Asperger Syndrome

David Hill (16 June 1999) "King David had Asperger Syndrome"

I have recently become aquaited with Asperger Syndrome, and wanted to share what I found.

This is a 'mild' form of Autisticism, and is pasted down through the genes of the father. With this regard, I can agree with Jim's posts on the little Autistic child that saw an angel. These kids where their hearts on their sleaves, and are unassuming. If the Lord was going to send an angel to anyone, I could believe that it would be to an Austic Child.

People with Asperger syndrome, can't break down proteins from dairy products or from grains. The resulting compound is actually a depressent. As well, because they are not getting the proteins they need, this will manifest itself in some sort of skin condition. A regular Dermatologist will not be able to identify the problem, but will only recongnize it as 'dry skin', and will recommend some type of lotion. If they change their diet, it is possible to overcome this dry skin condtion.

I has come to my attention that King David had this condition:

1) These people are very familiar with Depression, more then most people. A casual reading of the Psalms will show that this was true of King David, regardless of the source.

2)These people, because they don't relate well to society, and they know they don't; they tend to seek out a mentor, to learn how to act in society. They become bonded to that individual(s), in a close way. Jonothon was David's Mentor. He wanted to be like Jonothon. (1 Sam 18:1-4, 20:41-42, 23:17; 2Sam 1:26)

3)These people have what I will call 'dysfunctional thinking'. They see the other side of the coin, and are very often misunderstood, and their motives questioned, and they are bullied alot. All of these can be seen in Davids life. (1Sam 17:28, 30:23; 2Sam 1:17, 3:33, 12:21-22: there are others...)

4) They have Quick, Harsh Tempers. David manifested this on numerous occasions (1Sam 25:13; 2Sam 4:11, 6:22, 12:5-6)

5)They have acute hearing; as one was told by a person giving them a hearing test, "You can hear the whine that a Jet engine makes as it passes overhead." This is manifested in two ways by David. The first is that they love to Sing (and play instruments) in Perfect Pitch. This can be seen in the amount of Psalms that David produced. But it can clearly be seen in his ministry to Saul (1Sam 16:23), when he played (and sang) for Saul and the evil spirit left him. The second way it is manifested is the ability to Hear God's Voice. Whether audibly, as in the case of the Prophets, or as the Still Small voice (unaudible). David himself, could hear the still small voice of God. (1Sam 23:2,11,12; 2Sam 2:1, 5:23-24!)

6) These people, if they feel that no one wants them around, will up and leave at the drop of a hat. This was the case with David in numerous cases involving Saul. However, it is more obvious in regards to Absolom. He 'fled' from His own son, even though he was King of Israel.

7)These people tend to be exhibitionists (in an innocent way). King David displayed this as well. (2Sam 6:14-21).

There are several other symptons that people with Asperger Syndrome manifest. One is that they don't know how to use 'Prose' in their writings (I think it was prose, might have been something else). I think that if someone who was an expert in Literature were to research the words of David, that they would find this to be the case. This would almost assure that he had this syndrome.

They also like 'sameness' in the sense that they don't want to change. David would probably have been content herding sheep all his life. So, it is no coincidence that his father had to basically shove him into the limelight, by making him go down to the battlefield. Jesse had probably heard about the confrontation with Goliath. He had heard about David killing the Lion and Bear. David himself could have gone down to the battlefield anytime he wanted to, but didn't. Jesse could have sent a servant down with the food, but knowing more about David's destiny then David did, he used this opertunity to get his son involved in the affairs of Israel. David was 'forced' into this change, from being a Shepherd of Sheep, to a Shepherd of Israel.

If David only manifested one or two of the points above, then he wouldn't necessiarly have this condition. However, each one of the above conditions is Common to people with this condtion, and David manifested all of them.

So, with that all said, because we know that part of Judah went into exile with the Ten Lost Tribes; then it is possible that where ever these tribes are, that those people among them that have asperger syndrome, could possibly be descended from King David...

http://web.archive.org/web/20000605104236/www.fivedoves.com/letters/june99/hill616b.htm