1 Samuel 11:6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.
Again I find myself reading this chapter with a healthy dose of “Wait. What?” This Saul is humble. He is powerfully filled with the Spirit of God. He is decisive and skillful both in galvanizing Israel and in battle. From the looks of it, he could be a good king, a Godly king. So what happens to him?
1 Samuel 11:7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out together as one.
Again commentary gives me insight. “…inwardly Saul defeated the strong and subtle temptations to pride, insecurity, and revenge. But he must continue to fight and win the inward battle….” Saul’s downfall will end up being an inward-fall. He will eventually take his eyes off of God, move his heart away from the One who placed him on the throne. And things will go very, very badly.
1 Samuel 11:12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for Your ability to make Saul a good king, as long as he keeps You at his center. Help me not to lose sight of the lesson here—You can redeem any situation, as long as we keep our eyes and hearts focused on You. Help me to focus, Lord. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Samuel 11:13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.