Saul's Story

ul's  Storuy

The David Saga: Lessons 9-15

The Unlikely Anointed One (1 Samuel 9:1 - 10:16)

Saul is introduced as the king given by God in answer to the people's prayers. The author of 1 Samuel deftly plants hints of the character that will develop as Saul's story is told.

Saul Takes the Sword and the Crown (1 Samuel 11)

Saul proves he was indeed the best, most qualified candidate available to become the first king of Israel.

Samuel's Farewell Address (1 Samuel 12)

Having handed the reins of leadership to the new King Saul, Samuel delivers his greatest sermon. Reminiscent of Moses' final great address to Israel in Deuteronomy, it is filled with promise, hope--and warning.

Saul's First Stumble (1 Samuel 13)

In the first significant test of his faith, Saul reveals his fatal flaw and it costs him.

Saul's Rash Vow (1 Samuel 14)

Saul had not learned from his earlier experience that God must be trusted and obeyed, not manipulated--and again, it costs him.

The Reign of King Saul: Some Observations (1 Samuel 9-14)

1 Samuel 14:47-52 gives a concluding summary of Saul's reign seemingly in the middle of his story rather than at the end like in the I and II Kings. Why is that? And what can we say about the virtues and the fatal flaw of Saul's kingship?

Saul Rejected as King, Part 1: The King's Mission

(1 Samuel 15:1-10)

Why was Saul's partial obedience to God's command regarded by God as treasonous disobedience?

Extra Feature: "What about the LORD's command to kill all?" (44:20)

Saul Rejected as King, Part 2: The Prophet's Mission

(1 Samuel 15:11-35)

The prophet is given a grim mission that he does not want to do, but as he tells the king who has betrayed his own mission, "To obey is better than sacrifice."

Israel's transformation from a tribal confederacy to a monarchy was uneasy and fraught with perils - not the least of which was naive set of expectations the Israelite's held.

Samuel became the unwilling midwife to the transition. It was he who brought to the people the most qualified man available, Saul ben Kish, a Benjamite. His early reign was marked by great successes, but it soon became apparent that his flaws could not be overcome.