Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 11
Saul was Israel’s first king, but he chose not to obey God. The situation became so bad that God told Samuel to appoint David to be Israel’s next king. In the end, Saul became so jealous of David that Saul tried to kill him on several occasions.
David, on the other hand, would not kill Saul or even hurt him (1 Samuel chapter 26). David respected Saul greatly; he did not try to become king while Saul remained alive. David’s reason was simply that God had appointed Saul to rule Israel. David did not believe that, even in these extraordinary circumstances, Saul’s right to rule Israel had ended.
A person might, as Saul did, ruin his own relationship with God because of his evil deeds. However, that person’s evil deeds do not change the work that God has given that person to do. When God has chosen someone, he does not change his mind. That person still has the duty to do what God wants him to do.
God made promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob about the future of their family. Those promises cannot change (Jeremiah 31:35-37). Their family became the nation called Israel. God chose Israel’s people to be his special people (Isaiah 44:1-5) and to declare his message to the world (2:17-20). That task does not change. Some of them have not obeyed God, but that does not change God’s decision (compare Romans 3:3-4). If they continue in their evil behaviour, God’s judgement will certainly be against them (2:8-11). However, God will still carry out his promise; he will certainly rescue Israel (11:26). Zechariah describes the day when the nation will suddenly turn back to God (Zechariah 12:7 to 13:1).
Next part: God's mercy to people from different nations (Romans 11:30)
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