The Sins of Saul and David (Christmas)

When Samuel fails to arrive on the appointed day, Saul offers the sacrifice in his place and goes out to battle with the people. David sees a woman from the rooftop and sends for her. He then has her husband put to death, and, still blind to his own sin, passes exactly the right judgment on the sin of another.

What Saul did was no mistake. God had ordained that only the priests might offer sacrifice, and Saul set that law aside on his own judgment. In doing so he trespassed on the place that belongs to God alone, and that is blasphemy. David’s sins of adultery and murder were greater still, yet the moment he heard Nathan’s words he admitted his wrong and turned back.

God forgave David, but Saul he did not forgive. Sins against people are pardoned, but the sin of defying the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, neither in this age nor in the age to come. And yet God brought Jesus Christ into the world from the line of David. The reason lies in God’s character: he keeps his covenant regardless of human sin.