The Life of King Saul. The life of King Saul is a tragedy we can learn from. We have both good and bad examples to teach us! (1 Cor 10:11-12)We have both

The Life of King SaulThe Life of King Saul

The life of King Saul is a tragedy we can The life of King Saul is a tragedy we can learn from.learn from.

• We have both good and bad examples to We have both good and bad examples to teach us! (teach us! (1 Cor 10:11-12)1 Cor 10:11-12)


• 1 Corinthians 10:11-121 Corinthians 10:11-12 - Now all these - Now all these things happened to them as examples, things happened to them as examples, and and they were written for our admonitionthey were written for our admonition, , upon whom the ends of the ages have upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands stands take heed lest he falltake heed lest he fall..


• We are going to see the destruction of a We are going to see the destruction of a good man.good man.

• We need to know that this can happen. We need to know that this can happen. God wants to clearly warn us of this God wants to clearly warn us of this possible path. possible path. (Heb 3:12)(Heb 3:12)


• Hebrews 3:12Hebrews 3:12 - Beware, brethren, - Beware, brethren, lest lest there be in any of youthere be in any of you an evil heart of an evil heart of unbelief unbelief in departing from the living God;in departing from the living God;


• Our God knows our limits and will protect Our God knows our limits and will protect us. What happens when we in pride start us. What happens when we in pride start looking for the praise of men?looking for the praise of men?

God chose the best man to be kingGod chose the best man to be king

• Saul was going to lead a carnal people Saul was going to lead a carnal people that did not trust God. that did not trust God. (1 Sam 8:5-8)(1 Sam 8:5-8)


• 1 Samuel 8:5-81 Samuel 8:5-8 - and said to him, "Look, - and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now your ways. Now make us a king to judge make us a king to judge us like all the nationsus like all the nations." 6 But the thing ." 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the LORD. to the LORD.


• 7 And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the 7 And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; voice of the people in all that they say to you; for for they have not rejected you, but they have they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Merejected Me, that I should not reign over , that I should not reign over them. 8 "According to them. 8 "According to all the works which all the works which they have done since the day that I brought they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egyptthem up out of Egypt, even to this day -- with , even to this day -- with which which they have forsaken Me and served they have forsaken Me and served other godsother gods -- so they are doing to you also. -- so they are doing to you also.


• This was going to be a place of great tests This was going to be a place of great tests for Saul.for Saul.

• This could be a great opportunity for This could be a great opportunity for growth. growth. (James 1:2-3)(James 1:2-3)


• James 1:2-3 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.


• God chose Saul because he was the best God chose Saul because he was the best man to be king. man to be king. (1 Sam 9:16-17)(1 Sam 9:16-17)


• 1 Samuel 9:16-171 Samuel 9:16-17 - "Tomorrow about this - "Tomorrow about this time I time I will send you a man from the land of will send you a man from the land of BenjaminBenjamin, and you shall anoint him , and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to me." 17 And because their cry has come to me." 17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "him, "There he is, the man of whom I spoke There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My peopleto you. This one shall reign over My people."."


• Saul was a faithful servant to his father. Saul was a faithful servant to his father. No task was “below him” and he was No task was “below him” and he was mindful of what was best for his father. mindful of what was best for his father. ((1 Sam 9:3-5)1 Sam 9:3-5)


• 1 Samuel 9:3-51 Samuel 9:3-5 - Now the donkeys of - Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, "Please, take one of said to his son Saul, "Please, take one of the servants with you, and arise, the servants with you, and arise, go and go and look for the donkeyslook for the donkeys." ."


• ……. 5 When they had come to the land of . 5 When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was was with with him, "Come, let us return, lest my father him, "Come, let us return, lest my father cease cease caring caring about the donkeys and about the donkeys and become become worried about usworried about us."."


• He sought godly council. He sought godly council. (1 Sam 9:6-8)(1 Sam 9:6-8)


• 1 Samuel 9:6-81 Samuel 9:6-8 - And he said to him, - And he said to him, "Look now, "Look now, there is there is in this city a man of in this city a man of GodGod, and , and he is he is an honorable man; all that an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go." … that we should go." …


• He was humble and not seeking to be the He was humble and not seeking to be the king. king. (1 Sam 10:21-23)(1 Sam 10:21-23)


• 1 Samuel 10:21-231 Samuel 10:21-23 - When he had caused - When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when But when they sought him, he could not be foundthey sought him, he could not be found. 22 . 22 Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, "Has the man come here yet?" And the "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD answered, "LORD answered, "There he is, hidden There he is, hidden among the equipmentamong the equipment." ."


