Robin Hood is a mythical character with roots in medieval England during the days of the lords and the common people. Most people were serfs, owned and assigned to the land by wealthy landowners. The serfs were oppressed by the system. There was no upward mobility in the system.

Robin Hood was the people's champion. He spurned the authority of the tyrant King John and lived with reckless abandon in Sherwood Forest, waylaying the rich and sharing the plunder with the poor.

Almost every person yearns for such a champion, someone who will bring justice and equity. There never was a Robin Hood, but we wish there were one.

King David grew up in Bethlehem, the youngest of Jesse's eight sons. He was relegated to herding sheep (1 Samuel 16:10-11).

God chose David to replace King Saul, the first king of Israel. Saul repeatedly went his own way and disregarded God's instructions (1 Samuel, 13, 15). Saul turned into a tyrant, and knowing that David was God's anointed replacement, sought to kill David.

David was a follower of God. He loved God and sought to honor and obey Him more than he sought to please people. David became the people's champion (1 Samuel 18:5-7), but he was forced to live like an outlaw because of Saul's relentless jealousy and hatred.

David went into hiding at the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1). When people heard David was there, a select group went and joined him. We are told that "all those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him" (1 Samuel 22:2).

Robin Hood has his "merry men," but David had his "mighty men" (2 Samuel 23:8ff).

While David was being hunted by Saul, he delivered the city of Keilah from the marauding Philistines and protected them (1 Samuel 23:1-6). He also dealt with the treacherous Nabal in 1 Samuel 25.

David continually inquired of the Lord and was protected by Him (1 Samuel 23:14, 26-29). He was a God-follower; Saul had turned his back on God so many times that God no longer spoke to him (1 Samuel 28:6).

Saul was eventually killed by the Philistines. David did not usurp the throne that God had promised him, but waited on God. He was anointed by the people of Judah first (2 Samuel 2:7). Seven years later, he was anointed king over all of Israel (2 Samuel 5:4-5).

David was the people's king. He was a great warrior and conquered the nation's enemies. The people prospered under King David. God honored him by allowing his descendants to rule Israel for many years. David was a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ.

Though David was a better king than Saul, Jesus Christ is the ultimate King. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus Christ has yet to come to His earthly throne, but one day He will rule (Revelation 21:3-4).

We can hope for some Robin Hood or reflect on the life and times of King David, but the best thing is to get aligned with Jesus Christ by giving our life to Him now. He will make everything "just right."