Monday, 18 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Saul

The donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” 1 Samuel 9:1

Saul leaves his house one morning muttering about how he has to go find his Dad’s stupid donkeys again. Three days of futile searching later the donkeys are still missing and out of desperation he goes to Samuel, Israel’s prophet. Samuel informs him the donkeys have been found and btw he’s been chosen by God to be the first King of Israel!

Wow! That was unexpected!

Tuesday, 19 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Saul

Finally, Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. So they inquired of the Lord, “Has Saul arrived yet?”

And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

This is a comedy start to Saul’s reign. All of Israel is at the inauguration ceremony to meet their new (and first) King and he’s hiding in the baggage…!

It’s also a sad beginning. The crowd want a King so much they don’t seem to care that Saul’s character is weak and that his insecurities run so deep that he is unable to trust God to equip him as King.

Wednesday, 20 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Saul

Saul waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 1 Samuel 13:8-9

Waiting for God’s timing is hard. We can feel powerless, restless and irritable relying on God to come through for us. We have a tendency to become impatient like Saul and try to bribe God to act earlier! This is why Saul offers up the burnt offerings himself rather than wait longer for Samuel. He doesn’t realise that waiting builds confidence in God…

Thursday, 21 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Saul

Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.” 1 Samuel 15:24

Is Saul’s apology sincere?

Let’s go through his steps together:

First, Saul acknowledges he’s done wrong. Second, he states what it is he’s done wrong (i.e. disobey God and Samuel). Third, he tries to justify his actions and even shift some of the blame on to the people…

Sincere repentance is when we take full responsibility for our sinful actions; it doesn’t include step 3.

Friday, 22 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Saul

As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 1 Samuel 15:27

Samuel has just told Saul that God has rejected him as King over Israel and Saul, shall we say, doesn’t react well to the news!

Sadly, this is the story of Saul’s life: he was never in sync with God. He never gave himself fully in faith to God, resisting first becoming King and now, ironically, resisting letting go of his Kingship.

Saturday, 23 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Saul

Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel much better, and the distressing spirit would leave him. 1 Samuel 16:23

The key words in this verse are relief and feeling better… God is allowing, even causing, a troubling spirit to plague Saul in the hope that Saul would turn back to God and properly repent of his disobedience. Saul, though, is obviously not interested. He is unwilling to fix his relationship with God and instead seeks for ways to mask his pain.

Sunday, 24 February 2008 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Saul

David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled its, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall!” But David eluded him twice.

Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had left Saul.

From here on in Saul’s story becomes a sad tale of rebellion, paranoia and breakdown as he tries repeatedly to kill David. His inability to do so here scares him… David should have been an easy target unarmed and playing a harp, but God helps David elude Saul’s spear, twice.

Saul is aware that God is with David, but has left him. However, he makes no move to come back to God...