• 23 So 23 So they ran and brought him from they ran and brought him from therethere; and when he stood among the ; and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.people from his shoulders upward.


• We will also see that he instilled a We will also see that he instilled a powerful faith in his son Jonathan!powerful faith in his son Jonathan!

The Fall of SaulThe Fall of Saul

• Israel needed a strong king. God would Israel needed a strong king. God would use tests to help build his faith.use tests to help build his faith.

• When you study Genesis you will see that When you study Genesis you will see that God God alwaysalways does this! does this!

• Saul would have the help of God, His Saul would have the help of God, His servant Samuel and other spiritual men. servant Samuel and other spiritual men. Saul had to remain humble and stay Saul had to remain humble and stay focused only on God’s council. focused only on God’s council.


• Remember the exhortation given to Remember the exhortation given to Joshua. Joshua. (Joshua 1:7)(Joshua 1:7)


• Joshua 1:7Joshua 1:7 - "Only - "Only be strong and very be strong and very courageouscourageous, that you may , that you may observe to do observe to do according to all the lawaccording to all the law which Moses My which Moses My servant commanded you; servant commanded you; do not turn from do not turn from it to the right hand or to the leftit to the right hand or to the left, that , that you you may prospermay prosper wherever you go. wherever you go.


• Saul was going to have to make a choice Saul was going to have to make a choice between being molded by the expectations between being molded by the expectations of the people or the expectations of God. of the people or the expectations of God. (Gal 1:10)(Gal 1:10)


• Galatians 1:10Galatians 1:10 - For do I now persuade - For do I now persuade men, or God? Or men, or God? Or do I seek to please mendo I seek to please men? ? For if For if I still pleased menI still pleased men, I would , I would not be a not be a bondservant of Christbondservant of Christ..


• He would be like a new coach of a major He would be like a new coach of a major football team. The worldly standards of football team. The worldly standards of other kings would be in the minds of the other kings would be in the minds of the people.people.

• It is not easy to lead a carnal people. There It is not easy to lead a carnal people. There will be conflicts!will be conflicts!

• God gives Saul a major test at Gilgal.God gives Saul a major test at Gilgal.• The Philistines appeared to have an The Philistines appeared to have an

unbeatable army. unbeatable army. (1 Sam 13:5)(1 Sam 13:5)


• 1 Samuel 13:51 Samuel 13:5 - Then the Philistines - Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thirty thousand chariots and six thousand thousand chariots and six thousand horsemenhorsemen, and , and people as the sand which people as the sand which is is on the seashore in multitudeon the seashore in multitude. And they . And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven.the east of Beth Aven.


• Saul is put in a holding pattern that is Saul is put in a holding pattern that is causing the people to fear and abandon causing the people to fear and abandon hope. hope. (1 Sam 13:6-8)(1 Sam 13:6-8)


• 1 Samuel 13:6-81 Samuel 13:6-8 - When the men of Israel - When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then people were distressed), then the people the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pitsand in pits. 7 And . 7 And some of some of the Hebrews the Hebrews crossed over the Jordancrossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, and Gilead. As for Saul, he he was was still in still in GilgalGilgal, and all , and all the people followed him the people followed him tremblingtrembling. .


• 8 Then he waited seven days, according 8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from himscattered from him..


• This is a classic test of faith. God’s This is a classic test of faith. God’s instructions are clear, but human wisdom instructions are clear, but human wisdom says that circumstances would change says that circumstances would change what Saul should do.what Saul should do.

• Saul gave into the pressure and did what Saul gave into the pressure and did what worldly people would have done! What did worldly people would have done! What did God think? God think? (1 Sam 13:9-10)(1 Sam 13:9-10)


• 1 Samuel 13:9-101 Samuel 13:9-10 - So Saul said, "Bring a - So Saul said, "Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to burnt offering and peace offerings here to me." And me." And he offered the burnt offeringhe offered the burnt offering. 10 . 10 Now it happened, as soon as he had Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. him, that he might greet him.


