SAUL-ISRAEL'S FIRST KING, THE MAN WHO LOST A KINGDOM
Israel’s First King
For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you [Saul] have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.
1 SAMUEL 15:23
Most notable quality: Strong outward appearance
Most notable accomplishment: Keeps the kingdom unified
Date lived: 70 years (reigned 40 years, from 1051 B.C. to 1011 B.C.)
Name: Saul, meaning “asked”
Major text: 1 Samuel 9–31
CLICK HERE TO READ THE BIBLE VERSES/CHAPTERS THAT MENTIONED SAUL
Bare Bones Background
The tiny nation of Israel is on the upswing. The prophet Samuel has led the country into spiritual renewal. His prayers and commitment to God have inspired the people to defeat an invading force of Philistines. Now the people are feeling a sense of national pride and want a change. They believe that a king would give them an advantage in battle. They reject Samuel’s corrupt sons as their leaders and ask for a human king, like those of the nations around them. Samuel is annoyed, not for himself, but for the honor of God. Up until now, Israel had been led by God through judges. But God tells Samuel to give the people their king. Samuel is charged with anointing the nation’s first king, a 30-year-old man by the name of Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin.
Quick Sketch
Saul is just what the people want—a physically imposing man who stands head and shoulders above all others. After his coronation, he achieves early military victories that solidify his support among the people. But all too soon, Saul begins to collapse under the pressure of leadership. This breakdown comes because of Saul’s inability to trust God and an unwillingness to obey God. Samuel tries to work with Saul. It wasn’t that Saul couldn’t get things right, it was that he wouldn’t do things right. God rejects Saul as ruler, but Saul continues to rule, going on to reign for a total of 40 years. A bright spot in Saul’s life is his oldest son, Jonathan, who became a close friend and defender of David. Jonathan is a stabilizing force both in the palace and on the battlefield. In the end, Saul and three of his sons, including Jonathan, die in a battle against the Philistines. With their king dead, the army flees from the battlefield in defeat.
The Big Picture
Saul’s beginnings as king—1 Samuel 9–12
The smallest tribe of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, provides the first king for Israel. Saul is around 30 years old and in charge of caring for his father’s land and herds. While out searching for lost livestock, Saul is met and anointed as king by Samuel, who had been told the day before, by God, that Saul was the man God had appointed as king. Saul passes his first military test by defeating an invading army of Ammonites. Taking advantage of Saul’s popularity, Samuel calls the people together and challenges them to renew their covenant with God.
Saul’s acts of disobedience—1 Samuel 13; 15
In Saul’s second year as king, Israel is again threatened, this time by the Philistines, who have a much larger military force made up of chariots, horsemen, and soldiers. Saul endeavors to rally the men to battle, and a meager 3000 men respond to his call. Earlier, Samuel had directed Saul to meet
him in seven days so that Samuel could offer sacrifices to the Lord. On the seventh day, Samuel had not arrived. Fearing potential defeat as more and more men are lost to desertion, Saul determines to offer the sacrifice himself, even though he is not a priest. Soon Samuel arrives and condemns Saul for
acting “foolishly” (verse 13) and announces that Saul’s family would not be allowed to continue his kingdom dynasty.
Samuel next sends Saul to wipe out a group called the Amalekites, along with all their herds. Against God’s command, Saul allows their king to live and keeps some of their cattle and other valuables as spoil. When confronted by Samuel, Saul first lies and says he had planned to offer the cattle up for sacrifices. Then he excuses himself by pleading that his fear of the people of Israel caused him to act this way.
Finally, Saul admits that he has sinned against the Lord, and asks that his sin be kept secret. Instead of giving a humble confession before the nation, Saul asks Samuel to “honor me” before the people (1 Samuel 15:30). He is again rebuked by Samuel.
Saul’s instability—1 Samuel 16:14–31
With the rejection of Saul and the anointing of David, the Spirit of God departs from Saul and a dark spirit comes upon him. He becomes jealous of David, who is now one of his officers, and tries to kill him. David flees for his life. In his paranoia, Saul fears David and makes numerous attempts to
kill him. Near the end of his life, with Samuel now dead and silence from God, Saul goes to a spirit medium for answers. To the surprise of the medium, Samuel’s spirit miraculously appears and informs Saul that his disobedience will lead to his and his sons’ deaths the next day in battle. Just as predicted by the spirit of Samuel, Saul and his three oldest sons die the next day.
The Portrait
The life of Saul is a sad illustration of the consequences of unrepentant sin. When we first meet Saul, he is a physically impressive man. After his anointing, the Spirit of God came upon him and he initially enjoyed success. But then he began to make bad decisions, blaming others for his actions and acting out of fear and self-interest. Then when he was confronted, he refused to repent. As a result, God withdrew His blessing and Spirit from Saul. Now spiritually adrift, Saul plunged further into jealousy, fear, paranoia, disobedience, and ultimately, suicide—Saul’s final expression of his faithless condition.
Life Lessons from Saul
- Saul’s life shows the importance of inner character. From all outward appearances, Saul looked the part of a king, but inwardly, Saul had numerous character flaws. Saul’s life reminds you not to be obsessed with your outward appearance. Instead, be obsessed with developing your inner person, your character. Spend time reading God’s Word and asking God to eliminate any bad habits in your life and, in their place, instill good ones.
- Saul’s life shows the importance of obedience. Saul was unwilling to do things God’s way. He always had a better idea and, when confronted, he always had excuses or justifications for his wrong actions. God doesn’t want your excuses or your rationalizations. Are there any areas of your life in which you are failing to submit to God’s rule? God wants complete obedience—give it to Him now!
- Saul’s life shows the importance of confession. Saul’s downfall began with unconfessed sin. Confession is agreeing with God that you have fallen short of His perfect standard in some way. Don’t let sin get a foothold in your life. Your continued usefulness to a holy God requires that you are continually confessing your sins.
More Facts About Saul
- First king of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin
- Lived 70 years
- Father: Kish
- Wife: Ahinoam
- Sons: Jonathan, Abinadab (Ishva), Malkishua, Ish-Bosheth
- Daughters: Merab, Michal (David’s first wife)
======
SAUL, SHAUL [Sôul]—ASKED FOR or DEMANDED.
1. The son of Kish, and first king of Israel (I Samuel 9–11).
A Man Who Lost His Kingdom
No man among Bible men had so many chances thrust upon him to make a success of life, and no man ever so missed them. Saul not only missed great opportunities, he deliberately abused them. His sun rose in splendor, but set in a tragic night. The downgrade of his life is the old familiar story of pride, egotism and the abuse of power leading to moral degradation and ruin.
Here are the steps down the ladder:
- He was a man anointed and filled with the Spirit. (I Samuel 11:6).
- In his early years he was humble and practiced self-control (I Samuel 10:22; 10:27; 11:13).
- Self-will restricted his influence (I Samuel 13:12, 13).
- He became disobedient and was guilty of rash vows (I Samuel 15:11–23).
- Jealousy prompted him to hunt and harm David (I Samuel 18:8; 19:1).
- He patronized the superstition he had forbidden (I Samuel 28:7).
- Wounded in battle, he ended up a suicide (I Samuel 31:4).
- Having already destroyed his moral life, he ultimately destroyed his physical life. Saul’s sad story is repeated almost daily.
Comments
Post a Comment