The OT is very useful, whenever one wants to support a personal bias, there is always a passage to pull out and use.  Like most mythology, much of it is fiction.  "King" David was, at best, a small time warlord as fictionalized as King Arthur.  The important thing for those who claim the title "conservative" is that it provides and endless supply of rules, punishments and wrath of god language.  Handy to pull out when necessary.  Spend less time reading the bible, and more time getting an education.  You'll have a better life and be less full of hate, allegedly supported by god.