Vol III: #7 Poor Saul
Israel wanted a king. They begged for it and were given Saul. The Benjamite met the prophet Samuel while searching for lost donkeys. And, Samuel tabbed him as the anointed-to-be king. The moment had to be surreal for the farm boy. He went from searching for lost livestock to king. That’s one helluva promotion. Can you imagine? The cashier at your local gas station appointed to governor? What if your neighbor across the street suddenly became a Senator? Exactly. Saul’s selection as king is that wild, if not more so.
The context for Saul’s rise began during the time of the Judges. (The Book of Judges is one of the most brutal in scripture which is why one verse is repeated through its chapters: In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.) Israel worshipped foreign gods, divided themselves politically, and suffered defeat after defeat to its enemies. The people wanted security, and rather than love and live before the Lord, begged for a king. The right king would protect the nation, unite the tribes, and enforce the law.
Kings and politicians don’t have a hard job. Keep the people safe, keep them feed and hopeful, and win your battles. Saul was faced with a tough set of challenges when he took the crown, but won the loyalty of the people when he defeated the Ammonites. Soon, he was loved and honored and began to love being honored and adored. He developed a habit of appeasing the people and did not have “a heart after the Lord.” Saul did what was right in his own eyes, like the Judges before him. It’s why we needed David.
In modern terms, Saul was a populist who’s primary concern was to hold onto the power he was given. The crazy detail of Saul’s life was how often he was called out by David and the prophet Samuel. On each occasion, Saul weeps, declares his error, and goes back to being king. And though he was contrite, Saul never fully repented from his way or thinking or behavior. Sadly, Saul uses a witch to conjure Samuel and dies in battle shortly after.
The Bible has many such stories of fallen heroes and I often wonder “what if?” What if Saul had truly repented and forgiven his enemies? What if Adam and Eve repented? Ultimately, what if I repent? And, I think that’s part of my story. I truly believe in repentance, that I don’t have to fall into the same traps and pits until I die.
But, there’s a bigger takeaway.
Saul didn’t just miss being a great king, he missed the opportunity to have a great relationship with the Lord. Saul and David had some many similarities at the start, but it was how they approached the Lord that made a huge difference. It’s a difference I see over and over in my life and when I read the Bible. It’s not about talent, family history, or education. Greatness in life comes from our commitment to running after Jesus.
