Our text reports when God gave King Saul his last chance. He came to the throne as a result of Israel wanting a king like all the other nations. They were concerned about appearances on the world stage. God gave them exactly what they wanted. Their first king stood head and shoulders above everyone else. By first appearance he seemed like the royalty they wanted. However, Saul lacked the disposition and character to hold that role. It was a tragic story that we can take to heart so that we do not follow his example. Saul did not just commit mistakes. Multiple times he disobeyed God for his own sake.
He fooled himself into thinking that whatever he decided to do was acceptable. The king wasted opportunities to prove he was the right man for the job. We may have a salvation experience with God, but beyond that we must make sure we are up to the task for whatever opportunity God gives us. We cannot take our salvation for granted. We cannot ignore natural consequences of our bad decisions and choices.
God viewed Israel’s desire to have a king as an insult. (1 Samuel 10: 19) When it came time for Saul to be selected as the king, he already showed his true worth. Scripture says that he was hiding among “the stuff.” I looked up that word in Hebrew and tried to examine any alternative for its definition. It only says Saul was hiding among stuff, whatever that could have been. (1 Samuel 10: 22)
Why would a man of character and future purpose by God be hiding in the midst of miscellaneous things? From the beginning that was Saul’s problem. He had no substance to his personality. He had the appearance that would please Israel. That is all they wanted to appear like all the other nations. Even so, from the beginning Saul had his opponents who disagreed with him being king. (1 Samuel10: 27) As far as God was concerned, Israel had committed a great sin in asking for a king. (1 Samuel 12:17) The next verse confirms that the people of Israel did recognize they had committed a sin in asking for a king, but it was too late.
Jonathan was Saul’s son. He won a victory over the Philistines with Saul taking credit for the win. His military influence among the people was sorely lacking because even the people that followed him trembled. (1 Samuel 13:7) Call it Saul’s impatience or egotism or both, he did not wait for Samuel to come so that sacrifice may be offered. Instead, he offered a sacrifice himself.
Saul was deluded by his own authority in making a sacrifice. He is an example of those people who seeking excuses for their wrong decisions. He blamed Samuel for not coming when Saul thought he should arrive. Then he blamed the people saying they pressured him. He explained it because the Philistines were nearby to do battle, he, “forced himself” to make the sacrifice. Just like an alcoholic, everyone else was to blame but the alcoholic. He was a victim of everybody else. What a shallow and phony man, he was!
It was at this point that God explained Saul truly missed an opportunity. Already after only two years of being king God tore away any royal future that he could’ve had by saying, “… He sought a man after his own heart.” We must be so careful not to miss the opportunities God has for us. From that very moment, his future was sealed.
Several times Jonathan confessed the failures of his own father even hiding his own military prowess. (1 Samuel 14:1) Saul demonstrated how foolish and impetuous he was by demanding that his people not eat or drink anything until the enemy be avenged. Jonathan was not aware of this edict and did eat. Again, Saul’s poor leadership was demonstrated when he felt obligated to punish his own son, but the people objected and demanded Jonathan be spared. How shallow he was by making foolish claims. We must be careful about making impetuous statements before God because he will hold us to the vow we make. (Ecclesiastes 5: 4,5)
Saul continued being wayward in obedience to God. In one occasion, he said that he had sinned because he feared the people. Regardless of his admission he asked to be pardoned for his sin. He was rejected this other time because he rejected the word of the Lord. In a panic, he grabbed Samuel’s garment and tore it. The prophet’s reply was in the same way his garment was torn, so has God torn the kingdom from him. (1 Samuel 15: 23-35)
Saul’s life went further downhill more and more while committing other grievous sins as later recorded in this book of Samuel. God has given us opportunities in life. We must be careful not to waste them.
Christian Writer 