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NASB | 2 Samuel 7:15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Samuel 7:15 "But My lovingkindness and mercy will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. |
Bible Question: 2 Samuel 7:15. Why does God not continue to love Saul despite his faults? I find it incredible that he withdraws his love from the one he chose to be king. I wonder why he promises not to stop loving David despite the adultery and murder he commits later, and yet he stopped loving Saul. This looks like favouritism. Why wasn’t God merciful towards Saul and why was he so favourable towards David? |
Bible Answer: G'day, Freddie! Don't forget that Israel asked for a king. Remember back in 1 Samuel 8:5 they asked for a king. A king like the kings that judged the other nations. What did they get? A king just like the other nations had: selfish, vain, greedy, prideful, oppressive. God even graciously told Israel what kind of king they were wanting (1 Samuel 8:9-18). But they insisted (1 Samuel 8:19-20). So, that's exactly what they got! Saul was not the "man of God's own choosing." He was the man of Israel's choosing. So, what do we see after Saul? God chooses David. What a contrast! (1 Samuel3:14) So don't judge God's motives, Freddie. We know He is loving, sovereign, holy, righteous, powerful, and wise. Knowing these things -- i.e., taking into account the other things that Scripture reveals -- look instead at 2 Samuel 7:15 as a blessed insight into God's eternal purpose. You might compare what is stated here in Samuel with Paul's statement in Acts 13:21-22. In Him, Doc "One said the other day, 'I hate that text which says, "Jacob I loved, but Esau have I hated.'" 'Why?' said a friend; 'what is the difficulty to your mind?' The reply was, 'I cannot see why God should hate Esau.' 'Nay,' said our friend, 'I am not at all surprised that God hated Esau, but I am greatly amazed that God loved Jacob.'" --Charles H. Spurgeon |