Saul, the first king of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose life and reign are marked by instances of ingratitude towards God. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. Saul's ingratitude is evident in his disobedience, lack of faith, and failure to acknowledge God's sovereignty, which ultimately led to his downfall.

Anointed as King

Saul's journey begins with God's favor. He was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. In 1 Samuel 10:1 , Samuel anoints Saul, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?" This divine selection was a significant honor, yet Saul's subsequent actions reveal a heart that failed to fully appreciate and submit to God's authority.

Disobedience at Gilgal

One of the first major acts of ingratitude is Saul's disobedience at Gilgal. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul faces the Philistines and, in fear, offers a burnt offering himself instead of waiting for Samuel, as instructed. This act of impatience and lack of trust in God's timing demonstrates Saul's ingratitude. Samuel rebukes him in 1 Samuel 13:13-14 , saying, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you... now your kingdom will not endure."

The Amalekite Campaign

Another significant instance of Saul's ingratitude is his failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites. In 1 Samuel 15, God commands Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all they possess. However, Saul spares King Agag and the best of the livestock. When confronted by Samuel, Saul attempts to justify his actions, revealing a heart that prioritizes personal judgment over divine command. Samuel's response in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 underscores the gravity of Saul's ingratitude: "To obey is better than sacrifice... Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king."

Consultation with a Medium

In a further display of ingratitude and desperation, Saul seeks guidance from a medium at Endor, as recorded in 1 Samuel 28. Despite God's clear prohibition against such practices, Saul's actions reflect a disregard for God's law and a lack of trust in His provision. This act of defiance highlights Saul's spiritual decline and ingratitude towards the God who had once chosen him to lead His people.

Loss of God's Favor

Saul's repeated ingratitude and disobedience result in the loss of God's favor and the eventual transfer of kingship to David. In 1 Samuel 16:14 , it is noted, "Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him." This departure signifies the culmination of Saul's ingratitude and the severing of his relationship with God.

Legacy of Ingratitude

Saul's life serves as a cautionary tale of ingratitude towards God. His failure to recognize and honor God's authority led to personal and national consequences. Saul's account is a reminder of the importance of obedience, faith, and gratitude in maintaining a right relationship with God.1 Samuel 15:17-19
And Samuel said, When you were little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

South -- the Image of God in Man
... only in the former, which wicked princes, such, as Saul and Nimrod ... it can not but
be a blasphemous piece of ingratitude to ascribe them to God, and to ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/south the image of.htm

The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
... "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" "Saul," the Master ... spend the breath which
his own grace has given you, in cursing the God that allows ... Base ingratitude! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the conversion of saul of.htm

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... 1:Sam.16:14), to intimate that Saul's madness was ... the power of thus punishing the
ingratitude of Solomon ... We, therefore, see how God, while not willing treachery ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm

The King after Man's Heart
... very pathetic in the contrast he draws between Saul and himself. ... His sense of Israel's
ingratitude to himself and practical revolt from God lay together in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... had received, as so many aggravations of his ingratitude. ... we must have hearts harder
than Saul's, nay, harder ... nether millstone, if a sense of God's late loving ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... a similar example in the rejection of Saul. ... Accordingly, Malachi enlarges on the
ingratitude of Israel ... perfidiously and impiously spurn God their beneficent ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

Christ's Remonstrances
... anybody can be blessed without God. Further, this disclosure of the true character
of his life revealed to Saul, as in a lightning flash, the ingratitude of it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/christs remonstrances.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... this knowledge is to prevent us, through ingratitude or thoughtlessness ... also, the
spirit which tormented Saul is said ... of Egypt were inflicted by God through the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving
... considered the most remarkable Jewish convert since Saul of Tarsus ... sins of these
Israelites was forgetfulness of God and His mercies, and ingratitude of soul ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iv prayer praise and thanksgiving.htm

Old Truth for a New Epoch
... Samuel's office as judge necessarily ended when Saul was made king ... as to shut out
the sunshine of God's love, for ... away from us; it is black ingratitude, as well ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/old truth for a new.htm

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