Both men sinned. Why was David blessed and Saul rejected?
People often wonder why King David of the Old Testament was called a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, 15). He sinned, disobeyed God, and brought disaster to Israel. Likewise, King Saul, Israel’s first king was disobedient to God. Saul’s sin caused the Spirit of God to leave him and he died in battle in disgrace with thousands of his countrymen, including his sons.
As an interpretive issue, the phrase “a man after God’s own heart” is better understood as “a man of God’s choosing”. There is no implication that David was morally superior or somehow a better human being than Saul. Why then was David God’s choice and Saul was disqualified?
Israel Wants a King
The Israelites were a collection of tribal communities led by God. The Lord God spoke through prophets to instruct and guide his people. But the Israelites wanted a king over them like the surrounding nations. The prophet Samuel was displeased with Israel’s request for a king because they wanted someone to unite them and lead them into battle without a prophet to directly speak the words of the Lord (1 Sam 8:20).
When Samuel prays to the Lord God to ask about a king over Israel, the Lord tells Samuel that the Israelites are not rejecting the leadership of the prophet. They are rejecting the leadership of God (1 Sam 8:9). Samuel is instructed to warn Israel what it means to have a king over them. A king will conscript their sons into his army, force their children to serve his kingdom, tax their crops, and make them slaves (1 Sam 8:10-18).
“But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel” (1 Sam 8:19).
A King is Chosen
The story of Saul and David can be read at this link, click: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%208&version=NIV
Saul met the prophet Samuel on a road as he searched for his father’s donkeys. The Lord told Samuel to anoint Saul as the leader over Israel and that he would defeat their enemies in battle. Samuel poured oil over Saul’s head, a symbolic event that signifies that Saul is chosen and appointed to serve God. From there, Saul goes into battle with the enemy and wins.
Scripture states that Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied (1 Sam 10:10). He was then made king over Israel. God’s choice of king was announced to all the gathered tribes and Saul reigned for forty-two years.
At some point after becoming king, Saul sinned. Instead of waiting for Samuel, who served as priest and prophet, to make a burnt offering to the Lord before battle, Saul took the priestly duty upon himself. Instead of following instructions and waiting, Saul decided to disobey God by performing a spiritual, religious act that is meant to honor God.
Later in the story, Saul disobeys God several more times. Each time Saul chooses to disobey God, he admits “I have sinned”. But his behavior does not change. Saul refused to turn from his mistakes and repent before the Lord.
Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” 1 Samuel 15:10
Israel’s Second King
David was Israel’s most famous king. His rise to power and authority is an exciting drama worthy of a read when you get a chance. David was victorious in battle, had the privilege of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, was a forefather of Jesus, wrote more than seventy psalms that still exist today, became prosperous, and brought unity and peace to his people.
But David also sinned and disobeyed God.
Most notably, as king, David had a man murdered so that he could take the dead man’s wife (2 Samuel 11). Because of this, his first-born son died. In arrogance, David took a census to count the fighting men of Israel (2 Samuel 24). As a result, 70,000 Israelites died.
David, unlike Saul, repented. Repentance is a return to obedience from a state of disobedience. David cried out to God for forgiveness and mercy and God heard his prayers. Several of these prayers are recorded as psalms. Psalm 51 and 32 are the most well-known.
Four characteristics of a genuine return to obedience from a state of disobedience (repentance):
1. David felt sorrow for his sin.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. Psalm 51:4
2. He confessed wrongdoing to God.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Psalm 32:3
3. He asked forgiveness.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2
4. He returned to God.
(Paul preaching in Antioch, Acts 13:22).
“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”
Conclusion
It is natural, human, and easy to almost, but not completely, obey the voice of the Lord on one hand while presuming on the other hand to do something good and religious in his name that he did not ask or require. We may think about obeying the Spirit’s prompt in us eventually. We half-way do what we think we are supposed to. We half-way stop doing things we shouldn’t do. Then, we seek increased spiritual and religious behaviors to make up for our disobedience.
Saul was chosen, anointed, and appointed to serve the Lord. When Saul was called to repentance, to turn and obey, he would not. Partial obedience is disobedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Refusal to repent is disobedience. No amount of community service, prayer, or bible study will erase disobedient acts.
David was not morally superior or less flawed than Saul. David’s poor choices brought severe consequences. But David loved God and trusted in God’s mercy. Confessing his sin, David sought forgiveness with a humble heart that was willing to change. David was brokenhearted over his own disobedience to God and returned to obedience.
To God, a humble, obedient heart is more precious than our spiritual practices. May God, through His Spirit, grant us a spirit like David and the ability to return to obedience.
“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22
Jesus at the Last Supper:
“ If you love me, obey my commandments” John 14:15.
Copyright @ TA Boland 2024
Photo: The ancient remains of the City of David By Ariely - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4533896
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