May 9, 2025 • 34 mins
Chapter 04 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 1 Samuel 14:47-15:35.
A Rejected King - A creeping evil begins to slither up Saul’s heart like a serpent in the reeds. The tearing between Saul’s ego and his devotion to God is put to the test.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Philippians 4:6-7, In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evan, your host for Heroes in
the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, please
share it with your family and friends and help us
spread God's word. Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David,
a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
(00:22):
few know about David the Man. I'm glad you're here
with me as we mind the depths of this renowned tale.
In this episode, Saul receives a second chance. He has
given the opportunity to avenge God's people and write a
past wrong. Will Saul be up to the challenge or
will he crumble under the weight of his own ego.
(00:43):
This particular episode is short but incredibly dark. Saul goes
on a bloody conquest in search of glory, but only
finds more disappointment and sadness. At the end, his vain
grasp at granddeur leave him empty, alone, and devoid of
God's favor. You may be wondering at this point in
the story about David.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Where is he?
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Why haven't we seen him yet? This series is not
supposed to be about Saul, So why have we heard
so much about him? These are fair questions to ask,
and you won't need to ask them for much longer.
Saul's spiraling descent sets the stage for David to enter,
But make no mistake, Saul isn't going anywhere. For better
(01:25):
or worse. Saw will remain in this story for a
long time. He is a walking reminder of the pitfalls
of pride. We should be careful to not show him
away too quickly. We need him as a reminder that
there is only one heartache for us when we succumb
to pride and anxiety. Take a different posture when you
listen to this episode. Instead of judging Saul, look at
(01:48):
him as if you were looking into a mirror. Look
at where your own ego has led you astray, then
look to Jesus for a way back. Saul isn't going
to be quite as introspective. But first we begin with
a prelude, a story from another space and time conveying
the same message. This prelude is more than just a
parallel story, though. This prelude is the beginning of a
(02:11):
long standing grudge God holds against a certain nation. Let's
listen episode four together a rejected king.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Prelude to chapter four. The sweet taste of freedom was
on the lips of Israel. God had delivered them out
of the grips of slavery and into the fresh air
of liberation. They basked in the glory of their savior
and cheered at the hope of a new land flowing
with milk and honey. The people of God were a
(02:45):
nation of former slaves, freed from captivity. They had no
weapons or military might. However, they did have the wealth
that was taken from Egypt. They had gold and livestock.
The Amalekites, who lived east of Egypt, proud like lions
in the reeds, ready to pounce. When the people were
at their most vulnerable, the Amalekites attacked. They raided God's
(03:09):
people from the rear and picked apart their elderly and children.
They stole Israel's wealth and took some of their women
as slaves. Children were taken from their parents and either
killed or enslaved. The men were struck down and made
a mockery of having taken advantage of the weary people
of Israel. The Amalekites fled back into the wilderness. They
(03:30):
left God's people even more vulnerable and helpless than they
already were. This God would not forget. He made a
promise to his people. After that, the Lord declared, through.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
The mouth of Moses, Remember what Amelek did to you
on the ways as you were fleeing Egypt. Remember how
he met you on the way and attacked you. Stragglers
were struck down, and the children were attacked. Amelek does
not fear God. Therefore it shall be when the Lord
(04:04):
your God has established you in the promised land, I
will blot out the remembrance of Amelek from under heaven.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
I will avenge you, and you shall never forget my faithfulness.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Chapter four, a rejected king blonde poured forth like rain
bursting from the clouds. Saul's once glimmering golden armor was
now drenched in scarlet as his soul fell on yet
another enemy. His veracity in battle had only increased since
his last encounter with the Philistines. He was spent on
(04:43):
proving his worth as king. The battlefield was laced with
the bodies of dead molebites. To Saul's pleasure, he had
cut down the raiders who had attacked the storehouses at Jericho.
His large chest raised up and down with his heavy breathing.
He was plea with himself for defending his kingdom, but
not satisfied with just one victory. Saul's broad shoulders carried
(05:08):
the weight of israel safety. It was a heavy burden,
yet he was determined to bear it alone. He raged
against every nation that came against them. Saul then took
his army to the Ammonites. They had raided the borders
of Israel near Jerash for years, and the people were
growing weary. Saul marched up against them to strike them
(05:29):
at their heels. The battle was arduous and painful. However,
Saul continued to press in with force. He marched at
the front of a battle, making it known that he
was the king of Israel. He wanted to make his
name known among the nations. He wanted the other kings
to tremble in fear when they saw him ride. He
did the same to the Edomites and the kings of Zoba.
