Way of the Kings

2 Kings 8:18-19
"And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children."
Israel was warned exactly what having a king would mean for them. This was not God's perfect plan for them, though He still worked it out to His will. All the way back to Samuel, Israel was warned against establishing a monarchy, yet they ignored the warnings. And look what happened.
Kings like David were an exception to a rule. The rule was the "way of the kings of Israel" - idolatry, wickedness, iniquity. That was their way, David, the exception chose to walk in God's way instead.
David's choice resulted in God's mercy being poured out again and again on an undeserving nation. A nation of prostitutes who went after evil false gods, rejecting outright the love, mercy and grace of the One True God.
Sound familiar?