Kingdom Authority

SAUL

Saul was a descendant of Benjamin whose father Kish is called a mighty man of valor. Now Kish had some donkeys that turned up missing so he sent his son Saul and one of his servants to go looking for the lost donkeys. After doing a search of the area Saul realizes that they have been gone long enough for his father to begin to worry about their safety. Saul was in the land of Zuph and the servant with him happens to know about a man of God who lives in this city and talks Saul into going to see what the man of God, the prophet, has to say. This servant states about Samuel (the man of God) that he is held in high regard and everything he says comes true. What a testimony Samuel had among the people. The problem here is, why didn’t Saul know about Samuel and how come this servant knew everything he did? Obviously Saul’s family was not following the spiritual events of the time and this servant was. This is very important to realize as we progress and look closer at Saul’s calling and his ruling as king. Evidently Saul was out of the loop, not interested in the spiritual happenings of Israel.

Once the servant and Saul come to the city they ask a young woman if Samuel was in the city and the woman tells them he is going up to bless the sacrifice before they eat. The two enter the city and Samuel comes walking toward them on his way to the high place. Saul asks Samuel, 1SA 9:18 …"Please tell me where the seer's house is." Not only does Saul not follow the spiritual happening in Israel but he also has no discernment. He is face to face with the prophet and has no idea that this could be the man of God. It may be a little unfair to pick on Saul for not knowing about Samuel, or for not recognizing the spiritual anointing upon Samuel at their first meeting. This evidence is only important when looking at Saul’s whole life and not an isolated circumstance. For New Testament people it is more important that we recognize the anointing on people more than their positional standing. 2CO 5:16 Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; …. Many people today only recognize one’s position in life and not their spiritual position and anointing. Thankfully the followers of Jesus in the first century did not bow to Pharisees and the Sadducees positional authority but recognized Jesus’ spiritual position and anointing.

Samuel does not waste any time in confirming that he is the prophet and begins to tell him what Saul needs to know. God spoke to Samuel the day before Saul shows up and says He is sending Samuel a man from the land of Benjamin and that he was to anoint him prince (the Hebrew word nehged “prince” actually means “to be in front of” pg 617 B.D.B.)Saul is not being anointed king but prince. He does not yet have the anointing to be the people’s representative but is allowed to begin to take the lead. God also tells Samuel what Saul’s job is, which is to deliver His people from the hand of the Philistines. We will see that Saul has a very short preparation time for the things God called him into. This anointing that he receives at this first meeting with the prophet is just the beginning.

Samuel tells Saul to go up to the high place because he is going to eat with Samuel. He also informs Saul that he will tell him all the things that are on his mind and even says that the donkeys that they have been searching for have been found. Then Samuel says something that shocks Saul. Samuel says, 1SA 9:20 "... And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's household?" Saul was just looking for his father’s donkeys and now this prophet is telling him that everything good in Israel is for him and his family. Saul is obviously shocked at what is said and asks why Samuel is talking to him this way. Saul saw his heritage as a Benjamite as a disadvantage and especially his family as the least in the tribe. This is an encouraging thing for those of us who come from less than notable heritage. God is not interested in only those who are notable but even those who seem invisible.

What happens while at the high place is a type and reference about Saul’s future. Saul is first placed at the head of the table. This references his promotion and exaltation. Secondly he is favored over thirty other men who were invited which points to his destiny to rule. The last and maybe most important is that Samuel calls the cook to bring out that which was reserved for Saul. 1SA 9:24 Then the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here is what has been reserved! Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, since I said I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day. While Samuel had Saul’s portion reserved for only one day it is prophetic of how God reserved what was Saul’s portion for much longer time. The time has come and God is now placing Saul’s destiny before him. God waited for the appointed time before He gave Saul what was reserved for him. God does not work according to our time table but waits until the appointed time and then releases what is reserved for us. If we faint before we reach that place of receiving what God has for us it is not God’s fault.

The following day Samuel awakes Saul so that he may send him off. Samuel asks Saul to send his servant off before him so that he may speak a prophetic word to Saul alone. It is now, before he leaves to go home that Samuel anoints Saul. 1SA 10:1 Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, "Has not the Lord anointed you a ruler over His inheritance? Samuel doesn’t anoint Saul at the feast the day before nor while Saul’s servant is present but while alone. Saul is the only one who knows that he has been anointed by the prophet as a ruler of Israel. If Samuel had done it in the presence of the thirty men he invited to eat the day before there would be someone to back up the story. No one knows who Saul is according to Samuel and he is expected to deal with this revelation and his desires for greatness. I’m sure God uses this time between us knowing who we are and not yet having notoriety for that position as a testing ground. Will we be too proud to follow others or will we push ourselves forward as being someone? It is not easy to wait until the appointed time that God has for us. Joseph knew he was going to be great many years before it actually happened and made the mistake of telling his brothers. We will see how Saul handles the news of his own greatness.

