How a Strong Start Can Still End in Failure (1 Samuel 11-13)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Have you ever wondered how some of the seemingly greatest men and women of faith turn from God and make some of the worst choices?

King Saul is certainly an excellent case study. In 1 Samuel 11-13, we see a tidal wave of emotions and actions from the new king of Israel, Saul. In Chapter 11, the Israelite monarchy is still in its infant stages, as evidenced by the fact that Saul is still working in the fields. Sensing this vulnerability, Nahash the Ammonite offers the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead a peace offer contingent on gauging out the right eye of every resident.

As Robert Bergen notes, “The removal of the most prized eye of each Jabesh Gileadite would have two advantages: it would preserve the Israelites’ capacity to perform agricultural tasks (and thus generate taxable revenue), yet it would drastically reduce their ability to wage war by taking away their depth perception and reducing their field of vision.”^[1]

It’s here the young King Saul is faced with a choice. He can melt under the pressure or stand up. Verse 6 gives us a quick answer: "When Saul heard these words, the Spirit of God suddenly came powerfully on him, and his anger burned furiously.” In a flashback from Judges 19:29, instead of dismembering a concubine, Saul sends the parts of a dead ox to the tribes of Israel and issues a dramatic call to action. Come out and fight, or be dismembered and die. Under King Saul’s leadership, Israel is victorious, and in Chapter 12, the prophet Samuel issues this warning to the people.

¹³ “Now here is the king you’ve chosen, the one you requested. Look, this is the king the Lord has placed over you. ¹⁴ If you fear the Lord, worship and obey him, and if you don’t rebel against the Lord’s command, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God. ¹⁵ However, if you disobey the Lord and rebel against his command, the Lord’s hand will be against you as it was against your ancestors.

Samuel goes on to say in verse 22, “The Lord will not abandon his people, because of his great name and because he has determined to make you his own people.”

But even though God will not abandon his people, as history has shown, his people will abandon him. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul disobeys God by offering sacrifices, a task reserved for Samuel the prophet. Saul, feeling pressured by the circumstances of an impending battle with the Philistines and the scattering of his army, takes matters into his own hands instead of waiting for Samuel as instructed. In response,

¹³ “Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have been foolish. You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, ¹⁴ but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.’” 

On the surface, Saul’s actions seem justified. He was in a hurry and wanted to get God’s blessing before going into battle. However, his hurry led to disobedience. Rather than waiting for the prophet Samuel to be present before offering a sacrifice (as God instructed), Saul pressed ahead and operated in his own strength. On one hand, Saul possessed great courage and strength. But on the other, he lacked the ability to wait on God.

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise: Almighty God, I praise you for your unfailing love and grace. You are the source of all strength and wisdom, and I marvel at your majesty and sovereignty. In every moment, your presence surrounds me, filling me with awe and gratitude.

Release: Lord, I release my anxieties, worries, and desire for control into your hands. Like Saul faced uncertainty and temptation, I recognize my own inclination to rely on my strength instead of trusting in you completely. Help me let go of the need to control every situation and surrender to your perfect will.