A Tale Of Two Kings (Part 1)

Saul was Israel’s first king. He was called by God to be king and then rejected as king by God. Then there is David, the second king. God always accepted David no matter what he did. David is always remembered in the Scriptures as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) while Saul is remembered as the king rejected by God. They were both great leaders with flawed character – yet one found favor with God, while the other was rejected. This presented a huge mystery on my first journey through the Scriptures - but it was a mystery that held the crucial answer to knowing what God values and who God receives.

Saul and David: Similar Backgrounds
(Note: these are not necessarily traits exhibited through their whole lives)

They were both handsome (1 Samuel 9:2, 16:12).
They were both humble (1 Samuel 9:22, 18:18).
They were both bold (1 Samuel 11:7, 17:32).
They were both called by God (1 Samuel 9:17, 16:12).
They were both anointed king by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 10:1, 16:13).
They were both empowered by the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 11:6, 16:13).
They were both leaders (1 Samuel 11:11, 18:5).
They were both warriors (1 Samuel 11:11, 17:49).
They both sinned against God (1 Samuel 15, 2 Samuel 11).
They were both confronted by a prophet (1 Samuel 15, 2 Samuel 12).

As we analyze the sins of these men, and their responses to God in relation to their sin, we are faced with powerful and surprising truths as to how God measures a man. Is there more to godliness than being righteous? Find out on Friday when we continue with part 2 of this series and examine the major sins in the lives of Saul and David.

Go On To Part 2