Samuel tells Saul exactly what will happen to him as he heads home so that he would know that everything Samuel spoke concerning him will come true. While it is interesting what actually happens once Saul leaves, it is only important that the prophet’s words are confirmed in the signs. Yet we see an amazing thing in these verses, 1SA 10:5 "Afterward you will come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is; and it shall be as soon as you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and a lyre before them, and they will be prophesying. v6 "Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. Samuel tells Saul that when he meets these prophets (there were more than one in the land) that he will be changed into another man. Many people may not realize the gravity of this situation. Saul did not seek God from his youth, which would have changed him gradually over time but he needed to radically be changed in one instant. Saul did not know that the prophet lived in the city nor did he recognize the anointing upon Samuel when he approached him. He was so far from being the man that God needed him to be that he would be changed in an instant to a totally different man. This is unlike David who worshiped God and come into a personal relationship with Him long before he was to be king. We will see three different ways to enter service as an authority before God. The first is Saul’s way; being changed radically and then in a small amount of time entering a position of authority. The second is David’s, who grew in relationship with God over a long period of time and waited many years for God’s promises. Thirdly is Solomon’s, who did not struggle and yet was anointed to the position. He inherited the position from his father David.

Samuel tells Saul that he is to wait for seven days for him to come and offer sacrifices and tell him what else he is to do but meanwhile he is to “do what the occasion requires: for God is with you.” Samuel does not want Saul just to sit around and do nothing before he comes but he is expected to use his own mind and discretion to do what he thinks is best for God is with him. Samuel is not trying to control Saul but is freely allowing him to follow his own heart. This doesn’t include assuming kingship without Samuel’s and God’s help. Many people think God needs us to push ourselves forward as a prophet, a teacher or an apostle because of the call on our lives but He never wants us to do this. When God gives us authority it is not contingent upon other’s acknowledging it. We are to do what we think is best because God is with us and we should be willing to wait for our public acceptance.

When Saul turned to leave Samuel, scripture states that God changed his heart. It is significant that that God needed to change Saul and we should not see it as a good thing but as a defect. Many of us have been radically saved and yet most of us were not immediately thrust into a position of authority. The apostle Paul was radically saved and yet spent about fourteen years before he was launched off into ministry. Saul was the man God intended to fill this position and his transformation was not going to stop his destiny. It would have been better for Saul to be transformed over a period of time instead of an instant. He may have had a different outcome for his life and reign. We should not be anxious to enter our public destiny too soon or we may find our life to be similar to Saul’s.

When Saul was leaving Samuel, he was told that he would meet a group of prophets and that he would himself prophesy, which has a dual purpose. On the one side it was to confirm all that Samuel had spoken and on the other the fact he would prophesy would start a buzz that began to focus on Saul. 1SA 10:10 When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them. v11 And it came about, when all who knew him previously saw that he prophesied now with the prophets, that the people said to one another, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" v12 And a man there answered and said, "Now, who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb: "Is Saul also among the prophets?" Saul is prophesying and causing a stir among the people because he did not come from a family of prophets. People knew that God was doing something because this guy who was not of a family of prophets is now prophesying.

Once at Gilgal Saul’s uncle asks where he went. Saul down plays the ordeal and just states the facts about the donkeys. He adds when we could not find them we went to Samuel. Saul is on first name basis with Samuel now, when at the beginning he did not even know Samuel existed, or at least it seems that way. His uncle further asks, well what did Samuel say to you? Saul is doing all the right things. He is not allowing the words spoken over him to puff him up in an arrogant way but is taking more of a “wait and see” attitude. He tells his uncle that Samuel told him that the donkeys had been found and nothing else. We don’t know why Saul said nothing more and we don’t know if his uncle had heard what people were saying about Saul (that he was among the prophets) but Saul handled this issue correctly.

