WEEK 6 ● Day 4
READ 1 SAMUEL 12:1-15 & 2 SAMUEL 12:1-15
Are you wondering why in the world I’ve taken you all the way back to 1 Samuel in our reading today, to the chapter where Samuel is bidding the nation farewell and publicly passing the torch of leadership onto Saul? Well, just bear with me —I promise it’s important for understanding David’s yes in the darkness of 2 Samuel 12. Because this is the turning point of this whole horrible story: what David decides to do when he’s finally confronted with his sin. And we can really only understand how important his choice is in light of another king’s sin —and another king’s choice.
In 1 Samuel 12, the prophet Samuel reminds the Israelites that even through generations of their repeated acts of turning from God, He has never left their side (1 Samuel 12:6-11). The Lord never abandoned them but instead allowed pressure from their enemies so they might turn back to Him for help. And though Saul is their leader, God is still their Great King:
If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well.
Samuel doesn’t say that life will be easy. None of us are promised that life will be happy, peaceful, and comfortable at all times. But this verse says if we follow God, it will be well.
Several verses later, Samuel returns to this crucial point:
Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.
Samuel wanted to make sure they grasped this: As a nation, the people of Israel needed to first and foremost love and follow their heavenly King. These people had seen how idolatry, turning away from God, tore their nation apart before. Their history was a reminder of how not to act. Samuel urged them to look to the future, worshiping God only. Trusting Him above all. Saul began his reign fully understanding the importance of Samuel’s words here. He actually started out as a humble and good king! But over time, he allowed himself to grow comfortable in his luxurious palace.
If you remember, when God removed his blessing from Saul, Samuel reminded Saul of what God really wanted from him: “obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22, VOICE). Sadly, Saul had apparently decided he was done with that fact. He was so convinced of his own greatness that his moral compass was skewed. He’d forgotten that God wasn’t on the same level —that God is King and Supreme Ruler . . . and Saul was just the leader of a small land in the Middle East.
1. Why is it important for us to remember Saul’s journey, in light of what we’re studying about David this week?
2. Head over to 2 Samuel 12:1-15. Write a quick recap of these verses:
Just as Saul came to a crossroads in his leadership, so did David. They both started off as humble men and got comfortable. Entitled. And sin entered in. But here’s where things get interesting: How they responded to being convicted of that sin couldn’t have been more different.
3. What’s the difference between how Saul and David responded to their sin?
SAUL’S RESPONSE |
DAVID’S RESPONSE |
|---|---|
Both kings were confronted by their prophet-advisers, who held them accountable for their immorality and iniquity. Neither king knew at the time, but how they responded had bearing on their future reign. God would either continue to bless, or He would remove that blessing.
4. Why do you think God handled them so differently, though they were both apologetic?
God knows the heart behind all we do and say. Saul only apologized when the consequences became clear (1 Samuel 15:28). David received the rebuke from Nathan and immediately repented. God could tell the difference between the hearts of these two men.
Because David came to the Lord with a contrite and grieving heart, God restored him. There were certainly consequences to be had, but God’s presence —His Spirit —remained with him.
In the days of the Old Testament —generations before the death and resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit —the Holy Spirit would come onto certain people for a particular purpose (e.g., Exodus 31:2-5; Numbers 27:18; Judges 3:10). In the days of David, when God removed His blessing from someone, He also removed His Spirit.
5. How is this different from the Spirit’s role when we sin today?
If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
Different versions translate the word for Holy Spirit in this passage slightly differently, though all obviously mean the same thing. For example, The Message uses the word Friend and the ESV uses the word Helper. Let’s dig into this a bit.
6. Head to John 14:16 in the BLB and click on the word Helper, heading into the Interlinear. This word paraklētos (παράκλητος, pronounced pa-ra-klay-tos) means a lot more than just Friend. After reading through the Outline of Biblical Usage and/or the lexicon, how would you describe paraklētos?
“One who pleads another’s case before a judge” and “called to one’s side”[1] —that almost sounds like a defense attorney, right? We also see words like advocate, intercessor, helper, assistant, adviser, and counselor. I know these are supposed to clarify and allow us to see deeper into who the Holy Spirit is and what He does, yet I feel like each of these words is lacking in fully grasping this aspect of the Trinity.
The notes section in The Passion version of this passage says,
The translator has chosen the word Savior, for it depicts the role of the Holy Spirit to protect, defend, and save us from our self and our enemies and keep us whole and healed. He is the One who guides and defends, comforts and consoles. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, our Savior. The Aramaic word is paraqleta, which is taken from two root words: (1) praq, “to end, finish, or to save,” and (2) lyta, which means “the curse.” What a beautiful word picture, the Holy Spirit comes to end the work of the curse (of sin) in our lives and to save us from its every effect! Paraqleta means “a redeemer who ends the curse.”[2]
7. After reading those notes and definitions, how would you describe the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives?
David may have responded differently because he remembered what happened with Saul and wanted to ensure his life didn’t emulate that of his predecessor. But this week’s psalm (which we’ll dig into more tomorrow) points to his more profound concern:
May you never reject me!
May you never take from me your sacred Spirit!
More than simply being afraid of losing his kingship, David craved the Lord and was devastated that his wrongdoing could separate him from a relationship with his heavenly Father. And even out of horrifying sin, he could still turn back to God. The same is true for us: Even when we ignore the Holy Spirit’s promptings, we are never so far from Him that we cannot get back. He is calling us to return, to repent, to choose life. Will we listen?
The evil one’s voice of shame can be loud —but God is always, always calling us home. Are you struggling with sorrow, fear, shame, disappointment? Bring that to Him now. Let Him breathe life back into you as He spreads a cloak of forgiveness and love over your shoulders. Say yes to Him, no matter how much you feel like you don’t deserve another chance to live for Him:
Amen.