152]. Another instance Collins cites is where David showed compassion to Amnon and Absalom, his sons, “regardless for what they did.” [164]
In supporting why he felt David was a mercenary, Collins stated that David demanded “protection payment from a sheep farmer in Carmel.” [152]. Collins also stated that David was engaged in extortion after Nathan died and David took Nathan’s wife, Abigail, as his wife. [152]. Collins further stated that David had the murderers of Saul’s son, Ishbaal, executed. [155]
Furthermore, Collins asserted that David had his general, Joab, “set Uriah up to be killed in battle and, after appropriate interval, took Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, and married her. [163]. Collins stated that other biblical scholars also portrayed David as a man “who was very fallible, end even sinful.” [165]