When God punished Israel with other nations, did his mercy depart from them?
No. Even though God brought other nations to punish Israel and put them under their control, Scripture says His mercy would not depart away from him. The promise is applied first to Solomon and then to the whole nation of Israel, whom God had taken from Saul.
Les explains that God told David that even though He would bring other nations to punish Israel and place them under their control, His mercy would not depart away from him. He notes this goes back to Solomon and also applies to the whole nation of Israel, as God took it from Saul. Saul was an unbeliever and was put away before God, but the promise of mercy continued. God then looks down through time and promises David's house, kingdom, and throne will be established forever, ultimately fulfilled when the Messiah, the Eternal Son of God, comes to be King over this kingdom.
But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
More Questions
Will God's mercy ever depart from Israel after he disciplines them?
Even when God has to discipline disobedient Israel by bringing other nations to downtrod them and perhaps disperse them, his mercy will not depart from them.