(05:52):
Saul slashed at their armies, wounding them but not striking
them down completely. For all his striving, he was able
to defend his country, but conquest eluded him. Saul became
obsessed with war. It consumed his thoughts day and night.
Israel was surrounded by enemies on almost every side, and
(06:12):
Saul felt the incredible pressure of protecting the people and
making his kingdom great. However, the stroke of Saul's sword
was broad but shallow. Because Saul was not a man
after God's own heart, and because his own relationship with
God was more about image than substance, his kingdom would
not expand. Everything he sought to conquer seemed to fall
(06:33):
short of the ultimate glory he was searching for. The
lack of complete victory left him with an ache in
his heart he could not mend. After his battle with
the Edomites, Saul retreated to his fortress in Gibea. The
palace halls were arrayed with tapestries telling of his greatest battles.
Silver lamps stand stood tall around the perimeter of his
(06:55):
throne room. His throne was finally carved out of cedar
and draped in furs and hand woven purple blankets. Saul
rested back on his throne, staring blankly at the large
fire burning in the middle of the hall. Its flames
were enchanting, filling up the room with heat. Saul's body
(07:16):
was weary for months of battle, but his mind was
racing and unable to rest. He had successfully staved off
enemy attacks, amassed a large army to contend with surrounding nations,
and sired children who were successful in battle, Yet happiness
eluded him. He slouched back in his throne like a
defeated man. He longed for purpose beyond battle. He longed
(07:40):
for the voice of God. As Saul brooded over the fire,
the doors of the throne room creaked open. Light from
outside came through, and a silhouetted figure entered in. Saul
sat up in his throne and watched the hooded figure
limp forward. He recognized the staff in the man's hands.
The cloaked man sat by the fire and gestured for
(08:01):
Saul to come forward. Saul left his throne and bent
a need at the man. He removed his hood. It
was Samuel. Saul grabbed Samuel's robe and pressed his face
against it. The large king knelt before the old priest
in silence. Samuel said nothing. He simply placed his hand
on the king's head. Saul, unable to control himself, burst
(08:26):
into tears. The sound of his sobs filled the halls
and echoed through the palace. He clung to Samuel tightly.
Samuel looked down at Saul with great pity. He knew
that the removal of God's favor was torture for the
first King of Israel. For years, he had marched without
the power of God's spirit. His heart was growing weary
(08:50):
and faint.
Speaker 6 (08:51):
You are still king of Israel, are you.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Not, Samuel said. Hearing Samuel's voice again was like fresh
water to Saul. The king nodded in silence. Samuel continued, saying.
Speaker 6 (09:03):
The Lord has sent me to anoint you for his
next battle. The people of Amelek have raged against Israel
for generations. Thus, says the Lord, I will punish Amelek
for what they did to Israel long ago. When they
were fleeing from Egypt. They ambushed Israel and took advantage
of the weakened people who had just fled from slavery.
(09:24):
Now go and attack the Amalekites. Destroy them all and
spare no one, and take no spoil of war.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Saul looked up at Samuel. This was his chance to
redeem himself. The Lord had given him a task, and
he was determined to see it through. Saul kissed Samuel's
hand in reverence, bowed, and stood up to amass his army.
Two hundred thousand men stood armed and ready behind their king.
(09:51):
The sun had risen over the valleys of Tulamee. Saul's
armor glimmered in the sun, bursting with color and glory.
He sent messengers to the Kenites who lived on the
border of the Amalekite land. He warned them that the
armies of Israel were prepared to fight, and that they
should flee quickly, since no one would be spared. The
(10:12):
messenger snuck into the village and said.
Speaker 6 (10:15):
Depart from the land quickly. Your people showed kindness to
our ancestors when they came out of Egypt. Flee and
save yourselves.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
So the Kenites did as they were told. Saul's mercy
towards the Kenites made him even more beloved among his men.
Once they had fled, Saul raised his sword high in
the air. His strong arm gave hope to the men
behind him. They roared like mighty waves. Saul swung his
sword forward, gesturing for them to advance together. Two hundred
(10:45):
thousand of them marched upon the city of Babylah. The
men marched with spears and swords, ready to ambush the
Amalekites and enact vengeance for the years of cruelty. However,
they would not be conquered so easily. Agag, the Amalekite,
had caught wind of their ambush early enough to call
his troops to the north gates. They waited there for
(11:05):
the Israelites to break through. However, Saul was already a
step ahead of a Gag. He had half of his
army break to the left around to the western border.
Before Agag could rally enough men to the other side.
