David’s and Saul’s Sins, Then and Now

David’s and Saul’s Sins, Then and Now

When believers sin or when it is revealed that a leader lives in fornication, they attempt in any way possible to find support in order to repair their reputation by comparing themselves to men in the Bible who have also sinned. It is almost as if they rejoiced over the fact that they have examples of men in the Bible who have sinned. One particular place of refuge for these leaders is David’s fall with Bathsheba. Since David could continue as king, they think that these fallen leaders can also continue to be leaders of God’s people, which they have also done in several instances.

Now let us compare David’s calling and task from the Lord with our calling. Read Psalm 132.

David swore to the Lord that he would not go into his house or to the comfort of his bed or give sleep to his eyes until he had found a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty God of Jacob. David fulfilled this promise.

“Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your saints shout for joy.”

Israel was hard pressed by the enemies on all sides and the ark of the Lord, which was their sanctuary, had to be moved to different places; it happened that even the enemy got hold of it. 1 Sam. 6:1. David suffered under this, and he swore to the Lord that he would fight the wars of the Lord until all the enemies were destroyed so that the ark of the Lord could find a place of rest. That is why the Lord also swore an oath to David and He would not turn from it—that He would set on David’s throne the fruit of his body, that his sons would sit on his throne forevermore.

David lived in the old covenant in which the blessings, as well as the sacrifices and the worship of God were earthly and visible. The temple of the Lord was also made of wood and stones. The nations around them were enemies who had to be overcome so that the Israelites could worship God in peace and every man in the entire land could go up to Jerusalem three times a year without fear. Ex. 34:23-24. David finished this battle and this work. 1 Kings 5:4-5.

All these things were written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Cor. 10:11. It became evident that there were other enemies that were more dangerous than those who lived around them, and that was sin in the flesh. Israel broke God’s laws, which was why the enemy gained power over them. David could not overcome sin in the flesh, but the One whom God would raise up, who was of the fruit of David’s body, He would finish this war, and Paul says in his message, “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus.” Acts 13:22-23. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Vs. 38-39.

The Jews expected a Messiah, who would fight like David, but Jesus fought a totally different battle which the Jews did not understand; and because Jesus did not want to liberate them from the Romans, they crucified Him. However, it was sin in the flesh that had made them subject to the Romans. Therefore Jesus was to overcome sin which was embedded in the flesh in which dwells nothing good. Rom. 7:18. So Jesus had to be born of the seed of David according to the flesh (Rom. 1:3), and sin had to be condemned in the flesh in order to make it possible for us to walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh, so that the requirement of the law could be fulfilled in us. Rom. 8:3-4.

Jesus said, “‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.’. . . But He was speaking of the temple of His body.” John 2:19, 21.

When sin in the flesh has the power, the heart is filled with unrest and all kinds of activities. It becomes a den of thieves. However, Jesus came to raise up the temple of the body so it could be a house of prayer. As a result He began this battle, and sin in the flesh was condemned and overcome. He started a slaughter of man’s self-will. We can read about it in Isaiah 63. He trampled the peoples in His fury. Edom is a type of the flesh, and the peoples are a type of sin in the flesh; and when Jesus was perfected He was called High Priest. Heb. 5:7-10.

Just as David was faithful in everything by overcoming the external enemies so they could build a house of wood and stone, so Jesus, whom God raised up of the seed of David, was faithful by overcoming the enemies within so that the body could become a temple of the Lord—and His body did not see corruption.

We are also called to be warriors for Jesus Christ and fight the good fight of faith. We shall follow Jesus who consecrated the way. We, too, can overcome the enemies in the power of His Spirit whom He sent on the day of Pentecost, so that our bodies can be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Paul was a sacrificial priest of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable so he could lead them to a life of obedience in word and deed. Rom. 15:16-18.

The will and the lusts of the Gentiles were slaughtered through Paul’s ministry so they could be laid as a sacrifice on the altar of the Lord. What a precious ministry and faithfulness he displayed. What are we going to say in this connection about the believers of our day who live in sin? They do not want to be slaughtered like these Gentiles. And what shall we say about their leaders who should be Jesus Christ’s sacrificial priests but who live in adultery, love of money, the lust to rule, and envy? Certainly, this cannot be compared to David’s sin; he was faithful in the work he had received. Quite often it is not just one fall; they even live in sin right up to when they are exposed. You cannot say anything about such people except what John says about them: “He who sins is of the devil . . . .” 1 John 3:8. These leaders can be compared to Saul who, because he failed his calling, was rejected.

Samuel commanded Saul to destroy Amalek utterly and not spare any of them but kill all that had life because Amalek had lain in wait for Israel when he came up from Egypt. However, Saul and the people spared Agag and the best and the next best, but everything that was despised and worthless, that they destroyed utterly. Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “‘I have performed the commandment of the Lord.’” But Samuel said, ‘What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?’” 1 Sam. 15.

Amalek is a type of the old man who is a hindrance when you are to serve the Lord. Nothing of what is part of the old man is to be spared, but the leaders of our days act just like Saul did. They spare the best and the next best. Everything that is great in man’s eyes is permitted to live, but they slaughter whatever is despised. In spite of their unfaithfulness they are just as bold as Saul was and say, “Blessed are you of the Lord!” They give each other a good clap on the shoulder and call each other “dear brother” and speak so prettily about doing God’s will and being a total sacrifice on God’s altar. However, in the midst of this apparent glory and happiness you can hear the old man bleating and lowing. Sin is becoming manifest, and if they whitewash it ever so much, it does not result in peace. Their denomination, which is supposed to be the church, will never become the resting place for the Holy Spirit, which explains why they constantly speak about a new fullness. Just think if they had rather spoken more about obedience?!

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest. For God’s Word is sharper than any two-edged sword and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. 4:11-12.

For the church to be the pillar and foundation of the truth and a resting place for the Holy Spirit there have to be men who can use the sword of the Word and wage the wars of the Lord faithfully for their own part and in the church. Then there can be rest.

Saul lost his kingdom because of his unfaithfulness, and his disobedience could not be reversed. This is also how it has gone with the current leaders who live luxuriously and want to be a head taller than all the others. They will certainly not find consolation in David’s sin but they will be put in the same class as Saul. Just like Saul, they too, have already for many years, driven by an evil spirit, persecuted all those who faithfully fight the wars of the Lord. But God be praised who then as now will give His testimony to all of the true Davids. Be therefore bold and strong. 2 Thess. 2:12-15.