Topical Bible: Anger: Sinful: Saul

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Topical Encyclopedia

Saul, the first king of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose life and reign are marked by instances of sinful anger. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. Saul's anger often led him to act irrationally and disobediently, ultimately contributing to his downfall as king.

One of the earliest instances of Saul's sinful anger is seen in 1 Samuel 13. Saul, facing pressure from the Philistines and seeing his troops scatter, unlawfully offers a burnt sacrifice in the absence of the prophet Samuel. When Samuel arrives and rebukes him, Saul's anger and impatience are evident. This act of disobedience, driven by his inability to wait for God's timing, leads to Samuel declaring that Saul's kingdom will not endure (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

Saul's anger becomes more pronounced in his relationship with David. After David's victory over Goliath, Saul becomes jealous of David's growing popularity. This jealousy quickly turns into anger and hatred. In 1 Samuel 18:8-9 , it is recorded, "And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. 'They have ascribed to David ten thousands,' he said, 'but to me they have ascribed thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?' So from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David."

Saul's anger leads him to make multiple attempts on David's life. In 1 Samuel 19:1 , Saul orders his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. Jonathan, however, warns David, and Saul's plan is thwarted. Saul's anger blinds him to the loyalty and righteousness of those around him, including his own son, Jonathan, who loves David as himself.

Another significant episode of Saul's sinful anger is found in 1 Samuel 20. During the New Moon festival, Saul notices David's absence and questions Jonathan about it. When Jonathan defends David, Saul's anger flares up, and he hurls a spear at Jonathan, attempting to kill him (1 Samuel 20:30-33). This act of violence against his own son underscores the destructive nature of Saul's anger.

Saul's anger also manifests in his dealings with the priests of Nob. Believing they have conspired with David, Saul orders the massacre of the priests and their families, an act of brutality that further alienates him from God (1 Samuel 22:16-19).

Throughout Saul's reign, his sinful anger leads to a series of poor decisions and disobedience to God's commands. His inability to control his anger and jealousy ultimately results in the loss of his kingdom and his tragic death in battle (1 Samuel 31:4). Saul's life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked anger and the importance of obedience to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 20:30
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, You son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own confusion, and to the confusion of your mother's nakedness?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

David's Anger
... DAVID'S ANGER. ... they remain for ever the most hideous pages in the history of sinful
human nature ... Twice he has Saul in his power: once in the cave at Engedi, once ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iii davids anger.htm

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... Besides, the Lord's anger and indignation against his enemies is ... law, we hold it
to be sinful in itself ... Gilead besieged by a foreign enemy, Saul commands all to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm

Instances of God's Repentance, and Notably in the Case of the ...
... error and wrong in His choice of Saul, it follows ... a gracious God and merciful, slow
to anger, and of ... evil against you;" [3002] meaning not to sinful evils, but ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxiv instances of gods repentance.htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... Ergo, It is as sinful for the people to join with ... and the civil bonds of the people
to Saul their king ... peace and friendship with them, when the anger of the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

Christian Meekness
... And Saul lift up his voice and wept, and he said to David, Thou ... (i) This is sinful
arguing ... All your affections at first, your joy, love, anger were set in order ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/12 christian meekness.htm

Effects of Messiah's Appearance
... at least, prevent the emotions of anger and resentment ... Thus, though Saul of Tarsus
approached Damascus as an ... sins, and the strength of their sinful habits, are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xii effects of messiahs.htm

The Heinous Sin of Profane Cursing and Swearing
... extenuated and diminished the guilt of Saul's taking upon ... alledge his string propensity
to anger, to excuse ... swearing appear yet more exceeding sinful, is, that ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of profane.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... from approaching to God, and beats it off from duty, is a sinful mourning ... Such was
Saul's grief, which drove him to the witch of Endor (1 ... Anger may be reconciled ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

The Sinner Seriously Urged and Entreated to Accept of Salvation in ...
... shall be kindled in his anger, which shall ... to Saul, while injuring his church, "Saul,
Saul, why persecutest ... none of the solicitations of sinful companions, may ...
/.../chapter x the sinner seriously.htm

South -- the Image of God in Man
... in the former, which wicked princes, such, as Saul and Nimrod ... our natural infirmities,
but none of our sinful, has been ... And if we may bring anger under this head ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/south the image of.htm