Samuel told Saul that he would meet him in Gilgal in seven days and tell him what he is to do. We do not know what happened once Samuel arrived at Gilgal, nor do we know how long it was after the Gilgal meeting that Samuel called the people to gather at Mizpah. It would seem that this all occurred within weeks or months not years. Now at Mizpah Samuel reminds the people of all that God had done to deliver them from not only Egypt but also all the nations and kingdoms that afflicted them. He makes it clear that they are rejecting God by asking for a king and that they are to present themselves by tribe and clan. Samuel knows who God had chosen to be king and yet he knows that the lot will bear this out. The lot chose the tribe of Benjamin, then the family Matrite, and finally Saul the son of Kish. This is confirmation for Samuel that he had heard correctly and was putting the right man into the position of king.

Saul is chosen by lot but he could not be found among the family, so they began looking for him. Samuel inquires of the Lord if he had arrived at Mispah and is told, Saul is hiding near the baggage. This is not the characteristics of a confident man who wants to be great but more of a reluctant ruler. It is clear by his actions that this whole thing is a little overwhelming. This all started when his father lost some donkeys and now he has the responsibility of the nation on his shoulders. He barely had the time to consider all the ramifications of what God was calling him into and what would happen if he failed. Saul is pulled out of his hiding place and he stands literally taller than all the other people. 1SA 10:24 And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? Surely there is no one like him among all the people." So all the people shouted and said, "Long live the king!" Not all the people were happy to have Saul as king. 1SA 10:27 But certain worthless men said, "How can this one deliver us?" And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent. We see Saul’s character even more in this statement. Instead of taking offense and confronting these men he just keeps silent. This is a reasonable response from Saul, considering he had yet proved himself to the people.

Saul goes home after Samuel declared him king and resumed his prior life. He did not go home alone because valiant men whom God touched went with him. It was not long before trouble broke out. Nahash an Ammonite came against Jabesh-gilead and the people of the town told him that if he made a covenant with them they would serve him. Nahash replied that he would only make a covenant if they agreed to allow him to remove everyone’s right eye. This was not agreeable to the town’s people so they sent word throughout Israel to see if anyone would come to their rescue. When a messenger come to Gibeah (the town where Saul lived) he told the people and they began to weep loudly. Saul happened to be coming from the field with two oxen and inquires why the people are weeping. Once he finds out the situation the spirit of God comes upon him and he was very angry. God chose Saul because He knew Saul would defeat the Philistines (1SA 9:16) yet the anointing is not just to make war and win against the Philistines but to defeat any enemy of Israel. The spirit of God came upon Saul, this spirit is the anointing which is the power and authority to accomplish what God intended Saul to accomplish. God does not expect Saul to do it in his own power but God needed someone who had the will to fight and protect the nation.

We should notice that Saul did not seek God’s council nor did he send for Samuel to advise him. He took the oxen and sliced them into pieces and sent them throughout the land with this message, 1SA 11:7 … "Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen." Then the dread of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out as one man. Obviously the people did not want to take the chance of this actually happening to their oxen so they came out in force, 330,000 men. Saul sends messengers to Jabesh-gilead to tell them that tomorrow they would be delivered from Nahash.

After the great victory over Nahash the people asked: who made the statement, “shall Saul reign over us?” that they might kill them. Saul is confronted with a dilemma. He could allow these men to be killed and satisfy the offense directed toward him or he could let them go and take the chance of looking weak. 1SA 11:13 But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished deliverance in Israel." Saul again makes right choices. He does not allow those who said negative things about him to suffer harm but instead honors God, realizing that He won the victory. Samuel instead views this as an opportunity to reconfirm the fact before all of Israel that Saul is the one called, chosen, and empowered to be the king. After the ceremony and peace offerings Samuel says, 1SA 12:1 … "Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and I have appointed a king over you” And now, here is the king walking before you …. Samuel realizes that Saul is now fully recognized as the king over Israel and his time of judging Israel has come to an end.

Samuel does not try to hold on to his position but freely states that he is an old man. He calls all Israel to bear witness to what he had done while judging and asks if he defrauded anyone, for if he did he will gladly repay. The people state that Samuel did nothing wrong. Samuel calls God to witness that the people declare him innocent of any wrong doing. Samuel does not stop there but reminds the people that it was God who brought them out of Egypt and helped their fathers. He even tells them God sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan and Jephthah as well as Samuel to deliver them from their enemies. God was your king but you wanted a human king and so here he is, God listened to your voice. In 1 Samuel 12 Samuel makes it clear that the asking for a king was not a wise move but God complied with their desire anyway. It’s interesting to note how many people today want to be king of a congregation, a denomination, group or country. To God it is less than perfect, something acceptable but not advisable.

