(story told in 1 Samuel 9-31)
Saul was Israel’s first king, chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel. He came from the tribe of Benjamin and was tall, strong, and handsome—everything people thought a leader should be. At first, Saul was humble and unsure of himself, but God’s Spirit empowered him to lead. Under Saul’s command, Israel won important battles against its enemies, and the people celebrated him as their king.
Over time, however, Saul’s heart began to change. When God gave him clear instructions, Saul often chose to do things his own way. In one battle, he grew impatient waiting for Samuel and offered a sacrifice himself—something only a priest was allowed to do. Later, when God told him to completely destroy the Amalekites, Saul disobeyed by keeping the best animals and sparing their king. Because of his pride and disobedience, God rejected Saul as king.
Samuel was heartbroken, but God chose another—David, a young shepherd—to one day take Saul’s place. When Saul learned this, jealousy and fear consumed him. He became obsessed with killing David, even though David served him faithfully.
Saul’s disobedience and anger led him further from God. In his final days, when he could no longer hear from the Lord, he desperately sought answers from a forbidden medium. Soon after, Saul faced the Philistines in battle. His sons were killed, and rather than be captured, Saul took his own life.
Saul’s story is tragic. He started with promise but fell because he stopped listening to God. His life reminds us that success means nothing without obedience—and that true leadership begins with humility before the Lord.