WAS THERE A WAY OUT FOR SAUL?

 As I read the the middle chapters of I Samuel, my heart aches for King Saul.  Follow this progression:

I Samuel 16:14

Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.

I Samuel 18:6-10

When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands,

and David his tens of thousands.” 

Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.

The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

The saga of this jealousy goes on painfully for twelve more chapters until finally Saul takes his own life at the end of the book!  

From a twenty-first century perspective, we can wonder, was Saul Bi-Polar?  

What is this evil spirit from the Lord?

Music therapy seemed to help Saul - except his musician was the very one he had grown to hate!

Was there a way out for Saul?  

I came across a line in my reading that may have helped Saul:  

"The strongest defense against the attacks of jealousy is a grateful heart for what God has done in your life and what He is doing in the lives of others."

As one who has wrestled with the demons of depression, I've especially found the first part of this to be helpful!  No matter how badly I feel, I can ALWAYS find things to be thankful for!!!!  Now, I wish I could tell you that this is the first thing to come to my mind when depression comes knocking;  but it usually takes a bit of time for me to realize this.  However, once I realize it, the battle is almost over!  

Years ago, when I was worshiping with Steve and Judi Haydu and JESUS SAID Ministry in downtown Akron on Saturdays (with hundreds of homeless people), we often sang a song that really helped me:

God, You're so good to me, and You've always been so good to me!
I'll shout it through eternity! God, You're so good!   [Repeat]

CHORUS:

I wanna sing Your praises, all night long and every day!

I'll stand and worship You, the whole night through!

God, You're so merciful, and You've always been so merciful!

Your blessings are so bountiful, God, You're so good!  [Chorus]

God, You're so beautiful, and You're always been so beautiful!

Every day You're faithful, God, You're so good!

Call it music therapy - call it what you want - but by the time I sing this chorus, I always feel better!  Why?  Because Terry Clark has caught the simple essence of the goodness of God in these words and with her music!   

I just need reminded of it!  Saul needed reminded of it, but he had not allowed people into his life who could guide him.  He had shut himself off from wise counselors - and he suffered for it!  Don't do that!  Don't isolate yourself!  Always stay connected to people who can speak Godly truth into your life!  

Way back before the praise and worship movement began, we had a gospel song that had the same effect on me.  If you know it, sing it.  If you don't know it - read it and be reminded of God's goodness!  Leave jealousy and depression behind and move forward into God's goodness!

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly
And you will keep singing as the days go by

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small
Do not be disheartened, God is over all
Count your many blessings, angels will attend
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end

Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God hath done
Count your blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

SAUL

The story of Israel's first king is filled with contradictions and perplexities.  You'll find this history in I Samuel 8f.

The people of Israel approach Samuel (their spiritual leader) and asked him to appoint a king:  "We want a king over us.  Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."  [8:19-20]

Samuel was displeased at their request and prayed:  "...the LORD told him:  'Listen...it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.'"

Samuel proceeded to tell them all that would happen when they had a king:

• "He will take your sons and make them serve..."  [8:11]
• "He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers."  [8:13]
• "He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive fields..."  [8:14]
• "He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage..."  [8:15]
• "Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use."  [8:16]
• "He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves."  [8:17]

But still - they insisted on having a king.

Next, we are introduced to Saul, "...an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites - a head taller than any of the others."  [9:2].  

In his first biblical appearance, Saul is sent out (with a servant) by his father, Kish, to find some lost donkeys.  Margaret Feinberg writes:

"The first mention of someone in scripture often reveals something significant about the person's character.  The first king of Israel, Saul, is introduced as a young man trying unsuccessfully to find his father's donkeys.  This humerous scene hints at Saul's later inability to leads others well."  [SCOUTING THE DIVINE, p.57]

It is also worth noting that the first time around, God chooses a man who looks like a king.  The next time around, God looks on the heart.  [16:7]

We get another hint of Saul's lack of readiness to be king when Samuel comes to anoint him publicly and he can't be found [10:21-22]. 

Shortly after Saul is made king, the Ammonites threaten the village of Jabesh Gilead.  Saul rallies an army of over 330,000 men and wins a great victory.  To his credit, he proclaims, "...this day the LORD has rescued Israel."  [11:13].

Next, the Philistines assembled with a massive army to fight Israel.  Saul had been instructed by Samuel to wait for his arrival to make sacrifices before the battle.  Impatient in waiting, Saul offered up the burnt offering himself just before Samuel arrived.

Samuel said, "You acted foolishly...You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you...now your kingdom will not endure;  the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people..."  [12:13--14]

Saul's record of disobedience goes downhill from this point forward - even building a monument to himself [15:12].  As God favors David - the next king - Saul's rage becomes a decade-long obsession.  Samuel removes himself from Saul's presence.  Saul and his son, Jonathan (David's best friend) eventually die on the battlefield.  A sad ending to a legacy of disobedience.

What do we take away from this lengthy, Old Testament story?

• Good looks or strong stature does not guarantee success.
• One victory does not make an empire.
• Impatience is almost always a bad thing.
• Monuments are best built by others - not you.
• God never stopped being King of Israel;  He simply allowed Saul to be His earthly representative.  Saul never got that.  
• Nothing is more important than obedience to God's Word!