The anger of God is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, often manifesting as divine judgment against disobedience and rebellion. One of the most poignant examples of God's anger is seen in the life of Saul, the first king of Israel. Saul's reign, which began with promise, ultimately ended in tragedy due to his repeated disobedience to God's commands.

Saul's Disobedience and Rejection

Saul's initial disobedience is recorded in 1 Samuel 13. As the Philistines gathered to fight against Israel, Saul grew impatient waiting for the prophet Samuel to arrive and offer sacrifices. Taking matters into his own hands, Saul offered the burnt offering himself, violating the commandment that only a priest or prophet should perform such rites. When Samuel arrived, he rebuked Saul, saying, "You have acted foolishly," and declared that Saul's kingdom would not endure (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

The anger of God against Saul is further exemplified in 1 Samuel 15. God commanded Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites, including all their livestock. However, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, rationalizing his disobedience by claiming the animals were to be sacrificed to the Lord. Samuel confronted Saul, declaring, "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" (1 Samuel 15:22). As a result of Saul's disobedience, God rejected him as king, stating, "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions" (1 Samuel 15:11).

The Spirit of the Lord Departs from Saul

The anger of God is further demonstrated by the withdrawal of His Spirit from Saul. In 1 Samuel 16:14, it is recorded, "Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him" . This departure signified God's judgment and the loss of divine favor, leaving Saul vulnerable to spiritual and emotional turmoil.

Saul's Continued Downfall

Saul's continued rebellion against God is evident in his relentless pursuit of David, whom God had chosen to succeed him. Despite David's loyalty, Saul's jealousy and paranoia drove him to seek David's life, further alienating himself from God's will. Saul's inability to submit to God's plan and his persistent disobedience exemplify the consequences of incurring divine anger.

Saul's Final Days

The culmination of God's anger against Saul is seen in his final battle against the Philistines. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul, desperate for guidance, sought out a medium to summon the spirit of Samuel, an act explicitly forbidden by God. Samuel's spirit foretold Saul's impending doom, declaring that the Lord had turned against him and that both he and his sons would fall in battle (1 Samuel 28:16-19).

Saul's tragic end came to pass in 1 Samuel 31, where he fell on his own sword to avoid capture by the Philistines. His death marked the end of his reign and the fulfillment of God's judgment against him for his persistent disobedience and failure to heed divine instruction.

Through the life of Saul, the Scriptures vividly illustrate the anger of God against those who reject His commands and the severe consequences that follow. Saul's account serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience and the perils of incurring divine wrath.1 Samuel 31:6
So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... We know how David, through the just anger of God ... to overlook the glorious perfections
which God displays in ... The former is exemplified when we consider how great ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... the fierceness of his wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled ... quits his charge, and
their guardian God becomes the ... We see this exemplified in the history of the ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

From the Conference of 1773 to the Commencement of the War in 1776
... These suspicions, however, though not yet exemplified in any open ... a bearing upon
the work of God, foreseeing the ... let there be no bitterness or anger, but no ...
/.../chapter 1 from the conference.htm

Of Civil Government.
... they are enjoined not to provoke to anger, and by ... duty, this ought especially to
be exemplified in the ... and inclinations of kingdoms.65 [691] "God standeth in ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The Seventh Book
... they by their abuse have labored to arouse his anger. ... words of our Lord were clearly
exemplified in us ... point further, since the judgment of God is constantly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... own shame by their sin, and God his anger, by taking of ... ones in England is to swear
by God, Christ, faith ... him for being a bloody man, that is, against the house ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

St. Malachy's Apostolic Labours, Praises and Miracles.
... also a woman whom a spirit of anger and fury ... By the will of God it happened that
Malachy arrived ... be appointed, according to prevalent custom, exemplified in the ...
/.../chapter vi st malachys apostolic.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... its cure, [1056]316; the fear of God best quenches it ... than love of money, [1061]389;
or anger, [1062]389 ... therefore excusable but to be watched against, [1064]389 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... to come to all who believe in God and hope ... only faith but prophecy as well is
exemplified in this ... rid of all pretensions and arrogance and silliness and anger. ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... their cost; for they have been almost ever since a banished people, and such as
have had God's sore displeasure wonderfully manifested against them, according ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

How can I know for sure that my anger is righteous indignation? | GotQuestions.org

Was Jesus ever angry? | GotQuestions.org

Does God get angry? | GotQuestions.org

Anger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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