The Rise and Fall of King Saul

The material we covered in our previous lesson from I Samuel chapters 1-10 offered a comprehensive summary of the key events that define the early stages of Israel's transition from the time of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. Beginning with the heartfelt story of Hannah's prayer and the miraculous birth of Samuel, the text emphasizes themes of faithfulness, obedience, and divine intervention.

Samuel's rise as a faithful leader and prophet in contrast to the fall of Eli's corrupt house provides an important backdrop for Israel's growing desire for a king. The narrative is well-structured, highlighting the theological implications of Israel's choices, particularly their rejection of God as king in favor of human leadership.

The subsequent events, such as the people's demand for a king and the anointing of Saul, spoke to both the spiritual and historical significance of these transitions. The explanations outlined the dangers associated with Israel's desire to be "like other nations," and the consequences of this decision are foreshadowed in the warnings given by Samuel.

This material emphasized God's sovereignty, even in the midst of human failure, and reflected on the complexity of leadership, obedience, and the role of divine authority in Israel's history.

I. Saul's Reign and Downfall – I Samuel 11:1 – 15:35

1. Early Promise – I Samuel 11-12

Saul's Victory at Jabesh-Gilead (I Samuel 11)

In chapter 11, Saul demonstrates early promise as Israel's newly appointed king. The people of Jabesh-Gilead, a city in Israel, were threatened by Nahash the Ammonite, who demanded their surrender and proposed a humiliating condition: the gouging out of every man's right eye. In desperation, the elders of Jabesh asked for seven days to seek help.

Upon hearing the news, Saul, empowered by the Spirit of God, was filled with righteous anger and took swift action. He rallied an army by sending pieces of oxen throughout Israel as a call to arms. A large force of 330,000 men gathered under Saul's leadership, and he successfully defeated the Ammonites in a surprise attack, saving Jabesh-Gilead and uniting the people behind him.

This victory solidified Saul's early reign and brought a renewed sense of national unity. Following the battle, Saul's kingship was reaffirmed at Gilgal, where the people celebrated and offered sacrifices of thanksgiving to God.

Samuel's Farewell Speech and Warning (I Samuel 12)

In chapter 12, the prophet Samuel gives his farewell speech to the nation, signaling the end of his leadership and the official transition to Saul's monarchy. Samuel reminds the people of his integrity as a judge and prophet, calling on them to bear witness to his faithful service. He then recounts Israel's history, emphasizing how God had consistently delivered them from their enemies whenever they repented and turned back to Him.

However, Samuel also reminds the people that their demand for a king was a rejection of God's rule. Despite this, God graciously granted their request. Samuel calls the people to faithfulness, warning them that both they and their king must follow God's commands or face the consequences. To underscore the seriousness of his words, Samuel prays, and God sends a miraculous thunderstorm during the wheat harvest, which terrifies the people.

They repent and plead for Samuel to intercede on their behalf. Samuel assures them of God's continued presence but emphasizes that obedience to God remains crucial for their future success under the new monarchy.

Together, these chapters demonstrate the early promise of Saul's reign, marked by military success and national unity, while also highlighting the spiritual challenge of maintaining covenant faithfulness under human kingship.

2. Saul's Downfall – I Samuel 13-15

War with the Philistines (I Samuel 13:1-23)

Chapter 13 marks the beginning of Saul's decline as Israel's king, revealing character flaws that would ultimately lead to his downfall as God's chosen servant. At this point, Saul had reigned for two years and faced a growing threat from the Philistines, who had gathered a massive army to attack Israel. Saul assembled his forces at Gilgal, but his troops were vastly outnumbered, and many of his soldiers began to desert him out of fear.

Impatience and Disobedience

One of the key moments in this chapter is Saul's impatience and lack of trust in God's timing. The prophet Samuel had instructed Saul to wait seven days for him to come and offer sacrifices before the battle (I Samuel 10:8). However, as the days passed and Samuel had not yet arrived, Saul saw his army dwindling and grew increasingly anxious.

Instead of continuing to wait, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered the burnt offering himself, a duty reserved for priests. The moment Saul finished the offering, Samuel arrived. Samuel rebuked Saul, saying, "You have done a foolish thing… you have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you" (I Samuel 13:13).

Pride and Lack of Repentance

This act of disobedience revealed deeper issues in Saul's character, namely his pride and insecurity. Saul's failure to trust in God's provision, combined with his desire to maintain control over the situation, led him to take unauthorized action.

Samuel declared that because Saul had not kept God's command, his kingdom would not endure. God was seeking a man after His own heart to lead Israel, and Saul's dynasty would not continue (I Samuel 13:14).

