In this blog post, we delve into the story of King Saul in the Bible and why He was rejected as King of Israel. We will also explore lessons on the relevance of the state of our heart in our relationship with God and how this shapes our destiny.
The Context of Israel’s Leadership before Saul became King
Before Saul’s reign, Israel was led by the Prophet Samuel. As Samuel got older, the people grew anxious about their future and who would lead them as a nation after Samuel. They demanded Samuel give them a king so that they could be like other nations, despite his warnings about the possible consequences. This moment set the stage for Saul’s anointing as King.
Saul is anointed as King
When God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel, he was unaware of this. His journey began like every other day when he was sent with a servant to find his father’s lost donkeys. When he couldn’t find the donkeys, his servant suggested they seek a prophet to help them by enquiring of the Lord for them. This led to his encounter with Samuel, who declared that God had chosen Him to be the King of Israel and although Saul did not feel qualified, Samuel declared God’s word over him and anointed him as king. This moment was marked by significant prophecies and a transformation in Saul’s life as noted in 1 Samuel 10:9.
‘When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.’ 1 Samuel 10:9
The Importance of Obedience
As King, Saul faced challenges, particularly from surrounding nations. There was a threat of an impending battle and protocol required the Prophet Samuel to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings to God before the people went to battle. However, when Samuel delayed, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifices himself. When Samuel returned, Saul refused to acknowledge his disobedience, and he did not show any remorse for His actions.
This led to a confrontation with Samuel, who declared that Saul’s kingdom would not continue because God wanted a man after His own heart.
‘But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.’ 1 Samuel 13:14
Saul had a heart of rebellion
Saul’s failure to acknowledge his wrongdoing and his lack of repentance to God highlighted a deeper issue: he had a heart of rebellion. He elevated the approval of the people over God’s commands and cared more about the Kingdom than what God wanted.
However, the Prophet Samuel emphasized that God prefers obedience to sacrifice, illustrating that God values a relationship over mere rituals.
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22
The Consequences of Disobedience
Saul’s continued disobedience, culminated in God rejecting him as king. In 1 Samuel 15:23, Samuel conveyed God’s message to Saul
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king.”
Samuel stated that Saul’s rebellious heart was comparable to the evil of witchcraft and his stubbornness was like idolatry. Because Saul elevated the approval of the people above God, holding on to the kingdom became an idol in his heart. See the blog post where we discuss, ‘What does the bible say about idolatry?’. Saul’s heart was not aligned with God’s, and this led to his downfall.
The Lesson Learned
The story of Saul serves as a powerful reminder that manifestation does not equate to a relationship with God. Saul experienced significant manifestations and prophecies initially, but He failed to seek a genuine relationship with the Lord. His focus on external appearances and the kingdom led him into rebellion and eventually destruction.
Key Takeaways
- The significance of a heart aligned with God.
- Disobeying God leads to a life of rebellion
- Manifestation does not equate to a relationship with God.
Conclusion
Saul’s rejection as king was not merely about his actions but the condition of his heart. The state of our heart will reveal whether we value a relationship with God or whether we are more interested in the things He can give us. Ultimately our hearts determine what becomes of our destiny as was the case with Saul who God rejected as King.
Dear friend, what is the state of your heart today?
‘Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.’ Proverbs 4:23