Saul was able to strike. The armies of Israel burst
forth leg a tidal wave on the cities of the
Amalekites from Havila all the way to Shur. God's people
(11:28):
utterly destroyed the oppressors of the East. In all his
years of striving, Saul had never experienced such a conquest.
He watched as the Amalekite people quivered in fear at
the sight of him. They knew his name, and they
knew his sword. Saul bassed in the glory, burning down
the Amalekite cities and reducing them to ashes. He led
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a company of his men through the streets of Havila.
They burst through the gates of Agag's palace and cut
down the guards with ease. Hey all marched forward with
fire in his belly. With his massive leg, he kicked
open the door of Agag's estate. The door frayed into pieces.
The king slowly walked forward to see Agag and his
(12:11):
men armed and ready in the middle of the palace halls.
Agag's men took the first step forward and attacked. SAAL's
men retaliated swiftly, disarming them and pinning them to the
wall with their own spears. King Agag gripped his sword tightly.
His eyes were filled with hatred, not fear. He advanced
towards Saul, going straight for the neck. Saul parried the
(12:34):
attack and returned with a slash of his sword to
the ankles. Agag fell to the floor, and Saul pressed
his sword against the king's neck. Agag looked up and laughed.
Speaker 7 (12:45):
So you are Israel's ruler, A peasant Kig for a
peasant people.
Speaker 3 (12:51):
He scoffed. Saul kicked Agag and the jaw, sending him
to the floor. Agag simply laughed more and wiped his chin.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
Ha, you have conquered my city, but do not think
that makes you a king.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
He spat in Sal's direction.
Speaker 7 (13:07):
Your stench of a country will burn under a mightier
and more noble army. You and your god will be forgotten.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Sal leaned down and grabbed Agag by the hair. He
lifted him up to eye level and said, you will
know my glory, Agag, you will see it expand before
your very eyes. He threw the Amalekit king onto the
floor and gestured to his men.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Bind the king with rope. Then take all his wealth.
Take the wealth of the city, the sheep, the oxen,
and the calves. I want a Gag to watch his eye.
Take everything he and his ancestors have worked for. I
(13:53):
want him to watch my glory expand at his expense.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
The men did as they were told, and Saul took
Agag and the spoils of war back to Israel. Saul
entered in on a stolen chariot, and the people of
Israel cheered. They sang songs in the streets to him
and chanted his name. Saul basked in the glory of
his conquest. He paraded Agag around like an animal on ropes.
(14:19):
The people laughed and rejoiced in the gold, silver, and
livestock that Saul had taken. Finally they had a kingdom
that could conquer other kingdoms. Finally they had a conquering
king who would bring their nation into glory. Saul beamed
with pride and led Agag and the spoils of war
back to his palace in Gilgal. There he held a
(14:41):
celebration for the victory over the Amalekites. The nobility of
Israel filled the halls of Saul's palace. The food and
wine were endless, and the music echoed throughout the cities
of Israel. Saul drank and laughed to his heart's content,
keeping Agag tied closely to his throne like a dog.
Exotic dancers laced the perimeter of his throne, room swag
(15:04):
to the music. Beside the lamp stance, Saul lounged back
with a cup in his hand, raising it to his
own glory. Miles from Saul's palace, Samuel sat underneath the stars.
The biting breeze signaled that winter was fast approaching. Samuel
wrapped himself tightly with his robe and shivered. He sensed
(15:26):
an uneasiness in the air. The peace of the land
had been disrupted, and Samuel could sense the furious heart
of God. The prophet closed his eyes and listened. The
wind howled across the valley. Amidst the wind and rustling bushes,
a voice spoke.
Speaker 5 (15:44):
I greatly regret Saul's anointing as king. He has turned
his back on me and pursued his own glory instead
of mine.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Samuel was grieved by God's words. He felt the very
same pain that the Lord expressed. Samuel had once seen
glimmers of light break forth from Saul's heart. He had
moments of greatness and humility. However, his pride had taken
hold of him like weeds to a garden. Samuel fell
to his knees and wept. The wind drowned out the
(16:18):
sound of his grief. He had warned the people about
anointing a king, However he did not rejoice in being right.
He lamented because of it. His tears turned to frost
as they fell on the grass. He knew what he
had to do. He had to go and reject the
king of Israel. Early the next morning, before the sun rose,
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Samuel departed for Gilgal, the old Prophet, passed through Carmel.
It was dark and the stillness of morning was refreshing
to his soul. As Samuel walked through, he saw a
monument hewn from clay. It was large and glorious. Samuel
looked at it closely, seeing the engravings at the bottom
of the monument to the glory of King Saul.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
It read.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Samuel's peaceful demeanor quickly turned to rage. Saul had erected
a monument to himself. He truly was a golden calf.
