Saul Attacking David (1646) by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Guercino)
Today, reply is made on divine impartiality in judgment as the first kings of Israel, Saul and David, are contrasted. In general the works of Saul may be spoken of as political and secular, while the works of David included a broad range of spiritual acts and prophetic demonstrations that furthered the order and beauty of priesthood. As the heirs of Adam, both men were sinners, both were labeled by GOD as “bloody”, both men were mortals who eventually died, and both should be carefully considered for their use by divinity to make visible the aspects of sacred makeup such as faithfulness, forgiveness, longsuffering, mercy, patience, repentance, wisdom, and wrath against sin. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Capricorn” (Level 1 with zero (0) points shown, a member since March 09, 2017) posted the following:
Why did YHWH condemn Saul to death, but he didn’t do the same to David who also sinned against God?
Scripture tells us that both Saul and David have disobeyed God, but Saul was (effectively) condemned to death, whilst God commuted David’s death penalty.
So why did God kill only one person, but not both of them if they both sinned against him?
What made Saul different from David that he should fall onto his sword and have his head put on display by his enemies?
Why was God more lenient towards David although they have both sinned against him?
Why should they be treated differently if they have both sinned against Jehovah.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD? (2nd Samuel 21: 1-3, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Prophesying By Music Ministers (11/06/2017); David, Goliath and GOD (05/26/2017); The Sin of Witchcraft? (01/24/2017); The Living Baptized for the Dead? (03/27/2015); Ark of the Covenant? (03/17/2015); The Sin of Pride? (08/13/2014); Judged For Acts and Thoughts? (08/14/2014); A Hardened Spirit? (06/12/2014); Mary (06/13/2014); Lot and the Angels (05/04/2014); Expulsion from Eden (05/05/2014)
“Capricorn”, the revelation of GOD is about Jesus Christ, and the lessons we are given use nations and kings such as Judah and Israel, Saul and David. There are multiple operations and tools used by GOD to make immortal, incorruptible, unseen divinity knowable, known, accessible, and approachable. Through the Bible we are allowed to “see” GOD from a divine point of view (i.e., appearing through thousands of events within thousands of lives over the course of thousands of years). The peculiar study methods of comparing (showing how two figures are the same) and contrasting (showing how figures are different) appear throughout the Scriptures. In some instances there is a direct pairing of figures (e.g., the brothers Abel and Cain, or Esau and Jacob; the prophets Balaam and Moses; the High Priests Aaron and Melchizedek); others can be discovered easily and made the focus of detailed studies (For example, the Judge Samson can be compared to King Solomon as the judge who determines the true mother of a child in a dispute between two prostitutes. The ruin for both these sacred figures came through their weaknesses relating to women. Samson yielded to the nagging of one woman; while Solomon yielded to those among his 700 wives and 300 concubines.) Keep in mind, when GOD proclaimed his glory before Moses, he declared the sins of the fathers will challenge the following four generations (i.e., as much as 160 years).
The character and spirit content of Saul began to come into view when he was introduced to divine service through an encounter with the prophet Samuel. Saul was seeking animals (property) that had strayed from his home. Before being supported in public as the chosen king of Israel, much to his surprise and that of everyone else, Saul first experienced an anointing among a group of prophets who were strangers to him. At first, Saul displayed no ambition to be prophet or king, and even hid himself to avoid being taken. Later, his determination to establish his own continuing dynasty became a form of insanity and madness. His first “official business” as king that gained him favor was a military intervention where he would be the champion for Jabesh-gilead against the Ammonites. (The Gibeonites in fact were Amorites (Gentiles) who had tricked those under Joshua into making a forbidden covenant. Later, Saul would seek to eliminate them all, and following his death, Israel would be cursed with famine for three years.) Saul accused Ahimelech of rebellion and aiding of David, and commanded 85 from the line of priests be slaughtered at Nob. When Saul realized he no longer had the favor of GOD, and following the death of his adviser, Samuel, Saul went so far as to seek knowledge from the dead through a witch, rather than repent, or step down from being king over Israel. Saul’s death was by suicide after being wounded in battle.
Before the defeat of the Philistine champion, Goliath, David had been anointed to be king by the Prophet Samuel. David challenged the giant in reverence to GOD. Even so, David’s ascendance to the throne of Israel required a full generation (40 years) that included tempering and testing through life as a fugitive, serving as a leader of refugees and those also persecuted by Saul, secretly fighting against the enemies of Israel as well as serving as king over Hebron. David expressed devotion to GOD from his youth, and throughout his lifetime displayed a sacred anointing that included faith, gratitude, humility, longsuffering, meekness, and repentance. GOD would not allow David to pursue his selfish plan to build a temple at Jerusalem; yet, granted that his dynasty would reign, and pledged that the promised prophet and ruler of Israel (many say, the Messiah) would come from his line.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and made a part of our own spiritual grasp. (For example, David died at home in bed as did Jacob. In addition to service as king, the anointing upon David also was that of judge, priest, and prophet. Thus, David recovered the Ark of the Covenant, created a new tent of meeting, established the liturgy for worship as well as the schedules of service for the Levites. Because of the coronation of Solomon before his death, Israel as a united kingdom had two consecrated monarchs on a single throne at the same time, the father and the son.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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