The lack of spiritual training and history Saul possesses is seen just two years after he is instituted as the king of Israel. Saul gathers all Israel together at Gilgal in order to fight the Philistines. The Philistines that gathered were “thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horseman, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude.” The Israelites see that they are outnumbered and out classed so badly that they flee and hide themselves. According to scripture Israel did not even have a black smith living within the land and did not know how to sharpen their own equipment. Samuel told Saul that he would come and offer sacrifice in seven days for the favor of God but Saul buckled under the pressure of the situation. Saul waited the seven days but was unwilling to wait for Samuel’s arrival and decides to make the sacrifice to God himself.

Some people may say Saul’s mistake in this situation is offering a sacrifice while not being a Levite. It is true that scripture states only sons of Aaron were able to operate as priest of God and any others would suffer death at the mere approach to God with an unqualified offering. It is a serious thing to rearrange God’s laws and yet what about Samuel? I stated earlier that Samuel is in fact a Levite but not one of Aaron’s sons (his heritage pointed to Kohath) and therefore not qualified to be a priest. So how is it that Samuel can make sacrifices to God and not be judged while Saul will be? Some may say because Eli obviously allowed him to do it therefore it is his sin not Samuel’s. God judged Eli the same day He judged Eli’s sons for being corrupt and yet nowhere in the scripture does it state how Samuel attained to the priesthood. If we would say that he was trained as a priest, or that he was dedicated to God by his mother, or because Eli made that decision, or even that his prophetic ability gave him that right, why would God make a point in saying only Aaron’s sons would be priests? I believe all of these explanations fall short of the reality of spiritual things. We see David eating the bread of the priest which only the priests were suppose to be able to eat and yet David was not judged for doing it, why? I believe that David as well as Samuel saw beyond their spiritual dispensation. They knew God well enough to know that God would allow them by faith to do things people of the next dispensation would be allowed to do. Of course the next dispensation is one of grace not law so we are able to experience priesthood now, REV 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” This explanation may not cover all possibilities of why Samuel was allowed by God to offer the sacrifice and not Saul, but one thing is certain, Saul lacked in his faith toward God.

The real issue with Saul is that he feared the Philistines and the situation. He did not have faith that God would deliver him but feared the Philistines would defeat him and Israel. He could only see this outward sacrifice as assurance of his victory. This is very sad because our confidence in God is not about outward manifestations. We please God by our faith in the relationship we have with Him. If we have a poor or no relationship with God we cannot have confidence that God will protect and defend us when we need Him to. This is really the point that differentiates authentic spiritual leaders from the fake. This doesn’t mean the fake have not been placed there by God but that they do not know where true authority proceeds from. Saul is displaying his inadequate preparation and lack of relationship before he was called. This is why his lack of knowledge about Samuel and inability to discern anointing as well as being changed into a different person was important to point out in the beginning of his story.

Saul makes the burnt offering and the peace offering and as soon as he finished Samuel shows up. Now Samuel knew he made the offering before he got there because his first words spoken to Saul is, “what hast thou done?” If Saul had any spiritual discernment he would have sensed not to make the offering but would have waited for Samuel. Two years after being anointed king and changed into a different person and he still hasn’t grown in his relationship with God. He tells Samuel that he was fearful and 1SA 13:12 … So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering." He forced himself to do what he knew he should not have done. There was no excuse that would make it right for he went against his better judgment and offered the sacrifices Samuel was to offer.

Another problem that Saul is displaying here is his assumption that as king he had authority to do whatever needed to be done. God hates when people transgress others authority. Saul is stepping on Samuel’s authority. Each person has authority and when we step on others authority God is never pleased. Saul had political and maybe even judicial authority over the state of Israel but he had no religious authority whatsoever. People in positional authority need to understand the extent of their authority so that others are not hindered but allowed freedom to operate in areas of their authority.

Samuel berates Saul as being disobedient to God’s command. 1SA 13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. What command of God? We cannot fully know what Samuel is talking about because there is no clear record of any command of God that was made to Saul about this war that was brewing. We can only point to the message that Samuel spoke to all the people of Israel after the reconfirmation of Saul at Gilgal.

