SAUL’S FALL

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 09 February 2012

Hi all,

There’s something tragic about the death of King Saul. He had been an impressive young man, standing head and shoulders above most of his countrymen. * He was handsome, strong and modest. He was just what the people wanted. They demanded a king like the surrounding nations.

Samuel went to God and apologetically “told” God, the people didn’t want Him as their king. They wanted someone they could see and follow. Samuel had warned them what would happen if they insisted on making Saul their king. God consented. But even as I read God’s consent, I get the feeling that He was saying something like, “They want a king? Try this one for size.”

Moses had told them that one day that God would grant them a king. He would be from the tribe of Judah. It seems likely that God had already started making preparations for David. God’s only begotten Son would someday be called the Son of David. But the people couldn‘t wait for God’s timing. It’s rather like an advert that used to be on TV. “I want it and I want it now!” They were impatient. They sowed impatience and reaped an impatient man.

For forty years, Saul was on the throne. For most of these years, Saul treated the people much as Samuel warned them their king would behave. But it was too late. They were stuck with him.

We are told that power can drive us mad. If this is true, Saul was a good example. His fine mind crumbled. * He suffered from fits of madness, senseless jealousy and melancholy and became a periodic lunatic. In the end, desperate to hear something – anything from God, he consulted the witch of Endor. It’s interesting to record that she was the only known witch who survived his earlier attempt to rid his kingdom of idolatry and witchcraft!

Finally, he died by falling on his own sword. The Philistines beheaded his corpse and hung his body on the walls of their city. His kingdom was taken over by a red headed youngster who conquered a giant with a pebble and a slingshot. He was a Jew – descended from the tribe of Judah. In spite of all his faults, David was God’s chosen King. God saw Saul’s and David’s hearts. Saul went insane and failed. David went on to be the most loved king the Jewish people have ever known. Only those who have met King Jesus know a better King.

Today’s meditation looks at the fall of Saul and the implications for people today.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

* Some of the information was taken from “Who’s Who in the Bible” by Frank S Mead. A Spire book printed and published in 1976 by Pyramid Publications, for Fleming H Revel Company. Copyright © 1934 by Harper & Brothers. Renewed by Frank S Mead in 1961

Saul’s Fall

King Saul was a Benjamite. A son of Kish was he. The people had selected him. His genealogy, Disqualified from kingship, this tall and handsome man. But when the people wanted him, God told them, “Yes you can!” But it was a disaster. He set off rather well. But when he did a task that God reserved for Samuel, The kingdom was torn from him. He’d broken God’s command; And he was on the downward slope to losing all his land. Of course he didn’t abdicate. He tried to carry on. But in the fullness of the time, his kingly power was gone. His final act was played out, when He went to Endor. He went to see the local witch, to hear from her, his score. She conjured up a person who looked like Samuel. Who said his days were over. Today was his death knell. He’d die next day in battle, along with all his sons. The Philistines would win the day; his army’s day was done. And this is just what happened. Saul’s reign was at an end. This king was going to the grave. Too late to make amends. The Bible makes it very clear, one day we all shall be, Taken to a lifeless grave; the dead can’t hear or see. The grave takes all men captive; and they will be at rest, Waiting for the day they will arise at Christ’s behest. Until our certain ending, the best thing we can do, Is anything that comes to hand, to challenge me or you! There in the silence of the grave, each one of us must wait, Until the Master comes again. That’s when we’ll hear our fate. Christian “believers” will arise to their reward. Those who have resisted Him shall perish by His sword. But what about the “others”. Those who are unprepared? The Word of God tells plainly, they too will not be spared. They’ll join the unbelievers and share their frightful lot. It is the judgement’s sentence. Like it or like it not! I wish that I could change it. I wish I could repent, For those who thought God’s judgement, for them just wasn’t meant. But I have no authority. The Lord God has it all. I’d love to tell all nations the outcome of the fall. I’d love to take them with me. I wish that I could share, The love of the Lord Jesus for sinners everywhere. Jim Strickland – Written 9th February 2012