I’ve been thinking quite a lot about David and Saul lately. Mostly, I’ve been contemplating the questions set before me by my mentor. How does God deal with a Christian that is engaged in ongoing sin – a follower that is not actively turning away and resisting his sinful nature? Why did God deal with David and Saul differently? I have a few thoughts swirling around and will address them tomorrow, but for now I’m reading 1 Samuel and looking at some commentary about God’s actions as well as indicators that show differences in the hearts of David and Saul. Anyway, here is an interesting six-part series I found that provides a timeline and commentary of David, Saul, and Goliath. Enjoy!
David and Goliath Part 2 – A Fearsome Enemy
David and Goliath Part 3 – A Faithless King
David and Goliath Part 4 – A Boy After God’s Own Heart
David and Goliath Part 5 – The Living God
David and Goliath Part 6 – What About You?
Found at The Morrisons
I don’t think the question and answer is relevant. David and Saul aren’t Christians, they follow another set of restrictions and have another faith. Both David and Saul get punished for their sins. David doesn’t get to build the temple and Saul doesn’t get to continue his bloodline as a king.
Daniel.
While David and Saul were not Christians- per se, they were followers of God (or in the one case, at least professing to be). And, though they did follow many legal dictates that the modern Christian is not required to follow (since Christ declared legalism dead, preferring that our hearts live the law because of our love for God – not because it keeps us clean on the outside only), they were still expected to be of the same spiritual standard that the modern Christian is, as this is what Christ came to show us. In my opinion, the same moral, ethical, and faith implications apply to us today. I see their lives as a way to understand the obedience God demands, His mercy and abounding love even when we go to extremes to make a path for sin in our lives, and His discipline when we will not turn from our sin, when we try to take a nitpicking, legalistic view of our sin as only being a “variation” of what God wanted from us – i.e. trying to convince God that we didn’t really disobey.
And while they are both punished harshly, I do see a distinct difference as to how David is characterized and how Saul is characterized by the author. Hmmm . . . thank you for your comment. I will definitely be thinking of it as I mull this over:)
It’s an interesting take on morals. What if, say, Saul or David truly believed that they were just following their faith and trying to do their part as best they can?
If their actions are inherently bad – meaning anyone doing this set of actions under any circumstances is absolutely wrong, then God judges them by knowing their actions and comparing them to a certain “list”.
If their actions are wrong because they know or come to an understanding that it is wrong (by whatever means; logical, emotional or through faith), then god judges them by a subjective standard and no action is inherently wrong, meaning only a being that knows what we believe about our actions can judge us, and we can do whatever we feel is good.
It might be interesting to try to work out the seeming contradictions here.
Daniel.
Daniel,
I do indeed have some thoughts (maybe answers) about (to) this. Have to run right now, but I will back later:)
Hey Daniel! I’ll probably not have a chance to get back to this until tomorrow.