1 Samuel 8-15
Saul, the first king of Israel who we meet in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel is a fairly complex character. In a short span of time, he goes from being called on by God to fill a role that he’s woefully unqualified for, leading the rebellious nation of Israel to ending up dying in disgrace.
What I find to be regrettable about Saul is that his name typically conjures up an image of a true Bible villain. Afterall, this is the super paranoid king who spends an exorbitant amount of time trying to kill David, arguably the greatest hero in the Bible. That kind of press typically doesn’t win you the hearts and minds of the people reading about you.
As I’ve gotten more familiar with Saul and the twists and turns his life took, I find that although it’s a life defined by its tragic bent, it’s also a life that reflects if not a steadfast faith in God certainly an enduring one.
Saul is one of those guys who lead people to ask the age-old question, “Is he in Heaven?” And based on what scripture shows me, I feel pretty good that when we arrive in Heaven, Saul will be among those welcoming us home. Let me show you why.
It all starts in 1 Samuel 8. Samuel, the last of the judges to rule over Israel and the first major prophet of the Old Testament is facing old age and the desire to retire. He’s named his two sons as his successors, but they unfortunately are both corrupt. The elders of Israel sit Samuel down and tell him they think the time has come to submit to an earthly king like all the other nations of the world. Samuel takes this demand personally and he takes it to the LORD who tells him in effect, “Don’t take it personal Sam. They’re rejecting me, not you.”
And as many of us know, when we turn away from the guidance of God to conform to the ways of the world well…things seldom turn out well. The LORD tells Samuel that He’s going to give the people what they want. In a last-ditch effort to get Israel to reconsider, Samuel warns the nation about how corrupt and oppressive a king tends to be, but the people aren’t listening.
Enter Saul. Saul is the son of a wealthy man named Kish. Saul is also, according to Samuel, the tallest and handsomest dude in Israel. That’s Saul’s resume. It doesn’t exactly scream “KING!”
I would encourage you all to dig deep into the details of Saul’s rise, but by way of quick overview, the LORD tells Samuel that Saul’s the man and He makes a way for the two to meet while Saul is out searching for some valuable donkeys who wandered away from his father’s land. Samuel anoints Saul with oil and tells him that the hopes of the nation rest with him. Upon hearing this, Saul’s response to Samuel is important. He may be the tallest and hottest guy in town, but he tells Samuel there must be a mistake.
He informs Samuel that he comes from the least important family in Israel’s smallest tribe, the tribe of Benjamin. The depth of Saul’s humility is important and I believe it’s something that the LORD likely finds endearing. As Saul leaves Samuel and heads home, Samuel tells him that on the way he will have three encounters. The first takes place at the oak of Tabor, where three men will assure Saul that things at home are okay, dad’s donkeys are home safe and sound. The LORD gives Saul peace of mind.
The second encounter takes place at Rachel’s tomb where three strangers will greet Saul and offer him two loaves of bread. Samuel tells Saul to be sure and accept these loaves. The LORD gives Saul sustenance.
The third encounter is the biggie. When Saul arrives at a place called Gibeah of God, a place crawling with Israel’s enemies the Philistines, he will be met by a band of prophets “…and the Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully on Saul, and he will become a new person.” The LORD gives Saul the promise of salvation.
In my mind, no matter what comes next for Saul this is the moment in which his life is redefined. The LORD makes a new creation out of Saul and that’s a change that cannot be reversed.
Saul becomes king – reluctantly – and knowing his limitations he trusts in the LORD’s guidance as its presented to him through Samuel. Saul becomes a military hero and a beloved king. And then it all goes wrong. On two occasions Saul, from a place of pride disobeys directives from the LORD. As a result, the LORD tells Saul that his throne is going to be turned over to “someone better” – David. And that begins a decline that leads to a season of life where Saul, overcome by jealousy and paranoia tries to kill David. In the end, Saul ends up in a battlefield disaster where, seriously wounded, he ends up killing himself rather than be tortured and humiliated by the enemy.
But let’s look at this life. Saul is called by God…protected and guided by God…victimized by sin and willingly cut off from God and, more than once, even when he’s sinning against God like it’s his job, Saul is spared. On more than one occasion when David himself has golden opportunities to kill Saul himself he doesn’t. Why? Because he is the LORD’s anointed.
As lost as Saul may have been in mind and spirit, his anointing, his receiving of the LORD’s spirit can’t be lost, it can’t be taken. Saul may be broken, but he’s also still the new person the LORD created in Gibeah. And therein lies our hope as sinners.
If we’ve allowed the Spirit to come into our lives in just such a way then, as Paul so beautifully puts it in 2 Corinthians 5:17 we come to realize that “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come.” And nothing on earth can revert the new creation back into the old. It’s what makes amazing grace amazing!