Topical Bible: Forsaking God: Saul

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Saul, the first king of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose life serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of forsaking God. His reign, which began with promise and divine favor, ultimately ended in tragedy due to his disobedience and failure to adhere to God's commands.

Anointed by God

Saul's journey began with divine selection. The prophet Samuel anointed him as king, 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 anointing signified God's choice and blessing, setting him apart to lead Israel.

Initial Success and Favor

Initially, Saul enjoyed success and favor. He led Israel to victory against the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11) and was confirmed as king by the people. His early reign was marked by military triumphs and a strong sense of divine support. However, Saul's reliance on God began to wane as he faced challenges that tested his faith and obedience.

Disobedience and Rejection

Saul's forsaking of God is most evident in two key incidents. The first occurred during a battle with the Philistines. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul grew impatient waiting for Samuel to offer a sacrifice and took it upon himself to perform the priestly duty. Samuel rebuked him, saying in 1 Samuel 13:13-14 , "You have acted foolishly... your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart."

The second incident involved God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Saul disobeyed by sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock. Samuel confronted Saul, declaring in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 , "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... Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king."

Spiritual Decline and Torment

Following these acts of disobedience, Saul's spiritual decline accelerated. The Spirit of the LORD departed from him, and he was tormented by an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14). Saul's inability to seek genuine repentance and his continued reliance on his own understanding led to further alienation from God.

Pursuit of David

Saul's forsaking of God is further illustrated in his relentless pursuit of David, whom God had chosen as his successor. Consumed by jealousy and fear, Saul repeatedly sought to kill David, despite David's loyalty and refusal to harm Saul. This pursuit demonstrated Saul's departure from God's will and his inability to recognize God's hand in David's life.

End of Saul's Reign

Saul's reign ended in despair and defeat. In his final battle against the Philistines, Saul was wounded and ultimately took his own life to avoid capture (1 Samuel 31). His death marked the tragic conclusion of a king who, despite being chosen by God, forsook the divine path through disobedience and self-reliance.

Saul's life serves as a somber reminder of the importance of obedience to God and the dangers of forsaking His guidance. His account is a testament to the consequences of prioritizing personal desires over divine commands, illustrating the spiritual and temporal downfall that can result from turning away from God.

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

David's Cry for Purity
... concerning him, that 'the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an ... his raven
hair, left him, and he stood God-forsaken because he stood God-forsaking. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/davids cry for purity.htm

The Doctrine of God
... It is His mercy that forbids his permanently forsaking His people. ... God is always
mindful of His own. Saul of Tarsus learned this truth on the way to Damascus. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

The Great Privilege of those that are Born of God
... at Antioch, as to be selected with Saul out of all ... and Teachers, for the work whereunto
God had called ... and sailed unto Cyprus;" (Acts 15:39; ) forsaking him to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 19 the great privilege.htm

The Fountain of Grace.
... No sinner would ever have sought his God but 'by ... Saul would have lived and died the
haughty self-righteous ... We have often been a Peter"forsaking our Lord, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter i the fountain of.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... from him; thus warning us against forsaking him, by ... reason, also, the spirit which
tormented Saul is said to ... plagues of Egypt were inflicted by God through the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... Saul had the spirit of prophecy. ... of the ministry to civilise, but there may be a
forsaking of sin ... a man may forsake sin, not out of respect to God's glory, but ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

City of God
... the Account of Terah's Emigration, on His Forsaking the Chaldeans ... Thereafter of the
Kings, of Whom Saul Was the ... At What Time the Promise of God Was Fulfilled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

Hebrews x. 19-23
... "Not forsaking the assembling ... too, the blessed Moses was willing to be blotted out
of God's book for ... done?" (See 2 Samuel 24:17.) And when he had Saul in his ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xix hebrews x 19-23.htm

Refutation of the Jews
... Certainly he had been sought by Saul, but he was preserved ... the whole earth is filled
with the knowledge of God, and the Gentiles, forsaking atheism, are ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm

To those who had not Attended the Assembly.
... sun and a little short lived heat and toil, and forsaking the assembly ... for slaughter
averted him from it: for he bethought him that God had put Saul in his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/to those who had not.htm