1SA 12:13 "Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the Lord has set a king over you. v14 "If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the Lord, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God. v15 "And if you will not listen to the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the command of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers. Samuel’s right to offer sacrifices as a priest has been established probably from his youth. It was overseen by Eli and for some reason allowed by God. His right to the offering of sacrifices is not an issue that recorded history was concerned about because there is no evidence. Saul’s presumption when he offered the sacrifices in lieu of Samuel is recorded. The scripture quoted above warns not only the people but Saul himself to heed the voice and command of God. It further warns that failure to heed God’s voice will result in God being against you. Some may state that the command that Saul ignored came from not listening to Samuel the PROPHET. I prefer to take a more pragmatic point of view. Samuel warned everyone to listen to the voice and commands of God, which as we know are first and foremost those things that God’s written word states. God’s voice and command’s are those things which are written that have found a home in what is called the Holy Scripture. This Holy Scripture was required to be publicly read by the priests to the people so that they would have knowledge of what it said. (Deut 31:11) It is no mystery that God expected His word to be obeyed. Even though Samuel was not a Levite from Aaron’s linage somehow he was permitted to make sacrifices to God while Saul is not permitted. Saul couldn’t even make an excuse of being a Levite of the wrong family like Samuel because he is a Benjaminite. Saul’s offense was disobedience to the written word more than any direction Samuel had given him. The fact that Saul states that I force myself to make the sacrifice is further evidence that he had an inward witness not to do it. It is not so much a disobedient act against what the prophet said as it was against God’s law. If the King wasn’t going to be obedient to God’s law why should the people be obedient to it? At the very least he should have listened to the inward voice telling him not to do it. Samuel’s words come back to bite Saul in the rear for Samuel states because of it God is now against him. Saul could have established his kingdom beyond his rule but God is now saying through the prophet that it will die with him.

Samuel takes time to remind the people that it was never God’s intention for them to have a king. He states plainly that when they needed someone to accomplish a job God would raise up someone to do it. (1 Sa 12:10-11) Samuel makes sure that the people realize that from the very beginning God always protected them and that He would have continued without a king. It amazes me that people today think that everyone needs someone to rule over them when it really is not God’s intention. Samuel makes sure the people know that he is not just talking foolishness by telling them that having a king was not God’s idea. Samuel calls for thunder and rain to occur as evidence of Saul being established as their king.

Jonathan, Saul’s son. decides to cross over to the Philistine line and see if God would give him victory. Jonathan reasoned that God is 1SA 14:6 “… not restrained to save by many or by few." It is this kind of faith that God looks for when choosing people to work for Him and so Jonathan and his armor bearer head to the Philistine outpost. Jonathan’s faith is a good contrast to the doubt and unbelief of Saul which forced him to offer the sacrifice. Jonathan and his armor bearer in faith go up and kill about twenty men of the Philistines which sent fear throughout their ranks. The fear of the Philistines was compounded by the earth shaking as well, no doubt a divine earth quake. This confusion among the Philistines finally gets Saul’s attention and he does a quick count and finds his son missing. Saul calls the priests to bring the ark of God to him and while speaking with the priest Saul realizes that the confusion in the enemy’s camp has become so great that he tells the priest to stop so that they could rally and fight with Jonathan and his armor bearer. It is interesting to notice that Saul’s inclination was to be religious and have the ark and priest do some religious thing. He had already sought God with sacrifices, what need is there to do anymore? I’m sure that Samuel’s response to Saul’s sacrifice left him feeling a little insecure about where he and God stood. The outgrowth of Saul’s foolish actions caused him to try and fix the relationship with God by putting all the men under an oath. 1SA 14:24 Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food. One mistake turns into multiple mistakes until things are out of control. This oath binds all the men who are exerting themselves in physical battle from replenishing their strength with food. The record describes the ignorance of such an act by stating that the men were hard-pressed. Who was Saul trying to please by making such an oath? Certainly it was not God. Saul was probably trying to appear righteous and honorable to the people through this oath. Instead of honor Saul brings dishonor and trouble to Israel.

Jonathan finds honey and eats it not knowing that his father put everyone under the oath. The men standing by knowing about the oath tell Jonathan that his father charged them by oath saying, “cursed be the man that eateth any food this day.” KJV Now Jonathan doesn’t just tremble in fear or back down from criticizing his father but says, 1SA 14:29 …"My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great." Did Jonathan say anything that was inaccurate? No! Why should he be afraid or not speak that which is true even though it was against the anointed and appointed king? Jonathan speaks his mind knowing that if this foolish oath had not been enacted they would really have slaughtered the Philistines. This is not the end of this situation.

The men were so hard pressed because of the oath that they took their enemies livestock as plunder and slaughtered them improperly and begin to eat them with the blood. 1SA 14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, "Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood." … v34 And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, 'Each one of you bring me his ox or his sheep, and slaughter it here and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.'" So all the people that night brought each one his ox with him, and slaughtered it there. So the result of Saul’s oath is not just hindering the armies from annihilating their enemy but caused the men to sin against God. It could be said that Saul did not force the men to eat incorrectly so it wasn’t his fault yet this may not have happened if it hadn’t been for his foolish oath.

