Life Learning Series

David was the first king of Israel that was given independent responsibility, and that, therefore, was allowed to fail or succeed, in the ways of man. The prior king, who is generally accepted as being the first king of Israel, was not allowed to make independent decisions about how to proceed. We will see, in a moment, why David is the first king to be given a chance to exercise independent initiative. For now, let us consider the sort of restriction that was placed on the first generally accepted king of Israel, Saul.

Initially, it seems that Saul had free reign:

Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

(1 Samuel 13:1-3)

However, though there was an initial surge of potentiality; his adversary’s preparation and his adversary’s reputation powerfully quenched the kingly fire of confrontation.

– Explore The Fullness of David: Part Three –

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When we paused, we shared information on the absence of a gifted privilege of receiving a negative response, as from the LORD. (Yes, sometimes, people do look for the gift of a negative action from God.)

The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying, What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

(Ezekiel 18:1-4)

Let us go further, and take note of a time of absence of a gifted privilege of receiving a positive response, as from the LORD. The gift, in this case, is life, and it must be retained by moving in accordance with righteousness.

But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.

(Ezekiel 18:5-9)

Moreover, let us take note of the absence of a gifted privilege of passing on to another person a like-kind weight of responsibility, as from the LORD.

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– The Fullness of David: Part Two –