1 Samuel 13
Augustine of Hippo · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
1 Samuel 13:14
You ask, "Why did the Lord, undoubtedly having foreknowledge of the future, say 'I choose David according to my own heart,' although this very man committed such serious sins?" As a matter of fact, if we understand this statement concerning David himself, who was king of Israel after Saul had been condemned and slain, it was especially because God has foreknowledge of the future that he foresaw in him such great holiness and such true repentance, that he numbered him among those of whom he himself said, "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one to whom the Lord has not imputed sin." Therefore, since God foreknew that he would sin and would wash his sins away by holy humility, why should he not say, "I have found David according to my own heart?" He was not going to impute sin to him who was doing so many good acts and living in such great holiness and by this same holiness offering the sacrifice of a contrite spirit for his sins. For all these reasons, it has very truthfully been said, "I have found David according to my heart." For, although the fact that he sinned was not according to God's heart, the fact that he atoned for his sins with a fitting penitence was according to God's heart. Only this, then, in him was not according to God's heart, which God did not impute [David's sins] to him. So, when this has been removed, that is, has not been imputed, what remains but that it be very truthfully said, "I have found David according to my own heart"? — EIGHT QUESTIONS OF DULCITIUS 5
1 Samuel 13:14
In the same vein, take the words Samuel said to Saul.… These words are not to be taken to mean that God had intended for Saul himself to reign forever and subsequently had decided otherwise on account of Saul's sins (for God knew Saul was going to sin). They mean merely that God had planned for him to have such a kingdom as would typify an everlasting kingdom. Hence the added precision: "But your kingdom shall not continue."The kingdom which Saul's kingdom symbolized has continued and will continue—but not for Saul; for neither was he personally destined to rule forever, nor was even his progeny after him (at least in the sense of his blood successors following one after another) to make good the pledge "forever." — City of God 17.6