Saul’s story is told in 1 Samuel 9-31
Saul: Israel’s First King
When the people of Israel wanted a king to lead them like other nations had, God gave them Saul. He became the first king of Israel. At first, Saul looked like a great choice—he was tall, strong, and came from a respected family. But Saul’s story is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about how someone looks on the outside—it’s about the heart.
Humble Beginnings
Saul didn’t come from a royal background. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, and his family was not especially powerful. One day, while looking for his father’s lost donkeys, Saul met the prophet Samuel. God told Samuel that Saul was the one chosen to be king. Samuel anointed Saul, meaning he poured oil on his head to show that God had chosen him.
Saul didn’t ask to be king, and at first, he seemed surprised and humble about it.
A Strong Start
At the beginning of his reign, Saul did well. He led the people into battle and won victories over their enemies. The people were happy to have him as their king. He was brave, and he tried to do what was right.
Saul showed signs of being a good leader, and things looked hopeful.
Disobedience and Mistakes
Over time, Saul made some poor choices. One of his biggest mistakes was taking matters into his own hands instead of waiting for God’s direction. For example:
- When Samuel didn’t arrive on time, Saul offered a sacrifice himself, even though only a priest was supposed to do that.
- Later, God told Saul to completely destroy an enemy nation, but Saul kept some of the best animals and let the king live.
Because of these actions, Samuel told Saul that God was no longer pleased with him. Saul had been given a great responsibility, but he didn’t follow God’s instructions. This was a turning point in his story.
Jealousy of David
After a young shepherd named David defeated the giant Goliath, people began to praise David more than Saul. Saul became very jealous. Instead of being happy for David’s success, Saul let jealousy control him. He became angry, fearful, and even tried to kill David several times.
This jealousy made things worse for Saul and led to more trouble in his kingdom.
A Sad Ending
In the final part of Saul’s life, he seemed lost and afraid. God had stopped speaking to him, and Saul felt alone. In desperation, he visited a woman who claimed to speak to the dead, hoping to hear from Samuel one last time.
Eventually, Saul died in battle, along with his sons. It was a sad end for someone who had started out with so much potential.
What We Can Learn from Saul
Saul’s life teaches us some important lessons:
- Obedience matters more than appearance. God cares about our hearts, not just how we look or what we achieve.
- Jealousy can destroy us. Instead of being thankful and supportive, Saul’s jealousy of David led him down a dark path.
- We need to trust and listen to God. Saul’s biggest mistakes came when he tried to take control instead of waiting for God’s guidance.
- Finishing well is important. It’s not enough to start strong—we need to stay faithful all the way through.
Final Thoughts
Saul was chosen by God and had a strong beginning, but his choices led him away from the path God wanted for him. His story reminds us that being a good leader—or a good person—isn’t just about talent or status. It’s about listening to God, obeying Him, and staying humble.
No matter what role we play in life, we can learn from Saul’s life to follow God with our whole heart.