Saul Overshadowed by David
A devotional book I have been reading is taking me through the Bible in a year. Recently I was reading 1 Samuel 8, concerning Saul. Sometimes we skim past Saul because David becomes a much larger character. Yet there are some important lessons to learn from Saul.
The Israelites wanted a king, and Samuel the prophet came to the Lord and inquired of Him. Through Samuel, the Lord warned the people the price they would pay if they wanted a mortal, earthly king. They already had a heavenly King who loved and fed them, destroyed their enemies, and performed miracles. Yet they still cried out for a human king. By divine appointment, Saul met Samuel. Saul was about 6’4”- 6’6” tall—a mighty presence since most Israelite men were only 5’ tall at this time. When Samuel told Saul that he would become king, Saul began to make excuses. Perhaps he was fearful, which any one of us can be when the Holy Spirit calls us to do something beyond our capability. When the time came to announce Saul as king, he was hiding. Was it modesty, fear, or shyness?
Saul experienced initial success. Unfortunately, the more success Saul enjoyed, the more he began falling away from God. Saul’s rule would have continued to be effective if Saul followed what the Lord told him to do, but pride crept in. He seemed to think he knew better than God. First, he felt inadequate and then he became arrogant. Saul’s egotistical defiance led to his failure.
Like Saul, at times, I have felt inadequate. I make excuses for not taking a step forward, trusting the Lord to handle what He has called me to do. The first time God opened a door for me to teach, I shrunk back. My audience was filled with seasoned Bible-readers, and I feared they knew more than me. The morning I planned to teach, I came up with excuses to my husband: I have a headache; I am not feeling well; I can’t do this because I am not as knowledgeable as they are; I will make a huge mistake and the women will correct me and then talk behind my back; and on and on. Yet, in my heart I knew I was called to teach. I continually asked the Lord to help me. Why did I not trust Him when He could equip me? It is easy to doubt the Lord in challenging situations. Yet if He calls us, He will make a way for us. Even a little faith can transform us. Not because we have “what it takes,” but because of the One we put our faith in.
When I read about Saul, I judged him for not listening to the Lord as a successful ruler. Yet I can easily see myself in Saul’s disobedience. There have been times I knew the Lord had spoken to me and I did not obey and missed the blessing. Even though I know He never steps away from me, being ruled by my fears caused me to lose my close connection to Him.
Another time the Lord directed me to lay my hands on a woman and pray for her healing. I did not know her and my doubt crept in. Trembling inside, I prayed for her. Later she told me that moment had helped her emotionally. When God speaks to us, we must decide whether to accept the challenge He presents to us despite the uncomfortability.
Saul’s pride got to him. He wanted the accolades. Yet I have also resisted the Lord out of pride. What a huge mistake that I regretted. When we do not obey, there is a danger we will continue in this path disobedience. Pride easily creeps in when we are successful. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 NIV). Have you ever moved forward without asking the Lord’s direction only to be sorry for it, and then learned your lesson? I felt very disobedient by not obeying. Yet, the Lord is quick to forgive and did not want me to walk in guilt. As Hebrew 10:22 says, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience.…”
Saul’s story is like yours and mine. In the beginning he listened to the Lord, but as time passed, he made decisions without seeking God first. When we draw close to the Lord, listen, and obey, He will direct our steps. “The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand” (Psalm 37:23-24 BSB).
I love how the Lord sees our faults and still loves us more then we can imagine. He loved Saul while forgiving him over and over. Unfortunately, Saul continued his path of not trusting in the Lord and allowed himself to be led by arrogance, pride, and fear. Saul had huge potential. God saw that potential when He appointed him king. Likewise, God sees the potential in all of us. When we stay close to Him, know the truth revealed in Scripture, and live our lives according to the Lord, He will release us to do mighty things with Him.
Let’s pray:
Lord, I know you want to use us to minister to your children. Help me obey when you call me and not step out without asking you first. Let me not become prideful when I obey and receive accolades. It is only because of You that miracles take place. Thank you for Your forgiveness when we take the credit and repent. Amen.
