Q. Why did David have to wait to take over the throne from Saul? Did it have anything to do with Atonement and sins of David's fathers? A. David suffered most of his life because of his own sins (adultery with Bathsheba, murder of Uriah her husband, and generally not disciplining his children). However, the long waiting to become king of Israel had little to do with the sins of his fathers. Rather, before God blesses someone or gives them authority of any kind, He tests them over a period of time to see if they will be worthy of the blessing or calling. God looks on the heart of man and not on the outward appearance as people generally do (1 Samuel 16:7). As near as we can tell, from the time that Samuel anointed David king until the time he was actually inducted into office, there was a period of at least seven years. During that time, God tested David, who was almost continually taunted and harassed by Saul. God eventually concluded that He should not have chosen Saul to be king over Israel because Saul was not obedient to God's commands. Though David continued to have many trials during his lifetime, he became the greatest king of Israel, ruling for forty (40) years, and will eventually rule over the twelve tribes of Israel in the coming new world under Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 37:21-24). And each of the twelve apostles will likewise rule over one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the coming new world (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:28-30). | 