Saul decides to attack at night and the priest say, “Let us draw near to God here.” So Saul decides to ask God if He would deliver the Philistines into Israel’s hands but God does not answer Saul. Saul realizes that there is someone who sinned in the camp because God is not answering. Saul calls the forces to draw near so that he could get to the bottom of who sinned. Jonathan is not exempted from the oath that Saul made even though he was not aware of it. Saul has the right and authority to declare such things even though the oath was foolish and all the people have a responsibility to obey. Saul’s pompous attitude is seen in what he states next about the one who has sinned. 1SA 14:39 "For as the Lord lives, who delivers Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die." But not one of all the people answered him. I’m sure that Saul did not for a moment think that it was Jonathan who sinned. Saul even went so far to declare the judgment of the one who had sinned. Some of the men knew that the issue was what Jonathan had done and yet they don’t say a word about it.

Saul’s rash and ignorant actions started with the offering and has yet to find their conclusion. He divides the people from him and Jonathan and cast a lot which falls on him and his son. The second lot fell on Jonathan and Saul questions him about what he had done. 1SA 14:43 …So Jonathan told him and said, "I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am, I must die!" Saul is backed into a corner because he foolishly declared what will happen to the person who sinned. It is easy to declare destruction over our neighbors but not so easy over our children. Saul is still not done speaking foolishly. 1SA 14:44 And Saul said, "May God do this to me and more also, for you shall surely die, Jonathan." I would think by this time Saul would be understanding that to make such declarations is just downright stupid and should not be done. What does this newest declaration do? This declaration places Saul under the punishment of death if Jonathan is allowed to live; fortunately God doesn’t have to obey Saul’s words concerning what He should do.

The people rescue Jonathan from death with their own declaration that opposes Saul’s. 1SA 14:45 But the people said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die. The people are defying the king by stating they are not going to allow him to have Jonathan killed. The people understood that God through Jonathan defeated the Philistines and that to kill him for some menial oath was just not going to happen. How could the people get away with opposing the appointed and anointed king? We need to ask who the king represents, God or the people? If God then Jonathan should die but if the people then they have a greater voice then the king has. The king represents the people not God. The priests and prophets are the representatives of God to a greater degree than the king. The judges of Israel much like the king represents God when they are judging right and wrong. The judiciary represents the people more when it comes to the affairs of state. While there are real similarities to the judges and the king we also see some differences. There was no royal class of judges or any passing of their authority to their sons. Judges were a temporary appointment to correct the waywardness of the people and to drive off advancing armies. So we see the people overruling Saul’s oath and Jonathan survived his father’s foolish actions.

Saul finally does a wise thing and decides to end the day on a positive note and he and the armies of Israel goes home. This allows the Philistines likewise to go home which makes Jonathan’s words even more relevant. Jonathan stated that, "My father has troubled the land. … For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great." Positional authority has real power to cause all kinds of trouble when they are foolish and really do not understand what authority is.

Chapter fifteen of the first book of Samuel begins with Samuel speaking to Saul a prophetic word about the Amalekites. Samuel starts off reminding Saul that it was him that God sent to establish Saul over Israel. Why would Samuel have to do this? Obviously Saul has become arrogant to a point where he thinks he doesn’t have any need for Samuel. Yet Samuel reminds Saul of the fact he was sent to establish Saul and then he tells him to hear what God has to say. Samuel had to remind Saul that he is a prophet and that he really needs to listen to him about what God is now saying. This seems like it should be totally unnecessary for Samuel to do yet Saul will fail to listen or heed the warning making this necessary.

Samuel states, 1SA 15:2 "Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. v3 'Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’" God is very precise about what he wants Saul to do. God doesn’t want any mercy shown to Amalek or to even the animals but He wants all living things utterly destroyed. It is interesting to note how long God allowed Amalek to thrive before He tells Israel to take their revenge. It was approximately 400 years earlier that Joshua fought Amalek while Moses stood over it holding up the staff of God. So God commissions Saul to execute judgment upon a 400 year offense against them.

The Amalekites are believed to be descendants of Esau, actually Esau’s grandson. GEN 36:12 And Timna was a concubine of Esau's son Eliphaz and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz…. Now if this is the case then when Amalek attacked Israel they were attacking their relatives but there is no reference to this being the case. It could be that because he came from a concubine it made him less than an actual legal son or that Eliphaz, Esau’s son, never fully recognized Amalek as a legal son. Whichever the case may be the Amalekites do not find the favor with God that Edom (Esau’s descendants), or Ammon and Moab (Lot’s descendants) found before God. GEN 36:8, DEU 2:5, DEU 2:9, DEU 2:19 It is interesting to note God’s respect for the family authority that actually comes from those who are central to the gospel stories and how willing He is to give them every opportunity to behave righteously before they are destroyed.

