1 Samuel 9:1-2; 15:17-24, Characteristics of Saul

Both Saul and David were chosen by God and anointed by Samuel.  But it is clear that God’s choice of Saul was a matter of giving the people what they asked for.  Let us consider the qualities that made him stand out, and that contributed to his failure.

Saul was impressive physically, more handsome and taller than anyone in Israel (9:2).  He was modest (9:21), and extremely shy (9:21-23).  At first, he ignored his detractors (10:26-27).  Even Samuel was initially impressed with Saul (11:12-15). 

Given a good start, why did Saul fail?

·       13:8-12: He was impatient and self-willed, taking on himself the responsibility of the priesthood.

·       13:12-13: He was dishonest and did not trust God. 

·       14:28,44: He was prone to make displays of his supposed righteousness.  For example, he required the army to fast on a day of battle.  When Jonathan violated Saul’s oath Saul was determined to carry out the execution of his son in order to show that he was faithful to his word.

·       15:3-23: He was partially obedient, and thus disobedient.  Destroying the Amalekites was a big deal, something God said He would do in the time of Moses.

·       13:12; 15:24: He made excuses for disobedience.  He did not submit to God’s rebuke spoken through Samuel.

·       16:14: The Holy Spirit came upon Saul from the beginning (10:10).  In OT times God would do this in certain situations.  Unlike life under the New Covenant, the Spirit did not indwell all the righteous.  He would come on certain people to enable them to do the work of God.  In Saul’s case God withdrew His Spirit and sent an evil spirit instead. 

·       18:8: He was self-centered. Compare Saul’s evaluation of his life in 26:21 (I have played the fool and erred exceedingly) with Paul’s in Phil. 1:21 (For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.)

·       22:8: He was conceited.  He complained that no one felt sorry for him.

·       22:17: He killed the priests of the LORD.  Saul’s taking on himself the duties of the priest and the failure to destroy the Amalekites were decisive in losing the kingdom.  But killing 85 priests was the most insidious action of his reign.

·       31:4: He essentially died by suicide.

Saul’s reign was a tragic failure.  The bottom line was that he failed to allow God to rule Israel through him.  Israel was and is God’s treasured nation, the people He chose above all other nations.  Thus, the ideal king is one who is submitted to and obedient to God in all things.  Remember (Deut. 17:18-20), Israel’s king was to be a man of the word of God, immersed in the Book of the Law.  Saul was not that man!  He showed no interest in being that man.