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Biblical Figures Exhibiting Narcissistic Qualities
- Angela Startz, MAHSC, CMCLC
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Having established what biblical narcissism looks like in Satan – The Original Narcissist, Let’s look at a few notable men who fell into step with Satan’s narcissism.
King Saul
Traits Displayed: Pride, jealousy, obsession with status, and lack of accountability.
Examples/Explanation:
Saul’s insecurity and envy toward David reveal narcissistic tendencies. When David gained popularity after defeating Goliath, Saul became consumed with jealousy, fearing David would overshadow him (1 Samuel 18:7-9). Instead of celebrating David’s success, Saul tried to kill him multiple times (1 Samuel 18:11, 19:9-10), showing an inability to tolerate others’ success.
Saul’s disobedience to God’s commands, such as sparing King Agag and the Amalekite spoils (1 Samuel 15:8-9), reflects a sense of entitlement, as he prioritized his own judgment over God’s. When confronted by Samuel, Saul deflected blame and justified his actions (1 Samuel 15:20-21), a common narcissistic trait.
His obsession with public image is evident when he begged Samuel to honor him before the elders despite his sin (1 Samuel 15:30).
King Nebuchadnezzar
Traits Displayed: Grandiosity, craving admiration, and lack of humility.
Examples/Explanation:
Nebuchadnezzar’s pride is clear in his declaration, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built… by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). This self-exaltation reflects a grandiose sense of self-importance.
He demanded worship of a golden statue, threatening death to those who refused (Daniel 3:1-6), showing a need for universal admiration and control.
His lack of empathy is seen in his harsh treatment of others, such as throwing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:19-20). However, God humbled him through madness until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty (Daniel 4:34-37), showing that narcissistic traits can be confronted through divine intervention.
Pharaoh (Exodus)
Traits Displayed: Arrogance, manipulation, and refusal to acknowledge fault.
Examples/Explanation:
The Pharaoh of the Exodus hardened his heart against God’s commands to let the Israelites go, even after witnessing miraculous plagues (Exodus 7:13-14, 8:15). His refusal to submit reflects pride and a belief in his own supremacy.
He manipulated situations, such as agreeing to release the Israelites only to renege (Exodus 8:28-32, 10:24-27), showing a desire to maintain control and power.
His lack of empathy is evident in his brutal treatment of the Israelite slaves, increasing their workload despite their suffering (Exodus 5:6-9).
Absalom
Traits Displayed: Charisma, manipulation, and self-promotion.
Examples/Explanation:
Absalom, David’s son, sought to usurp his father’s throne by charming and manipulating the people of Israel. He positioned himself at the city gate, flattering citizens and implying he would be a better judge than David (2 Samuel 15:2-6), a tactic reflecting a need for admiration and power.
His grandiose actions, like erecting a monument to himself (2 Samuel 18:18), show self-obsession.
His betrayal of his father demonstrates a lack of empathy and loyalty, prioritizing his own ambition (2 Samuel 15:10-12).
It’s easy to see how these men can be called narcissists. We have very little evidence to the contrary. However, we must be careful how we judge them, or any narcissist for that matter. Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead (II Timothy 4:1). And we are all prone to narcissistic tendencies.
Narcissistic Tendencies -VS- NPD
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a pervasive and enduring condition. Narcissistic tendencies rear their heads from time to time but are not a defining characteristic of a person’s personality. And, as I said before, we are all vulnerable to displaying narcissistic traits when we are not walking in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Don’t believe me? Let’s look at King David, a man after God’s own heart (I Samuel 13:14).
Example of David’s Narcissistic Traits in the Bathsheba and Uriah Incident
Context: In 2 Samuel 11, David sees Bathsheba bathing, desires her, and acts on his impulse despite knowing she is married to Uriah, one of his loyal soldiers. His subsequent actions to cover up the affair reveal narcissistic tendencies.
Traits Displayed: Entitlement and Self-Centeredness
Example/Explanation: David, as king, abused his authority by summoning Bathsheba and sleeping with her (2 Samuel 11:2-4). His actions suggest a sense of entitlement, believing he could take what he wanted without regard for her marriage or God’s law. This self-centered focus on his desires over others’ rights reflects narcissistic prioritization of personal gratification.
Traits Displayed: Lack of Empathy
Example/Explanation: After Bathsheba became pregnant, David showed no concern for her distress or Uriah’s honor. Instead, he orchestrated a cover-up by recalling Uriah from battle, encouraging him to sleep with Bathsheba to pass off the pregnancy (2 Samuel 11:6-8). When Uriah refused out of loyalty to his comrades, David arranged for his death by placing him in the front lines (2 Samuel 11:14-15). This disregard for Uriah’s life and Bathsheba’s well-being demonstrates a narcissistic lack of empathy.
Traits Displayed: Manipulation and Deception
Example/Explanation: David’s attempts to manipulate Uriah into sleeping with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:8-11) and his deceptive letter to Joab to ensure Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 11:14-17) show a willingness to scheme to protect his own reputation. This calculated cover-up aligns with narcissistic tendencies to prioritize self-image and avoid accountability.
David’s narcissistic traits in this episode—entitlement, lack of empathy, and manipulation—caused immense harm. However, his later repentance after Nathan’s confrontation (2 Samuel 12:13) shows the potential for change, unlike persistent narcissism.
When we stumble in our walk with the Lord and our mindset and behavior resemble that of Satan more than Jesus, we need to follow David’s example and repent.
If you need guidance and support dealing with the narcissist in your life or recovering from an out-of-character narcissistic episode, Called2Rise can help.
Angela W Startz, MAHSC, CCLC
Mental Health & Relationship Coach
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