• Is Saul reasoning well? Is Saul reasoning well? (1 Sam 13:11-12)(1 Sam 13:11-12)


• 1 Samuel 13:11-121 Samuel 13:11-12 - And Samuel said, - And Samuel said, ""What have you doneWhat have you done?" And Saul said, ?" And Saul said, "When I saw that "When I saw that the people were scattered the people were scattered from mefrom me, and , and that that you did not come within the you did not come within the days appointeddays appointed, and , and that that the Philistines the Philistines gathered together at Michmashgathered together at Michmash, 12 "then I , 12 "then I said, 'The Philistines will now come down on said, 'The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and me at Gilgal, and I have not made I have not made supplication to the LORDsupplication to the LORD.' Therefore .' Therefore I felt I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offeringcompelled, and offered a burnt offering."."


• He needed to remember what real He needed to remember what real obedience is about. obedience is about. (1 Sam 13:13-14)(1 Sam 13:13-14)


• 1 Samuel 13:13-141 Samuel 13:13-14 - And Samuel said to - And Samuel said to Saul, "Saul, "You have done foolishlyYou have done foolishly. You have . You have not kept the commandment of the LORDnot kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For your God, which He commanded you. For now now the LORD would have established the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel foreveryour kingdom over Israel forever. .


• 14 "But now your kingdom shall not 14 "But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him LORD has commanded him to be to be commander over His people, because commander over His people, because you you have not kept what the LORD commanded have not kept what the LORD commanded youyou."."


• What would you have done? Do you agree What would you have done? Do you agree with God in this matter?with God in this matter?

Saul develops a hardened heartSaul develops a hardened heart

• Even though Saul disobeyed and was Even though Saul disobeyed and was rebuked, His army won the battle and rebuked, His army won the battle and he was highly praised.he was highly praised.

• When your peers are worldly people you When your peers are worldly people you will be encouraged in pride.will be encouraged in pride.

• What do your relationships say about you?What do your relationships say about you?

• Saul fails another test with the Amalekites. Saul fails another test with the Amalekites. (1 Sam 15:3, 9)(1 Sam 15:3, 9)


• 1 Samuel 15:31 Samuel 15:3 - 'Now go and attack - 'Now go and attack Amalek, and Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare themhave, and do not spare them. But kill both . But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkeyox and sheep, camel and donkey.' ".' "


• 1 Samuel 15:91 Samuel 15:9 - But Saul and the people - But Saul and the people spared Agagspared Agag and the and the best of the sheep, best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was that was goodgood, and were , and were unwilling to unwilling to utterly destroy themutterly destroy them. But . But everything everything despised and worthlessdespised and worthless, that , that they utterly they utterly destroyeddestroyed..


• Saul now is set on pleasing men. Worldly Saul now is set on pleasing men. Worldly men would say that Saul was obedient to men would say that Saul was obedient to God. What percentage of God’s will did he God. What percentage of God’s will did he obey?obey?

• His mind is so distorted that he even tries His mind is so distorted that he even tries to convince Samuel that he obeyed. He to convince Samuel that he obeyed. He needed to shut his mouth and hear God. needed to shut his mouth and hear God. (1 Sam 15:13-16)(1 Sam 15:13-16)


• 1 Samuel 15:13-161 Samuel 15:13-16 - Then Samuel went - Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are are you of the LORD! you of the LORD! I have performed the I have performed the commandment of the LORDcommandment of the LORD." 14 But ." 14 But Samuel said, "Samuel said, "What then What then is is this bleating of this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hearthe oxen which I hear?“?“


• 15 And Saul said, "15 And Saul said, "They have brought They have brought themthem from the Amalekites; for from the Amalekites; for the people the people spared the best of the sheepspared the best of the sheep and the and the oxen, oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your Godto sacrifice to the LORD your God; ; and and the rest we have utterly destroyedthe rest we have utterly destroyed." ." 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, "16 Then Samuel said to Saul, "Be quiet! Be quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD saidAnd I will tell you what the LORD said to to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak me last night." And he said to him, "Speak on."on."


• He lost a love for God and the ability to He lost a love for God and the ability to think. think. (1 Sam 15:10-11)(1 Sam 15:10-11)


• 1 Samuel 15:10-111 Samuel 15:10-11 - Now the word of - Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, 11 "I the LORD came to Samuel, saying, 11 "I greatly regret that I have set up Saul greatly regret that I have set up Saul as as king, for king, for he has turned back from following he has turned back from following MeMe, and has , and has not performed My not performed My commandmentscommandments." And it ." And it grieved Samuelgrieved Samuel, , and and he cried out to the LORD all nighthe cried out to the LORD all night..


