How does Saul's fear in 1 Samuel 28:5 reflect his spiritual state? Setting the Scene - After years of compromise, Saul faces the Philistine host at Shunem (1 Samuel 28:4). - “When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly.” (1 Samuel 28:5). - The text presents a king once anointed by God now paralyzed with dread. The Immediate Reaction: Fear That Shakes the Heart - “Afraid” (Hebrew yareʾ) points to inward terror, not mere caution. - “His heart trembled greatly” describes violent physical shaking—an external symptom of an internal crisis. - This visceral fear reflects more than a military assessment; it exposes the condition of Saul’s soul. Roots of Saul’s Fear • Loss of Divine Fellowship – “The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 16:14). – Without God’s presence, courage evaporates (cf. Joshua 1:9). • Persistent Disobedience – Repeated rejection of God’s commands (1 Samuel 13:13-14; 15:22-23). – Unrepented sin severs confidence: “The wicked flee when no one pursues” (Proverbs 28:1). • Silenced Guidance – “The LORD did not answer him—by dreams or Urim or prophets” (1 Samuel 28:6). – Absence of divine counsel leaves him directionless and exposed. • Reliance on Flesh – Saul measures danger by sight (“When Saul saw the army”), not by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). – His earlier boldness, rooted in God’s promise (1 Samuel 11:6-11), has been replaced by human calculation. Signs of a Deteriorating Spiritual Life - Overwhelming fear replaces peace (Isaiah 26:3). - Decision-making driven by desperation, leading to forbidden practices (1 Samuel 28:7-8). - Isolation from godly counsel; even David and Samuel are gone from his side (1 Samuel 19:18; 25:1). - Hardened heart resists repentance despite mounting consequences (1 Samuel 24:16-22; 26:21-25). Contrasts: Fear of Man vs. Fear of God - Saul fears the Philistines; David once confessed, “The LORD is my light… whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). - God commands, “Sanctify the LORD of Hosts… let Him be your fear” (Isaiah 8:13). - Right fear (reverence) produces courage; wrong fear (terror) exposes spiritual emptiness. Takeaways for Today • Ongoing sin drains assurance; repentance restores boldness (1 John 1:9). • Dependence on visible circumstances breeds anxiety; faith in God’s sovereignty brings steadiness (Psalm 112:7). • When God’s voice is ignored, fear grows louder; when He is sought sincerely, peace returns (Jeremiah 29:13). |
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