Samuel opened the doors of Saul's palace. The throne room
reeked of spilt wine and debauchery. Many of his guests
were asleep, knocked out from the revelry of the evening.
(17:31):
Saul was asleep on his throne with two women at
his feet and on his lap. Beside him was King Agag,
still tied to rope, with his face beaten and bruised.
The clamoring of pillied sheep and oxen echoed from the outside.
Samuel stopped in the middle of the room. He looked
at the king, then back of the pit of coals
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resting on an iron stand. Although the flames were gone,
the coal still radiated heat. The sound of snoring from
the nobles guards back Samuel. He hated that they were
sleeping atop the spoils of war that God so clearly
told them not to take. Samuel took his staff and
slammed it against the iron firepit. He flipped it over,
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spilling coals all over the floor. The loud noise awoke
everyone in the room, causing a small panic. Saul awoke
and saw Samuel standing before him. He threw the women
off him and gestured for everyone in attendance to leave.
Saul composed himself, adjusted the crown on his head, and smiled.
The king walked up to Samuel, beaming with pride. He
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opened his arms wide and said, glass, it'd be the
name of the Lord Samuel. I have done what was
asked of me. Samuel peered at Saul, trying to discern
whether he was lying or truly believed he had obeyed God.
Speaker 6 (18:49):
Why then do I hear the bleeding of sheep in
my ears and the lowing of oxen outside?
Speaker 3 (18:55):
Saul scratched the back of his head and gave a
nervous grin.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
The people brought them in from the Malakites. They spared
the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to
the Lord your God. The rest we have surely devoted
to destruction. They have been burned ash with the rest
of the land, just as God commanded. In fact, I
was just going to prepare everything for you to sacrifice
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to God. A even silence, the king stepped backwards over
some spilled calls. The prophet lifted his staff and marched
forward towards Saul.
Speaker 6 (19:30):
I am weary of your lies, Saul, enough of your
back pedaling and false holiness. I will tell you what
the Lord has said to me last night.
Speaker 3 (19:38):
Saul gulped and feigned confidence speak. He said, with a
polite gesture.
Speaker 6 (19:43):
Are you so little in your own eyes that you
need to strive for more glory? Samuel asked, the Lord
anointed you king of Israel. Was that not enough? You
had to march forward and prove your worth, Yet you failed.
The Lord sent you on a mission. He told you
to go and destroyed the sinners who oppressed your people.
Why did you not obey his voice? Why did you
(20:05):
pounce on the spoils of war when God clearly told
you not to.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
Saul's demeanor went from innocence to anger. He puffed out
his chest and furrowed his brow. He raised his voice
and bellowed, I have obeyed. The declaration echoed across the
empty halls. Samuel did not waver at the voice of
the king. Although Saul was large and intimidating in stature,
(20:30):
he saw him for the small boy he was. Saul continued, saying.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
I marched forward and conquered the people, just as God commanded.
I brought a gag the king of Amelek to show
our victory. I devoted the entire city to destruction. I
have done nothing wrong. It was the people who took
the spoil of war. They took the sheep, oxen gold.
Yet I have commanded this day for all of it
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to be given to God in sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Chest puffed up and down in anger, Samuel stood upright
and grasped his staff firmly. He lifted his head to
the king. His eyes were piercing. They peered directly into
Saul's heart. A chill rushed up saul spine. He knew
that his false sense of dismay did not fool Samuel.
The prophet spoke quietly, yet his words were like nails
(21:23):
being driven straight into Saul's chest.
Speaker 6 (21:26):
Does not the Lord delight in obedience as he does
burnt offerings and sacrifices. Behold, it is better in God's
sight to obey him and to listen, than to sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
At the altar, Samuel pressed his staff against the spilled coal.
It crunched underneath, causing sparks to pop up.
Speaker 6 (21:45):
Rebellion is like witchcraft to him, Samuel said, And stubbornness
is as sinful to him as idle worship.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
The prophet walked past Saul the approached the throne. He
lifted the furs and the fine purple fabric off in disgust.
He tossed it aside and looked at Saul.
Speaker 6 (22:02):
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord. He
has rejected you as king.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Saul's eyes widened, and he quickly changed his demeanor to desperation.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
I have sin, Samuel, I have transgressed against the commands
of God. I feared the people. I obeyed their voice.
I should have listened to God instead of them. But
I swear it was not my idea. Please pardon my
sins and restore me to God.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
A chuckle could be heard from the corner of the room.
