Topical Bible: Rebellion Against God: Saul

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Introduction

The narrative of King Saul, the first monarch of Israel, serves as a poignant example of rebellion against God. Saul's reign, which began with promise and divine favor, ultimately descended into disobedience and rejection of God's commands. His account is primarily chronicled in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, offering a detailed account of his rise and fall.

Anointed as King

Saul's journey began with his anointing by the prophet Samuel, as directed by God. In 1 Samuel 9:16-17 , God reveals to Samuel, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him ruler over My people Israel." Saul was chosen for his physical stature and potential to lead Israel against their enemies, particularly the Philistines.

Initial Obedience and Success

Initially, Saul demonstrated obedience to God. He led Israel to victory against the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:11) and was confirmed as king at Gilgal (1 Samuel 11:14-15). His early reign was marked by military success and the unification of the tribes of Israel under his leadership.

The First Act of Rebellion

Saul's first significant act of rebellion occurred during a confrontation with the Philistines at Gilgal. As the Philistine threat loomed, Saul grew impatient waiting for Samuel to arrive and offer sacrifices to God. In 1 Samuel 13:8-9 , Saul took it upon himself to offer the burnt offering, a duty reserved for the prophet. Samuel rebuked Saul, declaring, "You have acted foolishly... your kingdom will not endure" (1 Samuel 13:13-14). This act of impatience and presumption marked the beginning of Saul's downfall.

The Amalekite Campaign

Saul's rebellion against God reached a critical point during the campaign against the Amalekites. God commanded Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all they possessed (1 Samuel 15:3). However, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, rationalizing his disobedience as an intention to sacrifice to the Lord (1 Samuel 15:9, 15). Samuel confronted Saul, stating, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22). This disobedience led to God's rejection of Saul as king, as Samuel declared, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today" (1 Samuel 15:28).

Descent into Madness and Jealousy

Following his rejection, Saul's reign was characterized by increasing instability and paranoia. His jealousy of David, whom God had chosen as his successor, consumed him. Saul's attempts to kill David, as recorded in 1 Samuel 18-26, illustrate his further departure from God's will. His reliance on a medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-20) in a desperate attempt to seek guidance from the deceased Samuel further exemplifies his spiritual decline.

Death and Legacy

Saul's life ended tragically on the battlefield against the Philistines. Mortally wounded, he took his own life to avoid capture (1 Samuel 31:4). His death marked the end of his troubled reign and the beginning of David's ascent to the throne.

Conclusion

Saul's account serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of rebellion against God. His initial promise was overshadowed by disobedience, impatience, and a failure to fully submit to God's authority. Through Saul's life, the biblical narrative underscores the importance of obedience and the dangers of allowing pride and fear to lead one away from God's commands.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 15:9,23
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatted calves, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Insurrection of Absalom against David and ...
... injuries he had done to his master [Saul], and this ... follow them, for thou hast received
the kingdom from God. ... his son would rise up in rebellion against him. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the insurrection.htm

The First Christian Martyr
... a mighty instrument in the hands of Satan to carry out his rebellion against the
Son of God. ... A Mightier than Satan had chosen Saul to take the place of the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 10 the first christian.htm

The End of Self-Will
... rebels against God mars his own character. The miserable later years of Saul, haunted
and hunted as by a demon by his own indulged and swollen rebellion and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of self-will.htm

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
... he was, took no steps to put down Abner's rebellion. ... Saul's son was a poor, weak
creature, who would ... which leads men to set themselves against God's plans, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the bright dawn of a.htm

Will the Knowledge that Some of Our Own are Lost, Mar Our ...
... Saul slew his thousand, and David his ten thousand." King Saul was filled ... of those
fallen spirits who sided with him in his rebellion against God, and became ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xii will the knowledge.htm

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... these things cometh the wrath of God, on the ... specious measures are no better than
Saul's sacrificing, Uzzah's ... orders of the Most High, and rebellion against him ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxviii the danger of.htm

Saul Rejected
... that Saul had 'kicked,' like another Saul, 'against the pricks ... between the two pieces
of rebellion had been ... which the motive is disregard of God's plain command ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/saul rejected.htm

The Note of Accusation.
... Sin is rebellion against God; such has been their all-embracing ... the soul and its
position in the sight of God. ... alike lifted up their witness against a corrupt ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter i the note of.htm

Two Essential Things
... as sin, and of rebellion against law as rebellion against God. ... author of that glorious
hymn, "The God of Abraham ... Brethren, we must not imitate Saul, who spared ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/two essential things.htm

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... will of God, who had expressly commanded it; and yet the rebellion of the people
is justly condemned, because it was against the will of God that they ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm