The children’s ministry at our church just wrapped up the study of 1 Samuel and I had tried to align my private Bible time with the children. Early in my faith, I would read my Bible and felt “spoken to” the most when I read the New Testament, but reading through the OT just felt like a history lesson. I know now that my preference for the NT over the OT just stemmed from my young faith & confusion on the concept that God literally speaks through His Word. Now as I eagerly dig into the history I find so many things that never popped out before - most notably how Saul turned from this evil crazy king to someone I finally understood and felt sorry for.
David took almost everything to the Lord, seeking answers for hard decisions in prayer and contemplation with the ephod. He sought God’s counsel while Saul acted on impulse or listened to his advisors, but sought the Lord more infrequently. I relate more to Saul.
David often joyfully followed God’s commands and customs that were established in the OT because he loved and honored the Lord. Saul had selective obedience, sort of following God’s commands, but not completely. I relate more to Saul.
Saul had banned mediums because they were occult and against the Lord’s laws, but chose to meet with one anyways. He did fast beforehand, not that it had any benefit, but Saul felt lost and in need of answers. Instead of turning to God, he exercised his selective obedience and turned to others for answers. I relate more to Saul.
In 28:10, he uses God’s name to promise that this medium won’t be punished, despite her breaking His covenant. How many times have I used God’s name wrongfully instead of respecting it as David?
The Lord literally left Saul because of his unrepentant sin, but Saul is still disillusioned that God is with him. How long was I claiming to be a Christian and actively living in sin? I relate more to Saul.
David still honors Saul because he was anointed by God as king while Saul chased after him for years with the intent of killing David. Honestly, I can’t recall the reason at the moment, but I know David was blameless. How many people have I been irrationally angry, jealous, or judgmental at for no reason?
David was upset that Goliath was insulting the God with his threats and felt led to act in the name of the Lord, bringing the Israelites a victory while Saul had acted in cowardice and distrust that the Lord would provide. I relate more to Saul.
When the Israelites begged and pleaded for a king, and God answered them by anointing Saul, who hid behind the baggage when Samuel introduced the people to their new king? It wasn’t David.
Saul was reluctant, fearful, a bad shepherd, jealous, dishonest, and gave incomplete answers. David wasn’t perfect either, not even in 1 Samuel, but both he and Samuel were viewed more as men of integrity than Saul, the latter I feel most relatable to.
What I am grateful for even more so is God’s patience, grace, and mercy for the sinner that I am and for the assurance of my salvation in Christ Jesus.