How does Saul's behavior compare to God's commands in Deuteronomy 17:18-20? Foundation: The King’s Charter in Deuteronomy 17:18-20 “ When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this Instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. And it is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and carefully observe all the words of this Instruction and these statutes. Then his heart will not be lifted up above his brothers, and he will not turn aside from the commandment to the right or to the left, so that he and his descendants may reign long in the kingdom amid Israel.” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20) Snapshot of Saul’s Reign • 1 Samuel 10:25 – Samuel “wrote the rights and duties of the kingship in a book,” but Scripture never records Saul copying or studying it. • 1 Samuel 13:8-14 – Saul offers the burnt offering instead of waiting for Samuel. • 1 Samuel 14:24-45 – a rash oath endangers the army and Jonathan. • 1 Samuel 15:1-23 – Saul spares Agag and the best livestock, then defends his partial obedience. Key Points of Contrast 1. Personal Copy of the Law • Deuteronomy 17:18 – The king must “write for himself” the law. • 1 Samuel is silent on Saul doing this; the omission itself speaks. • Without the written Word before him, Saul relies on impulse and popular opinion (1 Samuel 15:24). 2. Daily Reading and Lifelong Study • Deuteronomy 17:19 – The law is to be “with him” and read “all the days of his life.” • Saul repeatedly acts without consulting God’s Word (1 Samuel 14:36-37; 28:6). • Contrast David’s habit of inquiring of the LORD (1 Samuel 23:2-4; 30:8). 3. Cultivating Fear of the LORD through Obedience • Deuteronomy 17:19 – Study leads to reverent obedience. • Saul obeys selectively: he begins well (1 Samuel 11) but drifts into partial compliance (1 Samuel 15:9). • Samuel’s verdict: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). 4. Guarding the Heart from Pride • Deuteronomy 17:20 – The law keeps the king’s heart from being “lifted up above his brothers.” • Saul’s pride surfaces early: building a monument to himself after the Amalekite victory (1 Samuel 15:12). • His insecurity-driven jealousy of David (1 Samuel 18:8-9) shows a heart untethered from Scripture’s correcting influence. 5. Staying on the Path—“Not Turning Aside” • Deuteronomy 17:20 – The king must not “turn aside … to the right or to the left.” • Saul turns aside by usurping priestly duties (1 Samuel 13), making reckless oaths (1 Samuel 14), consulting a medium (1 Samuel 28). • Each deviation widens the gap between him and God’s commands. Consequences Observed • Shortened dynasty: Deuteronomy 17 promises long reign if obedient; Saul’s line ends with Jonathan (1 Samuel 15:28; 31:2). • Loss of divine favor: “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you” (1 Samuel 15:28). • Personal torment: an “evil spirit from the LORD” troubles Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). Takeaway for Today A king—or any leader—thrives only when Scripture is copied to the heart, read daily, obeyed fully, and allowed to keep pride in check. Saul’s tragic arc underscores the timeless wisdom of Deuteronomy 17:18-20 and calls every believer to stay close to the Word, lest subtle departures grow into catastrophic falls. |
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