I asked Grok to illustrate from David’s life how he lived out the lessons of Rudyard Kipling’s “If” poem:
Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” outlines a series of virtues and challenges that define maturity and character. The biblical figure of David, whose life is chronicled primarily in 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and the Psalms, embodies many of these principles through his journey from shepherd to king. Below, I’ll break down key sections of the poem and illustrate how David’s actions and experiences reflect them, drawing on specific examples from his life.
Keeping Composure Amid Chaos
Kipling writes: “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you…”
David exemplifies this during his confrontation with Goliath (1 Samuel 17). The Israelite army, including King Saul and David’s own brothers, is paralyzed by fear and despair as the Philistine giant taunts them daily. Blame and doubt swirl—Saul questions David’s youth and inexperience, and his brothers accuse him of arrogance. Yet David remains level-headed, focusing on his faith in God rather than the panic around him. He calmly assesses the situation, volunteers to fight, and defeats Goliath with a sling and stone, turning the tide without succumbing to the collective hysteria.
Self-Trust and Patience in Doubt
“If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting too; / If you can wait and not be tired by waiting…”
David’s anointing as future king by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16) sets him on a path filled with doubt from others. Saul, the current king, grows jealous and attempts to kill him multiple times. Even David’s own allies, like the priests at Nob, suffer because of association with him. Despite this, David trusts in God’s promise, making allowances for others’ fears—such as when he spares Saul’s life in the cave at En Gedi (1 Samuel 24), choosing mercy over vengeance. His patience is evident in the years he spends as a fugitive in the wilderness, waiting for God’s timing rather than seizing the throne prematurely. He refuses to harm Saul, declaring, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed,” even when opportunities arise, demonstrating endurance without bitterness.
Integrity in the Face of Deception and Hate
“Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, / Or being hated, don’t give way to hating…”
Saul’s court becomes a hotbed of lies and hatred toward David—Saul spreads rumors, accuses him of treason, and hunts him relentlessly (1 Samuel 18-26). David, however, refuses to retaliate with deceit or malice. When he has the chance to kill Saul in the cave and later in the camp (1 Samuel 26), he instead cuts a piece of Saul’s robe or takes his spear as proof of restraint, then calls out from a distance to proclaim his innocence and loyalty. David’s Psalms, like Psalm 52 (written after Doeg’s betrayal), express trust in God amid slander without descending into hate, showing a commitment to truth and forgiveness.
Humility and Balanced Ambition
“And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise: / If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; / If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim…”
David’s humility shines as he rises from a shepherd boy to a national hero, yet he doesn’t let success inflate his ego. After defeating Goliath, he serves Saul faithfully as a musician and commander, not boasting or seeking immediate power. His dreams of kingship (rooted in divine promise) don’t consume him; instead, he focuses on practical actions, like leading his band of outcasts in the wilderness. In Psalm 131, David reflects this balance: “I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me,” indicating thoughtful ambition without overreaching intellectual pride.
Treating Triumph and Disaster Equally
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same…”
David’s life oscillates between highs and lows. His triumph over Goliath brings fame, but it’s followed by Saul’s pursuit—a disaster that forces him into exile. Later, as king, he conquers Jerusalem and expands Israel (2 Samuel 5-8), yet faces personal disasters like the death of his child from his affair with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12) and Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18). Through it all, David treats these as transient: He dances joyfully before the Ark in triumph (2 Samuel 6) but also repents deeply in disaster, as in Psalm 51 after Nathan’s rebuke, viewing both as under God’s sovereignty without letting either define him permanently.
Resilience and Rebuilding
“If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken / Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, / Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, / And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools…”
David experiences betrayal when his words and actions are twisted—such as when Saul misinterprets his loyalty as rebellion, or when Absalom manipulates the people against him. After Absalom’s coup, David flees Jerusalem, watching his kingdom fracture (2 Samuel 15). Yet he rebuilds: Upon returning, he reorganizes his administration with “worn-out tools”—loyal but weary followers like Joab—and restores order (2 Samuel 19-20). His handling of Shimei’s curses during the flight (2 Samuel 16) shows resilience; he bears the twisted accusations without retaliation, later pardoning him.
Risk-Taking and Perseverance
“If you can make one heap of all your winnings / And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, / And lose, and start again at your beginnings / And never breathe a word about your loss; / If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew / To serve your turn long after they are gone…”
In battles like the one against the Philistines at Keilah (1 Samuel 23), David risks everything—his small force against superior odds—inquiring of God before committing. He loses much during Saul’s pursuit, starting over multiple times in caves and foreign lands like Philistia. After losing Ziklag to raiders (1 Samuel 30), where his wives and possessions are taken, David rallies his exhausted men, pursues the enemy, and recovers all without complaint. Facing Absalom’s death, despite personal grief, he forces himself to lead again, mustering resolve when his “heart and nerve” falter (2 Samuel 18-19).