• Saul never again finds true repentance. Saul never again finds true repentance. (1 Sam 15:22-23)(1 Sam 15:22-23)


• 1 Samuel 15:22-231 Samuel 15:22-23 - Then Samuel said: - Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD "Has the LORD as great as great delight in burnt delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the in obeying the voice of the LORDvoice of the LORD? Behold, ? Behold, to obey is better to obey is better than sacrificethan sacrifice, , And And to heed than the fat of to heed than the fat of ramsrams. 23 For . 23 For rebellion rebellion is as is as the sin of the sin of witchcraftwitchcraft, And , And stubbornness stubbornness is as is as iniquity iniquity and idolatryand idolatry. Because you have rejected the . Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also word of the LORD, He also has rejected you has rejected you from from being being kingking."."


• We must never consider anything God We must never consider anything God says as “small.”says as “small.”

• Did Saul repent? Did Saul repent? (1 Sam 15:24-25)(1 Sam 15:24-25)


• 1 Samuel 15:24-251 Samuel 15:24-25 - Then Saul said to - Then Saul said to Samuel, "Samuel, "I have sinnedI have sinned, for I have , for I have transgressed the commandment of the transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, LORD and your words, because I feared because I feared the people and obeyed their voicethe people and obeyed their voice. 25 . 25 "Now therefore, "Now therefore, please pardon my sinplease pardon my sin, and , and return with me, that I may worship the return with me, that I may worship the LORD."LORD."


• There is a difference in saying the right There is a difference in saying the right words before men and repentance.words before men and repentance.

• His true motives come out later. His true motives come out later. (1 Sam 15:30)(1 Sam 15:30)


• 1 Samuel 15:301 Samuel 15:30 - Then he said, "I have - Then he said, "I have sinned; sinned; yet yet honor me now, please, before honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israelthe elders of my people and before Israel, , and return with me, that I may worship the and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God."LORD your God."


• Samuel never sees Saul again. Saul Samuel never sees Saul again. Saul reigns for 40 years!reigns for 40 years!

• We must see pride as God sees it! We must see pride as God sees it! (Prov 21:4; 6:16-19; 8:13; 16:5)(Prov 21:4; 6:16-19; 8:13; 16:5)


• Proverbs 21:4Proverbs 21:4 - A - A haughty lookhaughty look, , a proud a proud heartheart, , And And the plowing of the wicked the plowing of the wicked are are sinsin..


• Proverbs 6:16-19Proverbs 6:16-19 - These six - These six things things the the LORD hatesLORD hates, Yes, seven , Yes, seven are are an an abomination to Himabomination to Him: 17 : 17 A proud lookA proud look, A , A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness 19 A false witness who who speaks lies, And speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.one who sows discord among brethren.


• Proverbs 8:13Proverbs 8:13 - The fear of the LORD - The fear of the LORD is is to hate evil; to hate evil; Pride and arrogancePride and arrogance and the and the evil way And the perverse mouth evil way And the perverse mouth I hateI hate..


• Proverbs 16:5Proverbs 16:5 - - Everyone proud in heartEveryone proud in heart is is an abomination to the LORDan abomination to the LORD; ; Though Though they join they join forces, forces, none will go unpunishednone will go unpunished..

Saul’s descent into destructionSaul’s descent into destruction

• None of us stand still spiritually. What None of us stand still spiritually. What direction are you moving?direction are you moving?

• Proud people are unstable, insecure Proud people are unstable, insecure people.people.

• Saul quickly becomes an enemy of David. Saul quickly becomes an enemy of David. (1 Sam 18:7-9)(1 Sam 18:7-9)


• 1 Samuel 18:7-91 Samuel 18:7-9 - So the women sang as - So the women sang as they danced, and said: "they danced, and said: "Saul has slain his Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousandsthousands, And David his ten thousands." 8 ." 8 Then Then Saul was very angrySaul was very angry, and the saying , and the saying displeased him; and he said, "They have displeased him; and he said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed they have ascribed only only thousands. thousands. Now Now what what more can he have but the kingdommore can he have but the kingdom?" 9 ?" 9 So So Saul eyed David from that day forward.Saul eyed David from that day forward.


• Envy is irrational and tormenting to the Envy is irrational and tormenting to the one possessing it. Consider the terrible act one possessing it. Consider the terrible act of the Jewish rulers. of the Jewish rulers. (Mk 15:10)(Mk 15:10)


• Mark 15:10Mark 15:10 - For he knew that the chief - For he knew that the chief priests had priests had handed Him over because of handed Him over because of envyenvy..