Instead of humbling himself and repenting, Saul's lack of remorse and failure to recognize the gravity of his sin demonstrated the self-centeredness and spiritual blindness that would continue to characterize his reign. His disobedience in this critical moment marked the beginning of his separation from God's favor, setting the stage for his eventual rejection as king.

II. David's Rise and Saul's Jealousy – I Samuel 16:1–24:22

David's Anointing (I Samuel 16)

David's rise begins in I Samuel 16, when God directs the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king after Saul's disobedience. Samuel goes to Bethlehem and, despite appearances, anoints David, the youngest son of Jesse, as king. Though David was not yet publicly recognized, "the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David" from that day forward (I Samuel 16:13).

At the same time, the Spirit departed from Saul, and he was afflicted by a tormenting spirit. Saul's servants recommended music to soothe him, leading to David being brought into Saul's court as a harp player. David found favor with Saul, serving as both a musician and Saul's armor-bearer.

David and Goliath (I Samuel 17)

David's fame begins to grow in I Samuel 17 with the story of David and Goliath. When the Philistine giant Goliath taunted the armies of Israel, none of Israel's soldiers, including Saul, had the courage to face him. David, empowered by his faith in God, volunteered to fight Goliath.

Armed only with a sling and five stones, David defeated Goliath with a single stone to the forehead, bringing great victory to Israel. This victory marked David's first public success and made him a national hero, sparking both admiration and jealousy.

Saul's Growing Jealousy (I Samuel 18)

David's rising popularity quickly became a threat to Saul. After the defeat of Goliath, the people celebrated David's military success, singing, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands" (I Samuel 18:7). This refrain ignited Saul's jealousy, as he realized that David's fame was surpassing his own. From this point on, Saul viewed David with suspicion and fear, convinced that David was a rival for the throne.

In his attempts to get rid of David, Saul offered him his daughter Michal in marriage, hoping that David would fall in battle while trying to fulfill the bride price. However, David succeeded and married Michal, further securing his position in Saul's court. Saul's jealousy grew into hatred, and on several occasions, Saul attempted to kill David by throwing a spear at him (I Samuel 18:10-11).

Jonathan's Loyalty to David (I Samuel 19-20)

Despite Saul's hostility, his son Jonathan formed a close friendship with David, bound by mutual loyalty. Jonathan repeatedly intervened on David's behalf, warning him of Saul's plots and helping him escape danger.

In I Samuel 19, Saul sent assassins to David's home, but Michal, David's wife, helped him escape through a window. David fled from Saul and began living as a fugitive, constantly pursued by Saul's forces.

In I Samuel 20, Jonathan and David reaffirm their covenant of friendship. Jonathan agreed to secretly test his father's intentions, and when Saul's murderous rage became evident, Jonathan helped David escape once again. Their friendship represented a stark contrast to Saul's increasing paranoia and isolation.

David in Exile and Saul's Pursuit (I Samuel 21-23)

David continued to evade Saul's attempts to kill him by fleeing into the wilderness. Along the way, David received support from various groups:

• In I Samuel 21, David went to the priest Ahimelek in Nob, where he received food and the sword of Goliath. Saul later executed Ahimelek and the other priests of Nob for assisting David, revealing his growing ruthlessness (I Samuel 22:18-19).
• David also gathered a band of 400 men, forming the core of his loyal followers. He acted as a leader and protector, moving from place to place to avoid Saul's relentless pursuit.

Despite Saul's pursuit, David consistently refused to harm Saul, trusting in God's timing for his ascension to the throne. I Samuel 23 details David's successful military exploits, including saving the town of Keilah from the Philistines. However, Saul used this victory to track David, forcing David to flee once again.

David Spares Saul's Life (I Samuel 24)

The climax of this section occurs in I Samuel 24, when David has a chance to kill Saul but chooses not to. While hiding in a cave near En Gedi, David and his men were coincidentally in the same cave where Saul entered to rest.

David's men urged him to kill Saul, seeing it as God's providence, but David refused, declaring that he would not "lay a hand on the Lord's anointed" (I Samuel 24:6). Instead, David secretly cut off a piece of Saul's robe to prove that he could have killed him but chose mercy.

After Saul left the cave, David revealed himself and called out to Saul, showing the piece of the robe as evidence of his loyalty. Saul, momentarily humbled and remorseful, acknowledged David's righteousness and admitted that David would one day be king (I Samuel 24:20). However, despite this brief moment of reconciliation, Saul's jealousy and pursuit of David would continue.

III. Samuel's Death and David's Wanderings – I Samuel 25:1 – 27:12

The Death of Samuel (I Samuel 25:1)

Chapter 25 begins with the solemn announcement of the death of the prophet Samuel. His passing marks the end of an era, as Samuel had been the spiritual leader, prophet, and judge of Israel for many years.

