Compare Saul's actions in 1 Samuel 22:11 with Proverbs 29:2 on righteous leadership.

Opening Scriptures

• 1 Samuel 22:11 – “Then the king sent to summon Ahimelech son of Ahitub and all the priests from his father’s house who were in Nob, and they all came to the king.”

• Proverbs 29:2 – “When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

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Saul’s Leadership on Display

• Summons God’s priests as accused criminals, not honored servants

• Acts from fear and jealousy rather than faith and justice (cf. 1 Samuel 18:8–9)

• Ignores God-given limits on royal authority over the priesthood (cf. Numbers 18:7)

• Sets the stage for executing innocent worshipers (1 Samuel 22:17–19)

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What Proverbs 29:2 Says About Rulers

• Righteous leaders = flourishing, rejoicing people

• Wicked rulers = oppressed, groaning people

• Leadership character directly shapes national mood and spiritual health

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Side-by-Side Comparison

• Righteousness vs. Wickedness

– Righteous leader: serves God’s purposes (2 Samuel 23:3)

– Saul: serves personal insecurity

• People’s response

– Under righteousness: “rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2a)

– Under Saul: priests die, townspeople mourn, survivors flee (1 Samuel 22:20–23)

• Fruit produced

– Righteous rule: life, stability, praise

– Saul’s rule: fear, bloodshed, national sorrow

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Ripple Effects of Saul’s Wicked Rule

• Spiritual devastation—an entire priestly city destroyed

• Moral confusion—soldiers asked to kill clergy (22:17)

• National groaning—Israel loses its spiritual shepherds

• Personal alienation—Saul drifts farther from God (cf. 1 Samuel 28:6)

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Righteous Leadership Modeled Later by David

• Seeks God before acting (2 Samuel 5:19)

• Protects priests and honors their role (1 Samuel 22:23)

• Brings rejoicing when enthroned (2 Samuel 6:12–15)

• Mirrors Proverbs 29:2’s principle—righteous flourish, people rejoice

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Timeless Takeaways

• Authority must submit to God’s Word, never override it (Deuteronomy 17:18–20)

• Insecurity breeds injustice; confidence in God frees leaders to act righteously

• The well-being of a people rises or falls with their leaders’ character

• Followers are called to pray for righteous rulers (1 Timothy 2:1–2) and trust God’s ultimate King, Jesus, whose reign brings everlasting joy (Isaiah 9:6–7)