Saul sets up an ambush against the Amalikites and tells the Kenites, who are living with the Amalikites, that they should leave so that they are not also destroyed. The Kenites are descendants of Moses father-in-law. JDG 1:16 Saul recognizes the good that Moses’ father-in-law did for Israel and states that is the reason he will allow them to leave. The Kenites leave and Saul’s troops destroy everything that is worthless and all the people but allow king Agag and the best of the livestock to live.

Samuel made it clear to Saul saying God wanted everything destroyed and even went to the extreme by reminding Saul that he was the one who God chose to establish Saul as king over Israel. Arrogance and pride because of a position will always lead to our down fall. 1SA 15:10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, v11 "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not carried out My commands." And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the Lord all night. v12 And Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul; and it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal." v13 And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the Lord! I have carried out the command of the Lord." What arrogance and pride we see from this man, Saul. Saul doesn’t set up a monument to God but to himself and he is so full of himself that when he meets Samuel he declares as a matter of fact that he carried out the commands of God. We humans are so prone to arrogance and pride. How many of us see the churches that we are pastoring as our monuments? Saul failed to follow Samuel’s words to the letter and because of covetousness allowed the best of the livestock to live. He explains to Samuel that he spared the animal for a sacrifice to God.

1SA 15:17 And Samuel said, "Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the Lord anointed you king over Israel, v18 and the Lord sent you on a mission, and said,' Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated.' Samuel explains to Saul several things in the above scripture verses. The first thing that Samuel addresses was Saul’s prior opinion of himself. Not only was Saul disconnected from the spiritual events in the land of Israel he had no self esteem as seen by the statement “little in your own eyes.” We may think that this is an asset when choosing people to lead us but it is not. Saul was so deficient of character that God had to change him into a different man before he was established as king. We really need to understand these issues if we want the best out of our leaders. Yet Samuel tells Saul, God made you king over Israel even though you were this deficient man and sent you on a mission. This mission was to annihilate the Amalekites not just beat them into submission. Saul in the perception of obedience declares, 1SA 15:20 … "I did obey the voice of the Lord, and went on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. v21 "But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal." Saul did obey God to some degree and even is correct when he said I went on the mission and did destroy the Amalekites though this was not the whole mission. Samuel said to Saul initially; Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.' The word Samuel gave to Saul was to destroy everything that the Amalekites have and all their livestock. Saul of course makes an excuse for not following the prophetic word by blaming the people for sparing the animals.

Saul cannot escape responsibility for this situation that easily. He is king over Israel and as such he possesses the power to punish and even kill anyone who is disobedient to his command. We have already seen Saul put the people under an oath not to eat any food which almost resulted in Jonathan’s death. It is possible that this is a reaction to his prior foray that seemed to be littered with mistakes. Saul goes from one mistake ridden situation to another. He may have reasoned that he is not guilty because the people did it not him. This brings us to a set of scriptures that people love to quote as regarding the rank and file follower of Christ. 1SA 15:22 And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. v23 "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king." Samuel states these facts to not just anyone but the king God established over all of Israel. There is truth in this that is relevant to the lowliest of Christians but it is far more important an issue for those in positions of power.

We have already spoken of political and judicial power and how these were established and evidenced in Israel, now we must understand that God is addressing His displeasure to him who stands in these positions over Israel. Saul has failed to honor God’s authority as being a person in authority. The fault lays with Saul not the people and Saul will bear the consequences. If those in authority refuse to obey Him how can God expect rank and file followers to be obedient to Him? There is also the fact that as the authority over the land his actions and sins become liable to the whole land and not just Saul himself. God in this situation spares Israel from having to bear the sin of Saul and just decides to punish Saul for this transgression.

It is not the easiest thing for us to understand when we talk about everything and everyone under our authority will suffer because of our sin and weaknesses. This is easily seen in the physical world when we talk about a father or mother who may gamble uncontrollably or are drunks, prostitutes or criminals. The children they have suffer for every mistake and stupid choice they make. Parents control the tenor of their house and influence the attitude of their children. It is not much different for the king of a nation to influence the nation. There are spiritual ramifications that are released upon a nation when leadership acts foolishly. We will see this principle at play in King David’s life. So when Samuel corrected Saul concerning God not wanting physical sacrifices but obedience, he was not just concerned for Saul but for the whole nation. That is why this statement wasn’t directed towards just anyone but at the head leader of the nation.

