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Welcome to Going in Grace, a podcast where we go beyond simply understanding God's Word—we explore how to live it out daily, making a meaningful impact in our lives and the lives of those around us.
Welcome to Going in Grace, a podcast where we go beyond simply understanding God's word. We explore how to live it out daily, making a meaningful impact in our lives and the lives of those around us. Let's tune in to this week's episode.
This week, we are beginning a series entitled Lessons to Learn. 1 Corinthians 10:11 says, "now all these things happen to them as examples and they were written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the ages have come." We see that the stories we have in scripture are here to help us. So let's dig into several less discussed figures within the scriptures to learn from them.
Today, we're looking at the complex life of King Saul, the first king of Israel. Saul was called to leadership. Each of us is called to leadership, even if we are only leading ourselves and our own decision-making at this time. Saul's story is both inspiring and sobering. He started with promise, but ended in tragedy. If we're willing to learn from his life, we can avoid the same pitfalls and walk in greater wisdom. Romans 15:4 says, "for whatever things were written before were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Saul's life is a cautionary tale, but it's also a mirror. It shows us what happens when we prioritize image over intimacy and control over obedience. Let's explore the good, the bad, and the lessons we can carry forward.
It's worth noting that Saul didn't choose himself. God chose him. Saul didn't push himself into the limelight. And in fact, in the beginning, he hid from it. Let's see more about it. In 1 Samuel 10:1, it says,
"Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over his inheritance?" Now let's see how he responds to all this. In 1 Samuel 10:20-22, it says, "and when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired of the Lord further, has the man come here yet? And the Lord answered, there he is, hidden among the equipment."
Saul was tall, impressive and favored, but initially he hid. He had leadership potential and divine backing. Early on, he showed humility and even restraint. 1 Samuel 10:27 says, "but some rebel said, how can this man save us? So they despised him and brought him no presence, but he held his peace." Lesson one from Saul is that God will elevate us when it's time and we don't need to hide. We are who God says we are. God's calling is not based on perfection, but on purpose. Saul was chosen despite his flaws and so are we.
Saul's turning point came when he chose partial obedience over full surrender. 1 Samuel 15:17-23 says, "so Samuel said, when you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel? Now the Lord sent you on a mission and said, go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed. Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil and do evil in the sight of the Lord? And Saul said to Samuel, but I have obeyed the voice of the Lord and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me and brought back Agag king of Amalek. I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites, but the people took of the plunder sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal. So Samuel said, Has the Lord is great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he also has rejected you from being king."
Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock despite God's clear command. He justified it. He spiritualized it. But God made it clear these actions were rebellion. Lesson two from the life of Saul is obedience is not optional. It's foundational. Partial obedience is still disobedience. Saul's leadership was plagued by insecurity. He feared people more than he feared God. 1 Samuel 15:24 says, "Then Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words because I feared the people and obeyed their voice."
He constantly compared himself to David, tried to control outcomes and ultimately lost his peace. 1 Samuel 18:5-9 says, "so David went out wherever Saul sent him and behaved wisely and Saul said him over the men of war and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants. Now it happened as they were coming home when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistines, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing to meet King Saul with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. So the women sang as they danced and said, Saul has slain his thousands and David his 10,000s. Then Saul was very angry and the saying displeased him. And he said, they have ascribed to David 10,000s and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom? So Saul eyed David from that day forward."
David was a faithful servant of King Saul. He knew he was anointed the next king of Israel, but he in no way usurped the current king. He submitted to his leadership and instructions including risking his life on many battlefields to the honor of the current king. Lesson three is, insecurity leads to instability. When we lead from fear, we lose clarity, authority, and spiritual grounding. Remember, we are who we are because God makes us who we are. Settle down, relax, follow God. Romans 8:31 tells us, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Let's take Saul's story and turn it into wisdom that we can walk out. First, let's stay rooted in obedience. Don't negotiate with God's instructions. Follow them exactly and swiftly. Cultivate humility. Saul started humble, but grew proud. We have to stay teachable and dependent on God. Guard your heart from comparison. Saul's jealousy of David destroyed him. Celebrate others without losing your identity. No one should have to shrink to make you feel better about yourself. Your identity is in Christ and he is the one that defines you. Seek God's voice above all else. Saul feared people more than God. We need to flip that. Fear God and you'll lead with courage.
Isaiah 51:12 says, I even I am he who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die and the son of a man who will be made like grass. We are children of God. We are to fear no man. Repent quickly and deeply. Saul admitted fault, but didn't change course. True repentance leads to transformation. When you make a mistake own up to it and the consequences. Then be sure to change directions and wholeheartedly follow the Lord.
Proverbs 4:23 says, "keep your heart with all diligence for out of it spring the issues of life. Saul's story ends in tragedy, but it doesn't have to be that way for our story. God gives us examples so we can walk in wisdom. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, "therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." Let Saul's life remind us a calling and giftings are not enough. Charisma is not enough. We need character. We need obedience. We need intimacy with God.
Today, ask yourself, am I leading like Saul? Am I obeying fully or selectively? Am I secure in God's calling or striving to prove myself? Let's learn from Saul not to shame ourselves but to sharpen our walk. Because when we lead with obedience, humility, and trust, we reflect the heart of God. Thanks for joining me this week. Be sure to like and share this episode if you found value in it. Remember, you're not called to impress. You are called to obey. Have a great one.
You've been listening to Going In Grace. Be sure to visit us online at brandistover.com.