By David Ettinger
Everything Going for Him
If the word “potential” ever applied to one man of the Bible, it was Saul.
Physically, Saul had everything going for him. Scripture tells us he was “as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel” (1 Samuel 9:2). If that were not enough, Saul “was a head taller than anyone else” (same verse). And if those two attributes were insufficient, add to this that God appointed Saul, at the young age of 30, as Israel’s first king.

His first two years on the throne were remarkable, culminating with the rescue of the city of Jabesh Gilead, a town east of the Jordan River in the tribal territory of Manasseh. The wicked Ammonites had come to attack the outnumbered city. The people of Jabesh Gilead offered to subject themselves to the Ammonites in return for their lives.[1] This was not good enough for Nahash, Ammon’s king, who blustered: “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel” (1 Samuel 11:2).
Jabesh Gilead told Saul about its dilemma and he responded in a stunning way: “The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together” (v. 11).
It was Saul’s first military victory and it was spectacular. All of Israel celebrated[2] and the people loved their new king. It was Saul’s finest moment. Indeed, Saul had everything going for him. The problem with this was that Saul was still in his early 30s and would remain king until age 70. A little early to be hitting one’s peak.
His Downfall
However, Saul crumbled. Over the years, he became an arrogant, egotistical, and murderous monarch who lived only to serve his own interests. Though he began humbly, his pride and ego got the better of him, and he constantly fueled them. He defended his kingship at all costs and imposed his will as he saw fit, God’s wishes but a distant consideration.

It all came to a head about 27 years into his reign when he disobeyed God’s explicit command to “attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys” (1 Samuel 15:3, italic added).
Despite this clear charge, Saul spared Amalek’s king Agag[3] and the best of the animals.[4] Regarding Agag, it is likely Saul wanted to parade the defeated monarch before his subjects, as if to say, “See what I have done? I have defeated the Amalekites, and I have their king to prove it.” Sparing the choice animals was a sign of covetousness – he saw, he desired, he seized.
It was the final straw for the Lord, who announced that Saul’s “dynasty” would end with him and be given to someone else.[5] Saul would spend the final 13 years of his reign tirelessly attempting to preserve the throne by assuring it go to his son Jonathan, and seeking to hunt down and kill his God-anointed successor, David.
Learn From Saul
So, where did Saul go wrong? The answer lies in his relationship with God – which was nil. Whereas his son Jonathan honored God, and his general David was a man after God’s own heart,[6] Saul never showed any such inclination. Instead, he believed that God’s mercy could be secured by one timely sacrifice, his wrath appeased by one well-placed prayer of supplication.

Saul was called to great things, but pettiness, envy, hatred, disregard for God and destructive egotism proved his tragic undoing.
Don’t let Saul’s downfall be your downfall. Keep your relationship with the Lord alive and vibrant through daily prayer and reading of His Word. Never let spiritual victories go to your head, and never regard your salvation as something earned or deserved. Always look to accomplish God’s will, not yours, and live your life to please Him, not yourself.
Whenever you begin to think just a little too much of yourself, take some time out and reflect on Saul and his fate. This ought to sober you up in a hurry!
[1] 1 Samuel 11:1
[2] 1 Samuel 11:15
[3] 1 Samuel 15:8
[4] 1 Samuel 15:9
[5] 1 Samuel 15:28
[6] 1 Samuel 13:14
Blue Collar Theologian
December 8, 2020
Agreed! In my opinion, Judas is the only person in the Bible more tragic than Saul! When pleasing man and chasing after their approval is your chief end, it truly is a killer.
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dettinger47
December 8, 2020
Good insights, Mandy, particularly on Judas!
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Tom
December 8, 2020
David, thanks for this good post on King Saul. There’s some who say Saul was never a genuine believer, others who say he was a believer who lost his salvation, and others who say he was a severely backslidden believer. We won’t know the answer this side of eternity. I don’t believe one of God’s children can lose their salvation, but I know first hand what falling deep, deep, deep into “backsliddenness” is like. No Christian should feel haughty or proud or look down on others. When we stand before God we will have no plea except the imputed perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.
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dettinger47
December 8, 2020
Well said, Tom. Amen!
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jarilissima
December 8, 2020
Saul wanting to grab “the best of the animals” kind of reminds me of me at the beginning of being a Christian. I wanted to follow Jesus… but I also wanted to keep some Tarot cards I had. I assume Saul saw the monetary value in the best animals, so “why waste them?” and that was my thinking too (Tarot cards are expensive).
Thank goodness Jesus helped me past all of that through the Holy Spirit! In the end, it was easy to throw them away. Great post! Daily prayer and reading His Word = great advice 🙂
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dettinger47
December 8, 2020
Great comments … I like your analogy with the Tarot cards.
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Lisa Beth
December 8, 2020
I was thinking along the same lines Jarilissima, when God calls us to rout out sin but we justify holding back on choice sinful acts or lusts. Ultimately, I think, it’s lacking fear of God which the Bible says keeps us from sinning.
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Chaplapreneur
December 8, 2020
Saul’s calling and the drama around it is so interesting! He truly was called and annointed! It is fascinating to say the least!
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dettinger47
December 8, 2020
Fascinating indeed!
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Lisa Beth
December 8, 2020
Good post David, with important warnings. Saul’s utterly lost discernment and, the more he tried to make things happen, the further downward he spiraled. From seeking God to seeking a witch – the Lord shows us what’s possible when we turn our heart from Him.
I hope all’s well with you brother, press on!
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dettinger47
December 8, 2020
Great insights, Lisa Beth. I especially like, “From seeking God to seeking a witch …”
I’m doing well. I hope the same for you.
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seekingdivineperspective
December 8, 2020
Good analysis, David. And good insight about a “one-time” prayer. Walking the aisle, saying the “sinner’s prayer,” getting baptized doesn’t make salvation a done deal, it’s just the beginning of a life-long relationship and adventure.
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dettinger47
December 9, 2020
Precisely! Amen and spot on!
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