At first, Saul is successful as a king, but his reign hit a series of pitfalls that will cost him dearly in the end. In this article, you will learn more about the Book of First Samuel, which highlights the actions of Saul that displeases God.
Chapter 11 states that he defeats the Ammonites in battle. However, he falters with a couple of blunders. In Chapter 13, it is revealed that he boldly offers a sacrifice and in the following chapter, he makes a foolhardy promise at the expense of his son Jonathan. In chapter 15, we learn that he disobeys the Lord’s direct command. As a result, consequences come for Saul, as God selected someone else to take his place. Saul no longer has the blessing of God, and an evil spirit starts to develop that turns Saul towards madness.
The next king is a youth named David. Samuel makes a trip to Bethlehem to anoint him , as seen in chapter 16. This is the same David who infamously becomes a hero for the bravery he shows against Goliath the Philistine. David serves in Saul’s court and takes Saul’s daughter as his wife. He also becomes friends with Saul’s son. Because of this, Saul is jealous of how successful and popular the youth is. Plans to kill David start to enter his thoughts. However, David flees and with the help of supernatural entities, David is able to escape from the wrath of Saul. These trials and tribulations are highlights in chapters 19 to 26. Although his father wishes him dead, David remains friends with Jonathan.
Towards the end of the book, Samuel dies and Saul is lost. As the eve of a battle with Philistia approaches, Saul wants answers. Since he has rejected God, he does not receive any help from heaven. He goes to a medium to have his questions answered. While attending a séance, the spirit of Samuel rises from the dead to deliver one last prophecy. He proclaims that Saul will die in battle on the following day. The prophecy comes true. Saul’s three sons (including David’s friend, Jonathan) perish in battle, and Saul takes his own life.
Significant verses of the Book of First Samuel include:
“But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king'” (1 Samuel 8:6-7)
“‘You acted foolishly,’ Samuel said. ‘You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command'”(1 Samuel 13:13-14).