• When you cut loose from God He also will When you cut loose from God He also will cut you loose. cut you loose. (Rom 1:24, 26, 28)(Rom 1:24, 26, 28)


• Romans 1:24Romans 1:24 - Therefore - Therefore God also gave God also gave them up to uncleannessthem up to uncleanness, in the lusts of , in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,among themselves,


• Romans 1:26Romans 1:26 - For this reason - For this reason God gave God gave them up to vile passionsthem up to vile passions. For even their . For even their women exchanged the natural use for women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.what is against nature.


• Romans 1:28Romans 1:28 - And even as they did not - And even as they did not like to retain God in like to retain God in their their knowledge, knowledge, God God gave them over to a debased mindgave them over to a debased mind, to do , to do those things which are not fitting;those things which are not fitting;


• It is painful to watch Saul turn against It is painful to watch Saul turn against everything good and the people who really everything good and the people who really loved him. loved him. (1 Sam 20:32-33)(1 Sam 20:32-33)


• 1 Samuel 20:32-331 Samuel 20:32-33 - And - And JonathanJonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, answered Saul his father, and said to him, "Why should he be killed? What has he "Why should he be killed? What has he done?" 33 Then done?" 33 Then Saul cast a spear at him Saul cast a spear at him to kill himto kill him, by which Jonathan knew that it , by which Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to kill David.was determined by his father to kill David.


• He is spared by David and says the right He is spared by David and says the right words again. words again. (1 Sam 24:10-11, 17-19)(1 Sam 24:10-11, 17-19)


• 1 Samuel 24:10-111 Samuel 24:10-11 - "Look, this day your - "Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and you today into my hand in the cave, and someone someone urged urged me me to kill you. But to kill you. But my eye my eye spared youspared you, and I said, 'I will not stretch , and I said, 'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he out my hand against my lord, for he is is the the LORD's anointed.' LORD's anointed.'


• 11 "Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see 11 "Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that did not kill you, know and see that there is there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take itmy life to take it..


• 1 Samuel 24:17-191 Samuel 24:17-19 - Then he said to - Then he said to David: "David: "You You are are more righteous than Imore righteous than I; for ; for you have rewarded me with good, you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. 18 whereas I have rewarded you with evil. 18 "And you have shown this day how you "And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the have dealt well with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. did not kill me.


• 19 "For if a man finds his enemy, will he 19 "For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? let him get away safely? Therefore may Therefore may the LORD reward you with goodthe LORD reward you with good for what for what you have done to me this day.you have done to me this day.


• A hardened heart can become permanent. A hardened heart can become permanent. David knew what God knew and hid from David knew what God knew and hid from Saul from then on.Saul from then on.

• Saul faced death with no consciousness of Saul faced death with no consciousness of God at all. God at all. (1 Sam 31:4-5)(1 Sam 31:4-5)


• 1 Samuel 31:4-51 Samuel 31:4-5 - Then Saul said to his - Then Saul said to his armorbearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust armorbearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, me through with it, lest these uncircumcised lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust memen come and thrust me through and abuse through and abuse me." But me." But his armorbearer would nothis armorbearer would not, for he , for he was greatly afraid. Therefore was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a Saul took a sword and fell on itsword and fell on it. 5 And when his . 5 And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him.fell on his sword, and died with him.


• This is a startling end to one who started This is a startling end to one who started out as a tender, righteous man.out as a tender, righteous man.

• Our God will help us and deliver us if we Our God will help us and deliver us if we will stay humble and repent!will stay humble and repent!

• Who are we really? Who are we really? (1 Tim 1:12-16)(1 Tim 1:12-16)


• 1 Timothy 1:12-161 Timothy 1:12-16 - And I thank Christ - And I thank Christ Jesus Jesus our Lord who has enabled meour Lord who has enabled me, , because He counted me faithful, putting because He counted me faithful, putting me me into the ministry, 13 although I was into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but an insolent man; but I obtained mercy I obtained mercy because I did because I did it it ignorantlyignorantly in unbelief in unbelief. .


• 14 And the grace of our Lord was 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is is a a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that that Christ Jesus came into the world to save Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chiefsinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for . 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.on Him for everlasting life.

Documents

The Life of King Saul. The life of King Saul is a tragedy we can learn from. We have both good and bad examples to teach us! (1 Cor 10:11-12)We have both