Saul
The first king of Israel has one of the most depressing life stories in history. His was a story of the humble being raised to leadership. His life was endowed with promise. Saul, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, was a tragic character, and his life is overflowing with example after example of things that one should NOT do.
Of course, the life of Saul was not all failure and lost potential. He was king of Israel. He did lead his country to victories in battle, and he sired a fine son named Jonathan. Unfortunately, Saul’s departure from integrity came pretty early in his reign as king, so we do not have much testimony on the good stuff he was able to accomplish. What we understand is a young man was found hiding among baggage in the caravan at his confirmation as King of Israel turned into an arrogant ruler, suspicious of many and never following the word of God except out of selfishness. A young man who followed in the steps of a great judge, Samuel, and proclaimed as “the man the Lord has chosen,” turned his back on the way of Samuel and rejected God’s statutes.
Why? Why should this senselessness persist in Saul? Why did a life with such potential see such waste and end in misery and failure?
The early chapters of the first book of Samuel chronicle several of the actions King Saul took to unite Israel. According to his own words, Saul desired to honor God, seeking his counsel through Samuel. But his actions often did not support the attitude portrayed in his words. In one account, it is written that Saul made sacrifices as king instead of waiting for Samuel, in so doing, breaking God’s commandment. The reason for this breach? In Saul’s own words, “ the men were scattering,” and “the Philistines were assembling.” Saul feared man. This was a major fault in his character and One that had drastic consequences on his life.
In the 15th chapter of First Samuel, we read about why God rejected Saul as king of Israel. In another pathetic move, Saul directly disobeys the word of the Lord. Through Samuel, God’s ever-present guide to Saul, the word of the Lord was giving to Saul before a battle with the Amalekites. God had intentions to punish this nation for what they had done to the Israelites after the exodus from Egypt (read Exodus 17 for more details). Saul was instructed to “totally destroy all that belongs to them.” Death was proclaimed for all of Amalek, and even their livestock was not to escape. Unfortunately, Saul did not follow this explicit instruction. He allowed Agag, king of the Amalekites, to live along with the “best of the sheep and cattle.” God saw this disobedience and spoke with Samuel, his faithful judge, saying, “I regret that I have made Saul king because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Note to Self: NEVER be the reason God says, “I regret”!
The very next day, Samuel went to meet with Saul, but Saul had left for Carmel, where he “set up a monument in his honor.” Come on! I must believe that Samuel’s ears were smoking at this point. The Bible says that he was angry. I say that is an understatement. Samuel catches up with Saul, who tells the old judge that he had carried out the Lord’s instructions. Samuel pointed out the sounds of livestock that he heard, and Saul was forced to admit that they had preserved the best of the Amalekites. Samuel then confronts Saul with his sin, with his disobedience. But rather than repenting, Saul defends his actions. He says, “I did obey the Lord.” In Saul’s mind, he had followed God’s instructions because he had destroyed everything except that which was the best to be later used as a sacrifice. But Saul’s actions were disobedience to Samuel and, more importantly, to God. As Samuel explained to Saul, “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
Samuel announces the judgment by informing Saul that God has “rejected you as king.” At this point, Saul’s attitude changes, and he acknowledges his sin and enlightens us to the reason behind his departure from God’s instruction. “I was afraid of the men, so I gave into them.” Saul had his excuses. But he was undone by his fear of men. Once again, instead of genuinely seeking God’s forgiveness, he requests Samuel to come back with him to Gilgal so that Saul might be “honored before the elders” and the people of Israel. How far the chosen had fallen.
The remainder of Saul’s life was rolled out as an epic tragedy. His reign as king was doomed to failure; he was haunted by evil spirits that caused him much mental anguish and, unable to speak with God or his judge, Saul visited sorcerers and mediums for guidance. He ended his life, along with the lives of his three sons, in a battle with the Philistines. Saul fell on his sword and killed himself due to his fear of “these uncircumcised fellows” abusing him.
Saul’s life is depressing for sure, but it is captured in the Old Testament for a reason. We must understand the dangers that prevent the chosen from accomplishing their destiny in God’s will. There are ways to stop even the elect, purposefully called by God. You, even as a child of God, can be stopped from accomplishing what God has intended for your life — fearing man more than God is undoubtedly a way to keep God’s people from accomplishing His will. Not honoring the precepts of God and not following as He instructs is another way. Vain self-glory is another danger. There are plenty more. The One Saul’s life truly displays, likely the most significant threat, is not loving the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength. Saul never considered God - his God. In all his life story, we never see Saul talking with God. We never see him truly repenting to God or accepting God’s instruction directly. He always relied on another to speak to the Lord. He would not love God, and because of this, he would not follow God.
Christian, understand that you were made for a purpose. You were called by design, and your life has a reason. God intends to use you for great things, but God’s intention does not guarantee you will live that purposeful life. God’s calling on your life does not ensure you will ever even start the thing He has for you to do. You have a say in this matter. You must endeavor to follow as the Lord directs. Accomplishing the purpose of God in your life is not done while fearing men or living in sin. Seeking selfish gain and glory will not accomplish God’s plan. It is only through submission to Him, adherence to His statutes, and a true loving fellowship with the One who called you that you will accomplish that perfect purpose that He personally designed for you before time began.
1 Samuel