Topical Encyclopedia IntroductionKing Saul, the first monarch of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose reign is marked by a series of decisions that reflect a struggle with self-will. His life and actions provide a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing personal desires over divine commands. Saul's self-will ultimately leads to his downfall and serves as a significant lesson in the importance of obedience to God. Anointed as King Saul's journey begins with his anointing by the prophet Samuel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 10:1: "Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, 'Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?'" Saul's initial humility and reluctance to assume the kingship (1 Samuel 10:21-22) soon give way to a pattern of self-willed actions that contrast sharply with his early demeanor. The Sacrifice at Gilgal One of the earliest instances of Saul's self-will is found in 1 Samuel 13. Facing the threat of the Philistines and anxious about the delay of Samuel, Saul takes it upon himself to offer a burnt sacrifice, a duty reserved for the prophet. In 1 Samuel 13:13-14, Samuel rebukes Saul: "You have acted foolishly," Samuel declared. "You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler of His people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command." The Amalekite Campaign Saul's self-will is further exemplified in his handling of the Amalekite campaign. God, through Samuel, commands Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all they possess (1 Samuel 15:3). However, Saul spares King Agag and the best of the livestock, rationalizing his disobedience by claiming the animals were kept for sacrifice to the LORD (1 Samuel 15:15). Samuel's response in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 underscores the gravity of Saul's self-will: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king." The Pursuit of David Saul's self-will is further manifested in his relentless pursuit of David, whom he perceives as a threat to his throne. Despite David's loyalty and the clear evidence of God's favor upon him, Saul's jealousy and paranoia drive him to seek David's life. This pursuit, detailed in 1 Samuel 18-26, highlights Saul's inability to submit to God's will and accept the divine plan for Israel's future leadership. Consultation with the Witch of Endor In a final act of self-will and desperation, Saul seeks guidance from a medium at Endor, directly contravening God's law against necromancy (1 Samuel 28:7-20). This act signifies Saul's complete departure from reliance on God, as he turns to forbidden practices in a futile attempt to secure his future. Conclusion King Saul's life is a profound illustration of the destructive nature of self-will. His repeated choices to prioritize his own desires over God's commands lead to the loss of his kingdom and ultimately his life. Saul's account serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience and submission to God's will in the life of a believer. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 15:19-23Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD, but did fly on the spoil, and did evil in the sight of the LORD? Nave's Topical Index Library The End of Self-Will Saul Rejected The Bright Dawn of a Reign The King. The Old Judge and the Young King Expositions of Holy Scripture Love and Remorse Jonathan, the Pattern of Friendship The Honored Servant The First Kings. Resources What is libertarian free will? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian play video games? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about self-gratification / self-pleasure? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Self-Will and Stubbornness: Characteristic of the Wicked Self-Will and Stubbornness: David Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Going Backward and not Forward Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Hardening the Heart Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Hardening the Neck Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Rebelling Against God Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Refusing to Hearken to God Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Refusing to Hearken to Parents Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Refusing to Hearken to the Messengers of God Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Refusing to Receive Correction Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Refusing to Walk in the Ways of God Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Resisting the Holy Spirit Self-Will and Stubbornness: Exhibited in Walking in the Counsels of an Evil Heart Self-Will and Stubbornness: Forbidden Self-Will and Stubbornness: God Knows Self-Will and Stubbornness: Heinousness of Self-Will and Stubbornness: Illustrated Self-Will and Stubbornness: Israelites Self-Will and Stubbornness: Josiah Self-Will and Stubbornness: Ministers should be Without Self-Will and Stubbornness: Ministers should Pray That Their People May be Forgiven For Self-Will and Stubbornness: Ministers should Warn Their People Against Self-Will and Stubbornness: Proceed From: An Evil Heart Self-Will and Stubbornness: Proceed From: Pride Self-Will and Stubbornness: Proceed From: Unbelief Self-Will and Stubbornness: Punishment For Self-Will and Stubbornness: Saul Self-Will and Stubbornness: Simeon and Levi Self-Will and Stubbornness: The Wicked Cease not From Self-Will and Stubbornness: Zedekiah Self-Will: Characteristic of Wicked People Self-Will: Exhibited in Going Backward and not Forward Self-Will: Exhibited in Hardening the Heart Self-Will: Exhibited in Hardening the Neck (Metaphorically) Self-Will: Exhibited in Heinousness of Self-Will: Exhibited in Rebelling Against God Self-Will: Exhibited in Refusing to Listen to (Obey) Parents Self-Will: Exhibited in Refusing to Listen to God Self-Will: Exhibited in Refusing to Listen to the Messengers of God Self-Will: Exhibited in Refusing to Receive Correction Self-Will: Exhibited in Refusing to Walk in the Ways of God Self-Will: Exhibited in Resisting the Holy Spirit Self-Will: Exhibited in Walking in the Counsels of an Evil Heart Self-Will: Proceeds From: An Evil Heart Self-Will: Proceeds From: Pride Self-Will: Proceeds From: Unbelief Self-Will: Servants should be Without Self-Will: Servants should Pray That the People May be Forgiven For Self-Will: Servants should Warn the People Against Self-Will: The Wicked do not Cease From Related Terms |
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