Social Grace and Balance
“Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, / If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, / If all men count with you, but none too much…”
As king, David interacts with royalty like the king of Moab (1 Samuel 22) and Achish of Gath, yet retains his common roots—he began as a shepherd and composes Psalms accessible to all. He shows kindness to Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson (2 Samuel 9), treating commoners and foes with equity. Friends like Jonathan aid him, but he doesn’t depend on them overly; foes like Saul can’t provoke lasting harm, as seen in his merciful spares. David values people without letting any dominate him.
Filling Every Moment
“If you can fill the unforgiving minute / With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run…”
David’s life is a relentless pursuit of purpose: From tending sheep to composing over 70 Psalms, leading armies, and establishing worship in Israel. Even in old age, he organizes the temple plans for Solomon (1 Chronicles 22-29), maximizing his time despite frailties. His dance before the Ark and strategic decisions in battle reflect a life of purposeful action, echoing Kipling’s call to make every moment count.
David’s story isn’t flawless—he fails notably in the Bathsheba incident (2 Samuel 11), showing human vulnerability—but his overall trajectory aligns with “If” through repentance and growth. These examples highlight how he navigated adversity with the virtues Kipling extols, ultimately becoming “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).
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I asked Grok to do the same thing with Jonathan’s life:
Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If—” presents a vision of mature, steadfast character through trials, self-control, loyalty, and resilience. While David’s life shows these virtues in a leadership and kingship context, his close friend Jonathan (son of King Saul) embodies them in a supporting role—often at great personal cost. Jonathan’s story, primarily in 1 Samuel 18–20 and 23, highlights selfless friendship, courage, and submission to God’s will.
Here are key sections of the poem illustrated through Jonathan’s actions and character.
Keeping Composure and Trusting Yourself Amid Doubt and Blame
“If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, / If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting too…”
Jonathan demonstrated remarkable composure when caught between his father’s rage and his loyalty to David. In 1 Samuel 20, Saul’s jealousy boils over, and he hurls a spear at Jonathan himself for defending David (v. 33). The court and family are in turmoil, yet Jonathan stays calm, warns David through the arrow signal plan, and speaks truth to power without panic or retaliation. He trusts his own convictions—rooted in recognizing God’s anointing of David—while allowing for his father’s doubts and instability, attempting reconciliation multiple times (1 Samuel 19:4–7).
Patience, Waiting Without Weariness, and Humility in Ambition
“If you can wait and not be tired by waiting… / If you can dream—and not make dreams your master…”
As Saul’s eldest son and heir apparent, Jonathan had every “right” to the throne by human standards. Yet he humbly accepted God’s choice of David (1 Samuel 23:17), telling his friend, “You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you.” He waited patiently for years, never scheming or grasping for power, even as David rose in popularity. His dream of kingship was subordinated to God’s will—he didn’t let it master him.
Integrity, Loyalty Without Hatred, and Not Dealing in Lies
“Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, / Or being hated, don’t give way to hating…”
Jonathan faced hatred from his own father, who accused him of disloyalty and shame (1 Samuel 20:30). Saul lied and manipulated to kill David, yet Jonathan refused to participate in deceit or hate. He spoke honestly to Saul (“Why would you do wrong to an innocent man?” – 1 Samuel 19:5), warned David truthfully, and maintained loyalty to both without compromising truth.
Treating Triumph and Disaster as Impostors
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same…”
Jonathan knew triumph as a brave warrior (e.g., his daring victory over the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14 with just his armor-bearer, trusting God against overwhelming odds). Yet he also faced disaster: losing his rightful inheritance, risking his life for David, and ultimately dying in battle alongside his father at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31). Through it all, he treated both as transient—focusing on faithfulness rather than personal gain or loss. His courage in battle showed he could risk everything without being mastered by success or crushed by failure.
Risk-Taking, Resilience, and Filling the Unforgiving Minute
“If you can make one heap of all your winnings / And risk it on one turn… / And lose, and start again… / If you can fill the unforgiving minute / With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run…”
Jonathan repeatedly risked his position, reputation, and life for David—most dramatically in the arrow plan (1 Samuel 20), where discovery could have cost him everything. He “risked it all” on loyalty and God’s plan. Even when his efforts to reconcile Saul and David failed, he persisted in supporting his friend, strengthening him in God during David’s wilderness exile (1 Samuel 23:16–18). His life was one of purposeful action, never wasting time on bitterness or self-pity.
Walking with Kings Without Losing the Common Touch—and Ultimate Loyalty
“Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch… / If all men count with you, but none too much…”
As a prince who “walked with kings” (his father Saul), Jonathan never lost humility or genuine care. He treated David—a shepherd-turned-hero—as an equal soul-friend, making a covenant that extended to their descendants (1 Samuel 20:42; fulfilled when David later cared for Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth – 2 Samuel 9). No one “hurt” him by swaying him from principle—neither Saul’s fury nor David’s rising star.
Jonathan wasn’t flawless—he died in battle with his flawed father—but his life powerfully reflects Kipling’s ideals through sacrificial loyalty, unyielding courage, and humble submission to a higher purpose. In many ways, he models the poem’s “man” even more quietly and selflessly than David, proving that true maturity often shines brightest in faithful friendship rather than in the spotlight of power. His legacy endures as a timeless example of what it means to live out “If—” with integrity and grace.
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