All of Israel gathered to mourn his death and bury him at his home in Ramah. This left Israel without a strong prophetic voice, further emphasizing the deteriorating state of leadership under Saul. Meanwhile, David continued his life as a fugitive, moving through the wilderness with his men.

David, Nabal, and Abigail (I Samuel 25:2-44)

The rest of chapter 25 recounts the story of David's encounter with Nabal and Abigail. David and his men had been protecting Nabal's flocks in the wilderness, and in return, David sent messengers asking for provisions during the festive shearing season.

However, Nabal, a wealthy but harsh and foolish man, insulted David, refusing to provide any assistance. Enraged, David prepared to attack Nabal's household in retaliation.

Before David could act, Abigail, Nabal's wise and discerning wife, intervened. She quickly gathered supplies and met David on the road, pleading for mercy and taking responsibility for her husband's offense. Abigail's humble approach and her reminder of David's future as Israel's king convinced David to relent and spare Nabal's life, praising her for her wisdom.

Soon after, Nabal died suddenly after learning of Abigail's actions, which David viewed as divine judgment. David then married Abigail, adding her to his growing household, along with Ahinoam, another wife he had previously taken (I Samuel 25:43).

David Spares Saul Again (I Samuel 26)

In I Samuel 26, Saul resumed his pursuit of David after hearing reports of his whereabouts in the wilderness of Ziph. With 3,000 men, Saul set out to capture David, but David once again had the opportunity to kill Saul and chose to show mercy instead.

David and his companion Abishai infiltrated Saul's camp at night and found Saul and his men asleep. Abishai urged David to kill Saul, but David refused, saying, "The Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord's anointed" (I Samuel 26:11).

Instead, David took Saul's spear and water jug as proof that he could have killed him. The next morning, David called out to Saul from a distance, showing him the items as evidence of his mercy.

Saul again expressed remorse and acknowledged David's righteousness, but David knew Saul's repentance was fleeting. This event reinforced David's integrity and his commitment to leaving vengeance in God's hands, while also highlighting Saul's untrustworthy nature.

David's Alliance with the Philistines (I Samuel 27:1-12)

By chapter 27, David, weary of constantly fleeing from Saul, decided to seek refuge among the Philistines, Israel's enemies. David believed that Saul would stop pursuing him if he was living in Philistine territory, so he took his 600 men and their families to Gath, where he sought asylum under King Achish.

Achish granted David and his men the town of Ziklag, where they lived for over a year and a half.

During this time, David and his men conducted raids against the enemies of Israel, such as the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, but he deceived Achish into believing that he was raiding Israelite towns.

David ensured that no survivors were left to report his true actions, maintaining the appearance of loyalty to the Philistines while secretly supporting Israel's interests. Achish, believing David had made himself an enemy of Israel, trusted him completely and viewed him as a valuable ally.

These chapters depict David's continued rise as a leader marked by wisdom, mercy, and trust in God, while also highlighting Saul's ongoing decline. As David wandered in exile, he faced moral tests that he passed with integrity, setting him apart as God's chosen leader despite his precarious circumstances.

IV. The Death of Saul and Johnathan – I Samuel 28:1 – 31:13

Saul and the Witch of Endor (I Samuel 28:1-25)

As the Philistines gathered to fight Israel once again, Saul faced the battle in a state of desperation and fear. God had ceased communicating with him, either through prophets or dreams, due to his earlier disobedience. Seeking guidance, Saul violated God's law by consulting a medium at Endor, hoping to summon the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel.

Disguised, Saul asked the medium to bring Samuel up from the dead. To Saul's horror, Samuel appeared and delivered a final prophecy: the Lord had torn the kingdom from Saul and given it to David, and both Saul and his sons would die in the coming battle (I Samuel 28:19). This encounter left Saul utterly terrified and hopeless.

David and the Amalekites (I Samuel 29-30)

Meanwhile, David, who had been living among the Philistines, found himself in a difficult position. The Philistine leaders refused to allow him to fight with them against Israel, fearing he might turn against them in battle. David returned to his base at Ziklag, only to find that the Amalekites had raided the city, burned it, and taken the women and children captive, including David's wives. David sought the Lord's guidance, and God instructed him to pursue the Amalekites.

With his men, David attacked and defeated the Amalekites, recovering all the captives and spoils. This victory stood in stark contrast to Saul's impending defeat and highlighted David's continued success and faithfulness to God.

The Death of Saul and Jonathan (I Samuel 31:1-13)

The final chapter of I Samuel recounts the tragic death of Saul and his sons, including Jonathan, on Mount Gilboa during a fierce battle against the Philistines. The Israelites were routed, and Saul's sons were killed. Saul himself was critically wounded by Philistine archers.

