David and Saul – Part 5

   

       Those the Lord chooses, He prepares. God is preparing David through trials and tests to rule over His people. Saul is the opposite of David. He was not prepared to rule over God’s people. God allowed His people to have Saul as king because it was their choice even though He warned the Israelites through Samuel on what their choice of king would do to them. This is God’s permissive will.

        The entire Bible is written to show the difference between those who are ruled by God and those who are not. It is imperative therefore that we see the difference, so we choose God’s way and not our flesh’s way which is fueled by the devil. The following is my attempt to point out the difference between Saul and David even though they were both sinners like all of us.

David vs Saul

·       David was God’s kind of king, but Saul was humanity’s kind of king.

·       David was a man after God’s own heart, but Saul sought the peoples’ praise. (see 1 Samuel 18:6-8) Saul was angry and jealous of the people’s praise for David after defeating Goliath. Saul sees David as a threat to taking over the kingdom. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. 1 Samuel 18:11 Note that God controls the evil spirits! This demonic spirit in Saul brought anger and jealousy and drove Saul to hurl a spear at David because he was afraid of him taking over the kingdom. But all Israel loved David because of his leadership and victory in battle. (see 1 Samuel 18:12-16) In contrast, even though Saul tried to kill David many times, David continued to serve him and the Lord. He endured tribulation and suffering through Saul. David’s kingship is eternal through Christ, but God rejected Saul’s kingship. (1 Samuel 15:23)

·       When Samuel confronted Saul with his disobedience of God’s Word and will, Saul confessed his sins, but he also wanted to save face in front of the people. He asked Samuel to honor him before the people. This is pride! There was no humble and contrite heart in Saul. David, on the other hand, when confronted by Nathan regarding his egregious sins, confessed his sin against the Lord and accepted the consequences. (see 2 Samuel 12:13-14) David repented and wrote the 51^st Psalm pouring out his heart to God and asking the Lord to create a clean heart within him. This brought the Lord’s forgiveness. “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

·         Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin; David from the tribe of Judah—the kingly tribe.

·               David cared for and protected his father’s sheep; Saul was searching for his father’s lost donkeys.

·             David knew the Lord at an early age; Saul didn’t even know Samuel who was God’s chosen judge over all Israel. Saul was probably busy with worldly things not knowing Samuel – God’s prophet, judge and priest. This indicates that Saul had no loyalty to God or godly ways. Loyalty to God and God’s people was the foundation of Samuel’s life. He was dedicated to doing what pleased and honored God. God would want His chosen King to be the same.

·         Saul disobeyed God’s direct command through Samuel to destroy all the Amalekites. (1 Samuel 15:3; 15:9-11) He tried to justify his sin and was proud and arrogant. He had no contrition. Instead, he set up a monument in his own honor. (1 Samuel 15:12) Saul’s narcissism got in his way.

What reveals a narcissistic leader? A narcissistic leader needs constant attention and admiration. He or she loves the admiration of crowds. A narcissist demands unquestionable loyalty and a wall of silence to protect him or her from scrutiny. They demand loyalty and respect without earning either. A narcissist lacks empathy and compassion. They are self-engrossed. When others don’t share their self-aggrandized opinion of themselves, they get angry and vengeful. They are not interested in truth or reality. Narcissists pursue their own ends without restraint. Any protest or reluctance is met with anger.

·            Both David and Saul were anointed by the Lord and had godly Samuel as their counsellor. Both had the opportunity to repent of their sin. Unfortunately, Saul made excuses, blamed others and didn’t trust God. David repented of his sins and admitted to his wrong-doing. Admitting to wrong is not a weakness. It is a sign of strength. Repenting and turning from our sin indicates a change of heart and a willingness to be transformed into God’s image and likeness. God wants a will that is changed – one that yields to His will and seeks to do the right, not the wrong.

   God will have the last say! He will not abandon His people altogether. Eventually, God will give His people His king – David – “a man after His own heart.” God honors those who honor Him. Though David was a sinner like you and me, God knew David’s heart. He knew that David would turn back to Him in remorse and sorrow over his sin, not justify and excuse them. David’s understanding of the love, grace and forgiveness of sin by God drew him into a deep and abiding love for God and His will.

     In David, God painted a picture of His Eternal King over His people – Jesus – who in the flesh came from David’s line. Jesus is the only One who walked in the flesh and did not sin.