For David's Sake

1 Kings 15:4 KJV

Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

Chapters fifteen and sixteen of first Kings presents a contrast between the legacy of David and that of Jeroboam. Because of David's faithfulness before the Lord (not perfection, he was not that) God preserved his family for David's sake even when a particular offspring departed from the faith. David's legacy protected his lineage for generations, even centuries.

On the other hand, Jeroboam's sin resulted in not only his own demise but that of his offspring. Just one of his sons sat on the throne and he was killed along with all of his family and friends. God's hand protected David's family for David's sake but was removed from Jeroboam's family for Jeroboam's sake.

We never fully see the rewards of a heart after God.

• There might be, perhaps a child who goes off into worldliness or worse
• There could be a generation that has apparently forsaken the Lord

But I am reminded that the records aren't tallied yet. The Bible says that our faithfulness to God sanctifies the home. Perhaps a generation or two later, as in the case of Asa, we find the fruit of righteousness spring up in the family once again.

Faithfulness to the Lord never goes unrewarded. The reward may not appear plainly to us this side of eternity but that is all right. When we have a heart after God we aren't really seeking any rewards this side of heaven anyway.