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Those Bleating Sheep

1 Samuel 15:13-14 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What [meaneth] then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

Saul thought he could assert his obedience to God on the basis of his good word but the bleating sheep gave him away. Samuel didn't buy the King's assertion of good intentions, self-justification, blame shifting or feigned repentance. To Samuel's dismay, Saul's repudiation of guilt added to his crime and confirmed the rebelliousness of his heart. In fact, I'm tempted (but not quite ready) to say that his original failings became more excusable than the means used to hide them.

Saul's deceitful response when confronted with sin stands in sharp contrast to that of his successor, King David.

2 Sam. 12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

Blame shifting, deciet, and self-justification are completely absent in this answer. In confessing his sin, David takes full responsibility for his poor decisions, immorality and murderous actions, and puts his trust in God's grace, which was the only means of redemption.

Ps. 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

While both Kings suffered the consequences of their actions, subsequently Saul lived a life of inner torment while David proceeded forward with joy and hope.

Posted by tim at December 19, 2005 3:21 PM

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