One might rightly ask how a man who stood head and shoulders above others, was chosen by God to be king over his people Israel and even had the Spirit of God fall upon him multiple times, so he that prophesied, could end-up dead upon Mount Gilboa due to a fatally self-inflicted wound? The answer? Saul’s heart was far from God. The chronologist summaries Saul’s end by saying, “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse” (10:13-14).
David, a very young, ruddy and handsome shepherd was anointed king many years before sitting on the throne. God chose David because of his heart (1 Samuel 16:7)! God said of David that he possessed a heart after his own (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). David proved this time and again, and especially because David was content to wait until God installed him as king, though he could have killed Saul on several occasions and taken the throne prematurely. What is more, he cared for the ark of the covenant, the place where God dwelled among and communed with his people. David made tent for the ark of the covenant because, evidently, the first one was either destroyed or in disrepair (1 Chronicles 15:1) and he made provision for a full-blown temple to be constructed of wood and stone (1 Chronicles 28)!
Just like God used the circumstances of life to sift the hearts of Saul and David, he will do the same with us. What will be revealed about your heart? Does your heart long and seek after God (Psalm 42:1–2), or is it selfish and rebellious?
“He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound retreat, He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat; O be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on” (Verse 3, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” by Julia Ward Howe).
David W. Davis
