Paul Adefarasin, Founder and Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church–an elite assembly marooned in Lagos’ highbrow Lekki neighborhood, has defended a parable that has landed him in trouble online.
Young Netizens have been going after the debonair, suave pastor since he delivered a sermon in which he used the analogy of the Biblical Saul and David, ahead of Nigeria’s keenly contested Presidential election.
“Saul came before David. David did not come before Saul. Saul will come and David will come after,” he prophesied.
“And hold it for a moment…Saul was not all that bad. He actually started out as a Prophet. And he did a lot of good because he had half a heart. David had a whole heart. And it was necessary that he come after. So, bear that in mind.
“Saul will come, David will come after,” he reiterated.
The clergyman’s remarks have been interpreted as a tacit endorsement of the candidacy of Bola Tinubu of the governing APC, a septuagenarian who is not particularly liked by a large swathe of social media users.
Adefarasin has also been accused of hobnobbing with the governing, political elite in Lagos.
“Listen to your fav Plan B pastor, after all we suffered past 8 years. But we go disappoint am. So after all Saul did, it reach Nigerian Election, pastor said Saul wasn’t that bad. BTW, is BUHARI not Saul Enough? Did you see the Owo massacre?,” tweeted @webdreamcast.
Prominent lawyer Inibehe Effiong shared the following: “Dear Pastor @pauladefarasin, the Bible is not a secret book. Nigerians have raised many questions that you should answer. Your parable about the coming of Saul before David is insensitive to the mood of the nation.
“Pastor @pauladefarasin told his congregation that the elections may not go as they want it. That Saul has to come first before David. He said that Saul was not so bad. This type of message is very annoying. Is Buhari not “Saul” or worse than “Saul”? Have we not suffered enough?”
There are those who have risen to Pastor Adefarasin’s defense, however.
Like Kayode Ogundamisi who wrote: “The attacks on @pauladefarasin though?
“Omo, if power reach una hand peren! Una go make Mugabe + Abacha be shining example of Democrats!”
Social media influencer and marketer, Japheth Omojuwa says: “Pastor Paul Adefarasin and others like him who have been attacked by the mob should not take anything they say seriously. It’s all founded on blackmail. Just by declaring for their candidate, they’d swallow every word. In fact, you don’t even need to declare. Just tease them.
“What did Pastor Paul Adefarasin do? He chose to be neutral. There is no name they haven’t called him.”
Standing up for himself
In a series of tweets, the man at the center of it all has doubled down on his parable, while asking the mob to take a chill pill and not murder the messenger.
“Friends, you have kept me busy with your tweets, posts, and comments. Though many are harsh, I appreciate your feedback and I still want to take a minute to share my stance with you again, in the hope that you may gain a clearer understanding,” Adefarasin writes.
Listen to your fav Plan B pastor, after all we suffered past 8 years. But we go disappoint am. So after all Saul did, it reach Nigerian Election, pastor said Saul wasn't that bad. BTW, is BUHARI not Saul Enough? Did you see the Owo massacre? Dino Paul Adefarasin Kaduna even NTA pic.twitter.com/ATS1qcZj0s
— Mr. Dreamcast ✪ (@webdreamcast) February 19, 2023
“As with all of you, I identify as a Nigerian and a patriot, so undoubtedly, I share in your pain. Living in Nigeria, I share the desire for a working country and that is why we all consider this election critical in our collective quest for a New Nigeria.
“I really believe that it will happen, and I wish that you could see what I see – the hope that the parable of Saul and David brings – the after-victory. I understand that there are varying interpretations of the parable of Saul & David, and that is fine.
“However, remember that the giver of the parable is the One that can give meaning to it. God gave me that parable and even as I released it, I have continued to search for its applicable meaning to the present Nigerian circumstances.
“I feel blessed to have your ear, however, I will ask that you listen deeply for understanding, so that you do not miss the message.
“Saul, instead of trusting in God, tried to manipulate things and even discountenanced his mentor, Samuel. David on the other hand stumbled, but never stuttered, he was delayed but not too late.
“So, whether Saul represents our past or our present, only God knows. Whether David represents the future or now, I can’t tell. In any case, the ‘wise’ will wait for the election period to play itself out, before concluding or judging the messenger.
“Finally, kindly remember that I shepherd people of all parties, and if that parable was taken in offense, my intention was not to offend you.
“However, I stand by what I heard God say to me: that Saul came before David. This means that even if this election does not go the way that you want it to go, don’t be disappointed.
“Every election will produce some disappointment for the camps of the candidates who lose. God’s will shall still come to pass in Nigeria. It will happen and His ‘David’ will rise to the role. We will get there. Remember, we are all in this together.
“If you have your PVC, it is a token of your faith in a New Nigeria. Go out and vote as your convictions lead you, and watch God Almighty do what only He can do.”