Bible Biographies: Saul
SCRIPTURE - 1 Samuel 9:2 - 31:12.
BIOGRAPHY
Saul was the first King of Israel, reigning for 40 years from 1096-1056 BC. He was
a Benjamite, being the son of Kish (1 Samuel 9:1,2). There is no record of him having
any brothers or sisters. Saul was a very handsome man and unusually tall being head
and shoulders above the men of Israel (1 Samuel 10:23). Prior to his meeting Samuel
while attempting to retrieve his father's asses, Israel had demanded a king to rule
over them (1 Samuel 8:19-22), to which God had agreed. Samuel anointed Saul as captain
over the men of Israel (1 Samuel 9:16). Initially Saul was successful in his exploits,
delivering Jabesh-gilead and defeating the Philistines. He was confirmed as King
at Gilgal (1 Samuel 11:15).
The turning point in his career was when he sacrificed and vowed foolishly (1 Samuel
13:8-10). Samuel secretly anointed David as the future king, and did not see Saul
again till the day of Saul's death. Saul tried to kill David. He slew the prophets
of Nob who had assisted David. David had two chances of murdering Saul but declined
(1 Samuel 24:4-7; 26:7-12). He consulted with the witch of Endor and had his last
meeting with the deceased Samuel who was brought back by God from Paradise, much
to everyone's surprise. Defeated at Gilboa, Saul suicided, leaving the way open
for David to become king.
EVALUATION
a) Saul began by putting the Lord first in his life:
i) He had physical superiority (1 Samuel 9:2).
ii) He was given the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 10:9-13).
iii) He was discreet (1 Samuel 10:27).
iv) He was generous (1 Samuel 11:12,13).
v) He had godly companions (1 Samuel 10:25,26).
b) He becomes impatient and proud:
i) He relied less and less on the advice of Samuel.
ii) Saul takes the priestly function which should have been Samuel's into his own
hand against the will of God (1 Samuel 13:8-13).
iii) As a result his kingdom did not flourish (1 Samuel 13:14).
iv) Saul issued a vow which Jonathan broke when he ate honey but under pressure
from the army he did not discipline Jonathan (1 Samuel 14).
v) Saul did not execute Agag the Amalekite (1 Samuel 15:9).
vi) Saul loses the Spirit of God (1 Samuel 16:14).
vii) His frustration caused him to kill the priests of Nob (1 Samuel 22:11-19).
viii) He turns to witchcraft at Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-20).
ix) He commits suicide to end his life (1 Samuel 31:4).
PRINCIPLES
a) Initial success and greatness in the spiritual life does not guarantee a rich
life in old age nor future achievement (1Kings 11:4).
b) Pride comes before a fall. True fulfillment in life comes from obedience to the
Lord (Proverbs 13:18; 8:13).
c) Rejection of godly advice can be disastrous for both an individual and his family
(Genesis 19:17,26).
d) The Lord's way must be followed otherwise there is discipline (cf. Moses and
the rock) (1 Kings 13:20-26).
e) Failure to apply biblical principles to a situation can cause disaster to a nation
(1 Chronicles 21:1-4).
f) It was possible in the Jewish dispensation to lose the Spirit of God (Psalm 51:11).
It is not possible for us in the Church dispensation to lose the Holy Spirit (John
14:16) -we either quench or grieve Him (1 Thessalonians 5:19; Ephesians 4:30).
g) The witch of Endor incident teaches us that Hades or Sheol is in the heart of
the earth.
h) Suicide is the final superimposition of man's will over God's will (Psalm 31:15).