3 minute read
The Rise and Fall of King Saul
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The story of King Saul begins with the people of Israel's rejection of the prophet Samuel's sons becoming the new leaders or judges of Israel following Samuel's death. Israel decides they want a king like the nations around them have.
God's choice for a new king is a young man by the name of Saul. This is an excellent choice for several reasons. "Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel… a mighty man of valor. And he had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people" (1 Samuel 9:1–2).
From this reference, we can see Saul has a great pedigree; he was from a great family. Saul was also gifted with natural attractiveness, so people wanted to be around him. He was healthy and without any bodily defect. He possessed the appearance of a leader, as he was both tall and commanding in stature.
Saul had an admirable personality. He was considerate and sensitive to the feelings of his parents. "When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, ‘Come, and let us return, lest my father ceases to be concerned about the donkeys and become anxious for us’" (v. 5).
Saul was not only respectful of his parents but of the commands of God as well. He was sent by his father on an errand to find missing donkeys. He sought out the prophet Samuel to get his counsel. A little later, Saul was granted the blessing of the Holy Spirit and became one of the prophets himself.
Perhaps the most important quality Saul possessed was humility. He was not conceited or self-important. When Samuel chose him to be the new king of Israel, "Saul answered and said, ‘Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?’" (v. 21). He considered himself of no importance and wondered why he was chosen.
On the day when Samuel announced Saul as the new king, "he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul, the son of Kish, was taken; but he could not be found when they looked for him. Therefore they inquired further of the LORD, ‘Has the man come here yet?’ So the Lord said, ‘Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage’" (10:21–22).
Saul's reign begins in a promising way. He follows God's counsel and the advice of Samuel. God grants him success in his battles against the Ammonites and victory over the Philistines. However, sometime afterward, pride and self-importance begin to replace his humility, and his personality begins to change.
The beginning of Saul's descent takes place as he becomes impatient with Samuel's delay in offering sacrifices to God. Saul decides to take upon himself the role of priest and offers the sacrifices himself, clearly violating God's directions (see 13:13). This is followed up by ignoring God's direct instructions concerning the punishment of Agag. Saul keeps him alive and keeps the best livestock as well (see 15:7–11).
From then on, the decline of King Saul is rapid. Because of his jealousy of David, he tries to kill him with his spear. When this is unsuccessful, he pursues him throughout the kingdom of Israel. He kills the priests of God because they offer assistance to David. Finally, he visits the witch at Endor to get advice.
What began with so much potential concludes with a sad ending. King Saul goes from humble to proud, patient to impatient, and selfless to jealous. This serves as a reminder to always give God the proper place in our lives. He is the one from whom all blessings flow, and it is our place to acknowledge and give worship to the true King over our lives.
By Gary Hodder,President Alberta Conference
