The Legends of the Jews, that monumental collection of rabbinic lore compiled by Louis Ginzberg, gives us a glimpse into David's life, painting him as both divinely inspired and wonderfully human. After pouring his heart and soul into completing the Psalter, David, overcome with joy, exclaimed, "O Lord of the world, is there another creature in the universe who like me proclaims thy praise?"
Can you blame him? He'd crafted these beautiful, timeless poems of praise, lament, and everything in between. Surely, he thought, no one could match that.
But then, as the story goes, a frog hopped up to him. Yes, a frog. And this wasn't just any frog; this frog was apparently a master poet in its own right. "Be not so proud," the frog croaked, "I have composed more psalms than thou, and, besides, every psalm my mouth has uttered I have accompanied with three thousand parables."
Imagine that! Talk about a humbling experience. It’s a reminder that there’s always someone (or something!) out there with their own unique talents and contributions.
This little anecdote speaks volumes about David's character. While he was certainly capable of feeling pride in his accomplishments, as we all are, he was, for the most part, a model of humility.
We see further evidence of this in the coins minted during his reign. According to the text, these coins bore a simple shepherd's crook and pouch on one side, and the Tower of David on the other. It was a deliberate choice, a constant reminder of his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy. Even as a king, he never forgot where he came from.
His bearing, too, remained humble, "as though he were still the shepherd and not the king." This wasn't just some act. It was a reflection of his inner character, his understanding that true greatness lies not in power or status, but in remaining grounded and connected to one's roots.
So, what can we take away from this? Perhaps it's a reminder to celebrate our achievements, to take pride in our work, but also to remain humble, to recognize the talents and contributions of others, and to never forget where we came from. After all, even a king can learn a thing or two from a frog.