Saul tells Samuel that he did sin and asks for forgiveness. Saul as well asks for Samuel to return with him so he could worship God. Samuel tells Saul; 1SA 15:26 … "I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel."

God rejected his family from being established as king over Israel now God is rejecting Saul as king. Samuel not having anything else to say turns to leave and Saul grabs his robe and it tore. Samuel quickly discerning the mind of God tells Saul that this very incident is characteristic of the fact that God tore the kingdom from his hand this day and was going to give it to someone else. 1SA 15:28 So Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you. v29 "And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind." Samuel places the nails in his prophetic word by saying God is not going to change his mind. Saul cannot sacrifice or humble himself back into favor.

Saul again asks Samuel to return with him so he can worship God. Saul freely states that he sinned but requests that Samuel honor him before his people. Samuel complies with Saul’s request. Why did Samuel honor Saul? He clearly had no intention of doing it seeing he told Saul at his first request that he would not return with him. So what caused Samuel to change his mind? Was it purely that Saul was the top authority over Israel? What if Samuel did not go with Saul, would it have displeased God? Was it because there was unfinished business with Agag king of the Amalekites? There is no way to really tell why Samuel returned and honored Saul. Returning did provide a very interesting view of this man of God who hacks to death Agag with a sword. We may find this repulsive but men of God should not be feminized to the point where we are afraid to take drastic action if it is called for. Christians live under the influence of Mormonism which is non-violent but this is certainly not scriptural.

1SA 15:35 And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel. What a sad commentary on a man who was the chosen and anointed man for the hour. His lack of preparation and ignorance concerning spiritual things are magnified at the end of his life more than the beginning. Those who have position should know that just because you have been chosen supernaturally and had some spectacular experiences with God doesn’t mean that your end will be any better than Saul’s. Saul’s story is far from over even though it is at this point that God rejects this man from his greater purposes. 1SA 13:1 Saul was forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-two years over Israel. Some believe it was as little as fifteen years at this point that Saul was king over Israel. If this is true then more than half of Saul’s kingship was performed as one who is rejected by God. It is a fallacy to think that just because we are in a position of power we have God’s blessing and his backing. It wouldn’t be accurate to say that God forsook Saul to the point of harm to Israel even though Saul is no longer embraced by God. God called Saul to do a job and just because he cannot follow God’s commands to the point where God will honor him doesn’t mean he still doesn’t have the ability to carry out the purposes for being called. We see this type of thing in many churches where the leadership for a period of time can bring God’s will for the church even though the person leading it is less than what they should be. God’s rejection doesn’t mean instant removal. This is even apparent in government where a president or ruler will gain power only to bring judgment upon the land so that people will repent. It was not God’s will to establish a king over Israel.

1SA 16:1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons." God tells Samuel fill your horn with oil and anoint the next king. God is selecting a king for himself. God wants someone who will represent His interests and do according to His dictates. Samuel however makes a statement reflecting the height Saul has fallen in his judgment. 1SA 16:2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me…." Samuel is afraid that he will die doing God’s will and tells God about it. Samuel knows that Saul is not godly but a hateful and murderous dictator. God doesn’t say; “Samuel you’re mistaken, Saul will not kill you, but take an animal and go make sacrifice to Me.” God knows that Saul is unstable and willing to kill His anointed prophet and so gives Samuel an excuse that Saul will not question.

God instructs Samuel to invite Jesse to the sacrifice and to anoint the one I tell you to. Samuel goes to Bethlehem and the elders of the city approach Samuel in fear asking if he came in peace. These elders knew that when the prophet shows up it is not always for good reasons. Samuel tells them that he is there to sacrifice to God and that they should consecrate themselves along with Jesse and his sons. Once everyone attending this event was prepared and gathered together Samuel looks around and sees Eliab and thinks, obviously this is the one the Lord will choose to take Saul’s place. The Lord however mildly rebukes Samuel and informs him that this is not the man. 1SA 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." God states the obvious about men’s ideas and their judgments. We must note that it was Samuel, an old prophet of God who faithfully carried out all that God asked him to, who made this soulish judgment. If an anointed prophet, judge and priest cannot judge correctly after many years of faithful service what chance do we have? There are people who think you have to talk a certain way or have a refined attitude and manners in order to represent God. God however states I don’t look at the outward man but his intentions and motives. What was it that God saw in Saul to choose him?