WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SAUL?
Saul: Kingly Living, I Pity the Fool!
(1 Samuel 9-31, ESV)
A wise man relates to God while a fool resorts to God.
Foolishness: Looks from the Outside And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. (1 Samuel 9:2)
Wisdom: Looks to the Heart But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Foolishness: Seeks Shallow Pursuits And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. (1 Sam 12:21)
Wisdom: Seeks God’s Priorities And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.” (1 Sam 12:20)
Foolishness: Fears Self “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:23)
Wisdom: Fears God “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)
Foolishness: Acts in Fear Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.” (1 Samuel 13:11-13 ESV)
Wisdom: Acts in Trust And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” (1 Samuel 17:37)
Foolishness: Gives Vengeance
Saul Pursues David: 1 Sam 18:6 – 1 Sam 26
Saul Murders the Priests at Nob: 1 Sam 22:6-19
Wisdom: Gives Grace
He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.” (1 Samuel 24:17)
David Spares Saul’s Life - 1 Samuel 24 & 1 Samuel 26
A wise man relates to God while a fool resorts to God.
- Don’t be the fool: pursue God and prioritize His wisdom.
- Pity, but don’t judge, the fool: compassionately share God’s warnings.
- Pray for the fool: share and show God’s hope and love.
- Walk in wisdom: daily relate wholeheartedly to Christ
- Look at your heart, set it on God
- Seek God’s priorities in your life
- Fear God by listening and obeying His voice.
- Act in trust of God and His great strength.
- Give grace towards others.