Learn a Valuable Lesson From the Life and Death of King Saul (2024)

FAQs

What lessons can we learn from the story of King Saul? ›

Because Saul was unable to put his trust in God's faithfulness, he lived his life enslaved to fear. We learn that freedom from enslavement to fear is possible through putting our faith in God and his unlimited power.

The failure to serve under command disqualified him from being in command. The failure to obey meant he was unfit to command the obedience of others. Spiritual leadership requires total obedience.

He became the apostle Paul and obeyed God faithfully for the rest of his life. King Saul lost God's favor because he disobeyed. Sin offends God, but through faith in Jesus Christ, people today can have forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

Saul was known as a good military leader and unifier of the tribes in Israel. After his early days as king, Saul's perceived sinful actions led to his tragic downfall. Saul reportedly performed unsanctioned sacrifices prior to battles, which angered some, including the esteemed Samuel.

He went from being someone who persecuted the church to someone willing to be persecuted for the church. In the end, Paul would give his life for the gospel. It's vital to recognize that no one is outside of God's reach. The fledgling church was probably praying hard for Paul, and for their persecutions to end.

God wanted Saul to tell others about Jesus and how he died on the cross to save us from our sins. God wanted Saul to tell others about forgiveness and heaven. God wanted Saul to stop hurting Christians in God's name and proclaim Jesus' story to everyone he met.

In essence, Saul's root character flaw is self-exaltation and self-deception. He thinks he knows better than everyone else, including God. The biggest tragedy is that he's not even aware of it. The story shows he is completely blind to his arrogance and always believes he's in the right.

This lesson on Saul's conversion teaches students that God completely transforms a person's life when they believe in Jesus. God chose Saul to be His instrument to share the Good News with the Gentiles. Students will learn that God has a purpose and plan for each person that places his/her faith in Jesus.

He failed to recognize that he was sitting on God's throne. Saul lacked the conviction that God was in charge—not himself. He had already had one very serious disobedience incident. He compounded that tragedy with a second even more serious rebellion.

Men see nothing but Saul's outward act, which seems small; but God saw that he did this with unbelief and distrust of his providence, with contempt of his authority and justice, and with rebellion against the light of his own conscience.

Why is Saul telling his story? ›

He is advised to share his story in order to find peace, but he is unable to share openly with others. Instead, he is given permission to write his story down, so that he can “get on with life.” Saul begins with the story of his grandfather Shabogeesick and how he earned the name Indian Horse.

Unwilling to warn Israel's deadly enemies, Jonah decides to run away instead of obeying God. But of course you can't run away from God, as we learn from the dramatic story that follows. God sends a great storm that threatens to destroy the ship; in their terror the sailors pray (each to his own god).

Best described as a tragic hero, Saul displayed a strength in battle and an ability to inspire his followers that place him high in the ranks of the military great. If unable finally to solve the Philistine problem, he nevertheless prevented their complete subjugation of the land.

But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs--everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

Saul appointed David leader over his armies, but he became jealous and angry because of David's success and sought to kill him.

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Together with his stalwart son Jonathan and an army composed largely of volunteers, he won significant victories over the Philistines and succeeded in driving them out of the central hills. A successful campaign against the Amalekites in the south is also recorded (1 Samuel 15).

Saul and his sons are killed in battle against the Philistines and their decapitated bodies hung on a city wall in shame. Saul's story ends in tragedy, disgrace, and failure.