David and Saul Continued

The portion of scripture regarding David and Saul teaches us that there was a vast spiritual difference between these two leaders, some of which are pointed out in this teaching.  

Ungodly Saul

      The fact that Saul had not heard of Samuel, who had ruled God’s people for years, indicates that he must have lived outside religious circles and was not concerned with Godly things. This fact would stop God from choosing him to rule over His people. Saul was worldly and probably didn’t respect and appreciate God’s spiritual laws. Even though Saul wasn’t God’s choice, He will give the Israelites their way. Saul was allowed to serve as king over God’s people until he took his own life. Once God has decreed a thing, He doesn’t go back on His word. God had anointed Saul to be king at the request of the people and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. His death would be the only way Saul will no longer be king.

Godly David

David on the other hand had a passion and hunger for God. He lived a life of prayer, worship and spiritual intimacy with God -- although not without sin. David’s desire was to please God and serve others. Even though Samuel had told David that God had chosen him to be king over Israel, David served king Saul for many years and never mentioned to Saul that God had chosen him. David knew that God would appoint the time. David was a God-pleaser, not a people-pleaser like Saul. David encouraged others to be the same. David sought God’s face and counsel and depended upon Him. He understood that God was the real King of Israel and he was only His representative. David was also loyal and inspired loyalty in others.

Preparation

Saul was not prepared by God to be king, but David was. David was chosen and anointed to be king at the age of 17 but didn’t take the throne until the age of 30. 30 in scripture is the number of maturity. In between David’s three anointings,God is preparing David and testing him so he will know God and be a faithful, good leader over God’s beloved people. Samuel had warned Saul that Israel belonged to the Lord. They were His inheritance. Saul was to lead and care for them as God would. He failed. Saul allowed his flesh to get in the way of his Godly duty.

Unmerited Favor

Saul started with God’s unmerited favor but fell out of God’s favor through disobedience to God, His will and ways. Saul slowly and steadily withdrew from God’s ways. Eventually, Saul turned away from following the Lord completely and never returned to Him. 1 Samuel 15:10 -11: Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Saul’s seed would have reigned forever had he not blatantly disobeyed God’s instruction. Because Saul had rejected the Word of the Lord, the Lord rejected Saul. Then Samuel, the prophet, priest and king anointed of God, told Saul that the Lord “has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors – one better than you.” 1 Samuel 15:28  That neighbor was David.

God’s Equipping

In the beginning of Saul’s reign, he had the same things David had to rule. Saul and David were both anointed with the Holy Spirit. David’s anointing was greater however. Saul was anointed with a flask of oil (small amount) but David was anointed with a horn of oil (greater amount). Both David and Saul were supported by godly Samuel who shared God’s Word and counsel with them. Both were given gifts of royalty. Both were supported by the majority of God’s people. Both were surrounded by mighty warriors. Despite this, Saul chose his own way. David chose God's way. The result: Saul’s leadership was a failed one; David’s was a successful one despite his faults. Christ inherited the right to David’s throne fulfilling Isaiah 9:6-7. David’s kingdom was eternal in Christ. Revelation 22:16: “I am the root and offspring of David.” Jesus is David’s Creator (root) as well as His offspring – heir of David. 

The Declination of Sin

       Saul spent a substantial amount of his kingship trying to kill David because of jealousy, resentment and anger. To flee Saul’s wrath, David hid in caves and fled to another country. David had three opportunities to kill Saul but wouldn’t touch God’s anointed one. David trusted that God was in control, so he would wait upon God. The very one that God had chosen to restore God’s blessing to His people, Saul wanted to destroy.

David turned from his sin and followed the Lord, but Saul made excuses and blamed others. Saul didn’t trust God, nor did he seek God’s counsel. Eventually, God’s people will see that Saul was devoid of the godly qualities and character needed to lead them. Saul had the same opportunity as David to confess and repent of his sins and didn’t. David‘s confession and repentance set him free and gave him God’s forgiveness. David was also worried that the Lord would take His Spirit from him like He did to Saul, so David asked the Lord in Psalm 51:11 “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51 is the depth of David’s sorrow over His sin of adultery and murder.

David said in Psalm 16:2, “You are My Lord; I have no good apart from you.” David understood that without the Lord, he could do nothing. Jesus said in John 5:19, “the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son does in like manner.”  Again, Jesus said in John 5:30, Jesus said, “I can of Myself do nothing.” Why did Jesus say these things? Jesus and the Father are One. They never contradict each other and walk together in perfect harmony and agreement. In His flesh body, Jesus did nothing apart from God. Jesus also said that “apart from Him you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Followers of Christ are to do what the Son did in harmony and agreement according to God's will.