Topical Bible: Backsliding: Saul

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Topical Encyclopedia

Saul, the first king of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose life serves as a cautionary tale of backsliding from faithfulness to God. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. Saul's reign began with promise but ended in tragedy due to his repeated disobedience and failure to fully trust in the Lord.

Anointed as King

Saul was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Initially, Saul was humble and hesitant to assume the kingship. In 1 Samuel 10:1, Samuel anoints Saul, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?" Saul's early reign was marked by military success and the unification of the tribes of Israel.

Early Disobedience

Despite his promising start, Saul's backsliding began with acts of disobedience. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul unlawfully offered a burnt offering in the absence of Samuel, demonstrating impatience and a lack of faith. Samuel rebuked him, saying, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you" (1 Samuel 13:13). This act marked the beginning of Saul's spiritual decline.

Rejection by God

Saul's most significant act of disobedience occurred in 1 Samuel 15 when he failed to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions as God had commanded. Instead, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock. When confronted by Samuel, Saul attempted to justify his actions, but Samuel declared, "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" (1 Samuel 15:23). This rejection signified a turning point in Saul's relationship with God.

Descent into Madness

Following his rejection, Saul's life was marked by increasing instability and jealousy, particularly towards David, whom God had chosen as his successor. Saul's jealousy led him to pursue David relentlessly, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:9, "So Saul eyed David from that day forward." His inability to accept God's will and his obsession with maintaining power further distanced him from God.

Consultation with a Medium

In a final act of desperation, Saul sought guidance from a medium at Endor, violating God's law against consulting the dead (1 Samuel 28). This act underscored Saul's complete departure from reliance on God. The spirit of Samuel, summoned by the medium, foretold Saul's impending defeat and death, saying, "Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me" (1 Samuel 28:19).

Death and Legacy

Saul's life ended in defeat and suicide during the battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31). His tragic end serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of backsliding and disobedience to God. Saul's account is a powerful illustration of how initial promise can be undone by a failure to remain faithful and obedient to the Lord's commands.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 15:11
It repents me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried to the LORD all night.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Preventive against Backsliding.
... When Ananias came to the newly-converted Saul of Tarsus, his first word was ... method
is very largely responsible for the large percentage of backsliding that one ...
/.../macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter vi preventive against backsliding.htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... of Jonathan to Saul his father, and the civil bonds of the people to Saul their
king ... to the heavens is this, that it were not only a horrible backsliding, but a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

The Perfect Heart.
... happens, that a life of ease and prosperity brought forth in Asa the results of
partial backsliding, we know not ... This was the difference between David and Saul. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter viii the perfect heart.htm

Charity and Rebuke.
... counsel and go and see his brother alone, and tell him his fault"how many would
be saved from backsliding, and how ... What a contrast between Saul and Paul. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter iv charity and rebuke.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... these things, will, contrary to justice, spare him who deserves punishment; as Saul
spared Agag ... Wherefore have my people gone back by a shameless backsliding? ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... Such was Saul's grief, which drove him to the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7).
Evangelical mourning is a ... Daily mourning is a good antidote against backsliding. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... From the history of Saul, subsequent to the change of which we are speaking, we ... how
long a time it does not appear, fell into grievous backsliding, and appears ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

Strong Faith in a Faithful God
... high." You know how graciously he was preserved in the cave, even when Saul was
close ... I am afraid of backsliding, but I think I am more afraid still of growing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/strong faith in a faithful.htm

Saved by Grace;
... (6.) You read of Saul the persecutor, and how he was saved by grace (Acts
9:15). Object. But, thou sayest, I am a backslider. Answ. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/saved by grace.htm

The History Books
... When, for instance, Saul was chosen king, Samuel 'wrote in a book and laid ... order
to stir up their hearers in times of national distress or heart-backsliding. ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter iv the history books.htm