The Pride of Saul

Samuel made his sons judges, but his sons did not walk in the ways of Samuel . 1 Sam. 8:3 “But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.”

They did not walk in his ways . They conducted themselves different from Samuel . They were Ungodly

Dishonest gain . They did things that was unlawful for resources and money

They took Brides

They perverted justice . The changed the inherent purpose and function of justice . They distorted justice to fit themselves .

So the Elders of Israel recognized it and started to request a king. 1 Sam 8:4

Sauls Appearance

1 Sam. 9:2 “And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.”

Saul had little that would say “ king “ apart from his physical impressiveness .

Saul heard about the prophet Samuel and wanted help to find his donkey believing that Samuel would prophetically tell him which way to go. Saul was very humble .

Early Years Saul was humble

Saul was humbled that Samuel wanted to spend time with him.

1 Sam. 9:21 “And Saul answered and said, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?”

Do you remember when you first got saved everything was new and exciting . You where humbled by every experience .

You memorized scripture. You couldnt wait to share your faith .

But as you begin to be around a little bit more you begin to despise the same people who you thought very highly of .

What Saul was made King he was so humble He hid himself among the equipment . So they ran and brought him before the people to declare him as King. 1 Samuel 10:21-22 “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.””

Early years Saul had self- control .

Some rebels looked at Saul and said, “ How can this man save us”

They Despise Saul

The didn’t give him any presents .

But he held his peace .

Later years

- Saul was self willed

Saul made a unlawful sacrifice.

Samuel was running a bit late and Saul got anxious and made a unlawful sacrifice.

1 Samuel 13:12-13 “then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”

Saul became disobedient

God told Saul to destroy the Amalek

1 Sam. 15:3 “Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ””

But Saul did the opposite

1 Samuel 15:8-9 “He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.”

Saul was filled with Jealousy and hatred .

1 Sam. 18:8 “Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?””

1 Sam 19:1 “Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David.”

He became supersituous

1 Sam 28:7 “Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.””

God forbids going to mediums .

Deut. 18:10-11 “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.”

Ultimately he became suicidal .

1 Sam. 31:4 “Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.”

What was Sauls issues

Saul feared the voice of man rather then the voice of God.

1 Sam. 15:24 “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.”

Saul became to big and God became to small.

1 Samuel 15:17 “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?”

Sauls own pride and peronia took him out.