Cain and David a comparison
By: Rody Chesser
2 Samuel 11:27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her [Bathsheba] to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
The Bible tells us that God was displeased with what David had done. But God was pleased with David.
Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
The Bible tells us that God did not have respect unto Cain or his offering.
Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
What is the difference between these two men? They both sinned, however God accepts one and rejects the other. Here is a very important lesson from scripture. The answer lies in the men's reactions to the revelation of their sin. Let's analyze Cain's reaction to his sin.
- When God confronted Cain, he did not change.
Genesis 4:6-7 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
- God then sent Cain a prophet (God's Word calls Abel a prophet Luke 11:50-51) to confront him and Cain killed the prophet.
Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
- When God confronted Cain with the murder of Abel, he lied to God.
Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
- There was no confession of sin or repentance on Cain's part. He was sorry for his punishment and whined that it was too much to bear.
Genesis 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
- Cain went out from the presence of the Lord.
Genesis 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
David on the other hand has a different reaction to God's confrontation with his sin.
- David did not change for many months after his sin with Bathsheba.
- God sent Nathan to David and he heeded the prophet.
2 Samuel 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.
- David openly confessed his sin.
Psalms 51:1-4 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
- David accepted the consequences for his sin and was broken over it.
Psalms 32:1-5 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 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.
- David begged God not to remove his presence from David.
Psalms 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
We see that Cain was not repentant nor was he broken for his sin. He never confessed his sin or admitted any wrong. He lied to God and tried to cover his sin by saying he did not know where Abel was. He went away from the presence of God.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
David, on the other hand listened to God and confessed his sin. He was broken over it and ran toward God for forgiveness and cleansing. He knew that he was dirty and needed God's cleansing.
God was displeased with the deed David did, but God was pleased with David. However, God rejected Cain. The New Testament tells us this regarding Cain.
1 John 3:11-12 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
Will you trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ and be made righteous in God's eyes? Will you live a life of repentance and faith? Will you confess your sin to God and run to him when you fail? Will you accept responsibility for your actions?