Rather than be captured and humiliated, Saul asked his armor-bearer to kill him, but the armor-bearer refused. Saul then fell on his own sword, ending his life. When the Philistines found Saul's body, they beheaded him and displayed his armor in the temple of their gods, while his body and the bodies of his sons were hung on the wall of Beth Shan. The men of Jabesh-Gilead, whom Saul had saved earlier in his reign, retrieved and buried their bodies with honor.

Why Did God Choose Saul as Israel's First King?

Saul's reign, though tragic, reveals key insights into why God chose such a flawed character to be Israel's first king. Here are three possible reasons:

1. To Fulfill the People's Desires

Israel demanded a king "like all the other nations" (I Samuel 8:5), rejecting God's direct rule. Saul was the embodiment of what the people valued—a tall, handsome, and imposing figure who appeared kingly by worldly standards (I Samuel 9:2).

By giving them Saul, God allowed the people to experience the consequences of their demand for a king, showing them the difference between human leadership based on appearance and divine leadership based on faithfulness and character.

2. To Teach the Dangers of Disobedience

Saul's reign serves as a lesson about the dangers of disobedience and rejecting God's authority. Saul started with great potential but quickly revealed his flaws—impatience, pride, and fear of losing power.

His failure to obey God's commands (such as sparing the Amalekite king in I Samuel 15) demonstrated the cost of disobedience, not just for the king but for the entire nation. Through Saul's downfall, Israel was reminded that true leadership depends on trust in God and obedience to His will.

3. To Pave the Way for David

Saul's rise and fall created the backdrop for the emergence of David, the man after God's own heart (I Samuel 13:14). Saul's tragic reign highlighted the need for a king who would lead with integrity and faith in God, setting the stage for David's eventual ascension to the throne. In this way, Saul's failure contrasted with David's faithful rise, helping to underscore the kind of king God desired for Israel.

Lessons

Here are three lessons from I Samuel chapters 11-31 that can be applied today, using Saul, David, and Jonathan as examples, with distinct applications for the church, church leaders, and individual Christians:

1. Lesson for the Church: Be Mindful of the Influence of Worldly Desires (Saul is the model)

Saul's story begins with Israel's demand for a king "like all the other nations" (I Samuel 8:5). Though God granted their request, the consequences of this decision—seen in Saul's rise and fall—serve as a warning.

Saul was chosen because he fit the mold of what the world expected in a leader: tall, strong, and impressive in appearance (I Samuel 9:2). However, his reign was marked by insecurity, disobedience, and a focus on self-preservation, rather than reliance on God.

Application for the Church

Today, the church must guard against adopting worldly values or models of success that prioritize appearance, status, or external influence over spiritual depth, humility, and godly character. Just as Israel learned through Saul's failure, the church must place emphasis on seeking God's will, discerning His purpose, and cultivating a Christ-centered community rather than being shaped by the patterns of the world (Romans 12:2).

2. Lesson for Leaders in the Church: The Importance of Patience and Trust in God's Timing (David is the model)

David's rise to kingship was filled with tests of patience and trust. Though he was anointed as king early on (I Samuel 16), he spent years in exile, fleeing from Saul's attempts to kill him.

Despite numerous opportunities to seize the throne by force—such as sparing Saul's life twice (I Samuel 24; 26)—David refused to take matters into his own hands. Instead, he trusted that God's timing and way were perfect, choosing integrity and restraint over expedience.

Application for Church Leaders

Church leaders today can learn from David's example by exercising patience and waiting on God's timing, even when leadership is difficult or when quick solutions seem tempting. In ministry, challenges often arise that test a leader's faith and endurance. Rather than resorting to rash decisions, leaders must depend on God's wisdom, trust His process, and lead with humility, always seeking His will above personal ambition (James 1:4-5).

3. Lesson for Individual Christians: The Value of Loyalty and Courage in Relationships (Jonathan is the model)

Jonathan's loyalty to David, even at great personal risk, stands out as a remarkable example of selfless friendship and courage. Despite being Saul's son and the heir apparent to the throne, Jonathan recognized God's anointing on David and formed a covenant of loyalty with him (I Samuel 18:3).

Jonathan's support for David—even against his father's wishes—demonstrated his deep commitment to righteousness and friendship over personal gain.

Application for Individual Christians

For individual Christians, Jonathan's example teaches the importance of loyalty, selflessness, and courage in our relationships. Whether in friendships, family, or community, we are called to be loyal to God's will and to support others, even when it costs us personally.

True Christian relationships are marked by sacrificial love and the courage to stand with others in truth and righteousness, just as Jonathan supported David (John 15:13).