King Agag was still tied up to the side. He
scoffed and shook his head at Saul. He was there
when Saul gave the command. He knew the truth. Samuel
did as well.
Speaker 6 (22:48):
I will not go anywhere with you, Saul. You have
rejected the word of God, and the Lord has rejected
you as king.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Samuel turned to leave. Saul felt his knees tremble and
his throat show cop with tears. He frantically chased Samuel, saying.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
No, please pray with me, Samuel.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
Saul shouted. The prophet continued to leave.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Listen to me, Samuel, you must forgive me.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Saul protested. However, Samuel did not look at the king.
He continued to walk. Out of complete desperation. Saul seized
the back of Samuel's robe and pulled him. The robe tore,
exposing part of his back to the cold air. Saul
stood there with the peace of the robe in his hand.
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Samuel turned to the king with sorrow in his eyes.
Speaker 6 (23:38):
Just as you have torn my robe, so the Lord
has torn the Kingdom of Israel from you. This kingdom
will go to another. God has already chosen him. He
is a man that seeks after the heart of God
more than the heart of people.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Tears fell from Saul's eyes. He fell to the ground
and wept at Samuel's feet.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Please, Samuel, I have sinned. At least let me pray
with you in front of the elders.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Samuel allowed the elders to come in, and they all
watched a Saul prayed. A snicker could be heard from
across the room. Agag was leaning against the cedar pillar,
reveling in saul shame. Bring him to me, Samuel said.
Agag came before the prophet, smiling. He was pleased to
see the prophet beckon him. Surely, if he was spared
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by the warrior king, he would be spared by the
old priest. Agag held his head high and said.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Surely we are past the bitterness of death. Let's be
done with this silly thing.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Samuel off the end of his staff and jammed it
into an Agag's stomach. The king kneeled over in pain, groaning.
Samuel swung his staff again at Agag's head, causing him
to fall completely to the ground. Samuel took SAAL's sword
right out of his sheath and pointed at to towards
a Gag. He peered down at him and said.
Speaker 6 (25:03):
Just as your sword has made many women childless, your
mother will be childless this day.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Without warning or pretense, Samuel swung the sword downwards Agag's head.
The first blow did not kill a Gag. The king
screamed in pain. His panicked cries filled the air as
his blood spilled over the floor. Saul and the elders
watched in horrific shock as Samuel capped his sword downward
at Agag. With each blow, Agag's strings grew quieter and quieter,
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until he was dead and cut into pieces. Samuel was
out of breath, his face and robes were completely drenched
in blood. Without a word, he gave Saul his sword back,
picked up his staff, and limped out of the palace.
He went back to Ramah and did not return. He
would not see Saul again until the day he died.
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He grieved the fall of Saul. Both he and the
Lord were filled with regrets.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
What is the role of a king in God's eyes?
We see in scripture that the king's primary responsibility was
making sure God's will was done among the people. He
was supposed to deliver the people from their enemies and
lead them down a righteous path. The king was held
more accountable than others because of his high calling. We
will see later on in the series that God will
not allow his anointed kings to get away with much.
(26:29):
The crown of God comes with expectations, and we have
seen Saul continually fall short of those expectations. Episode four
begins with the story taken from Exodus. The Amlkites were
ruthless against the helpless people of Israel, and God promised
to avenge them when the time was right. Even though
generations had passed since the original crimes of Amelek, their
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wickedness had abided throughout the years. They were renowned for
their cruelty, and God knew the land would be better
off if they were wiped out. So who does God
called to carry out his vengeance the King of Israel.
It has been a long time since Saul has received
any direct message from Samuel, let alone the Lord himself.
God is extending another chance to Saul. Let's pause for
(27:17):
a moment and consider the goodness of God. As unprecedented
and erratic as Saul has become, God is still offering
him a chance to do the right thing be in
carriage that the Lord always has a hand of mercy
extended to you, and there is always an opportunity to
obey him. This is Saul's chance to rekindle the flame
and set himself on the right track. God commands Saul
(27:40):
to go against the Amnkites as retribution for their past sins. Saul,
as the king of God's nation, is being asked to
represent him on the battlefield. This second chance comes at
a good time for Saul. He has been spiraling emotionally
for years. His soul yearned for some sort of purpose,
and now he finally gets the chance to seize the day.
(28:03):
Saul gathered his army and galloped to Amelek with passion.
To Sauls surprise, he experienced immediate victory. He had almost
forgotten what the favor of God felt like. For so long,
Saul felt like he was running uphill and against the wind.
Everything he did, big or small, seemed exhausting. Fighting with
God's favor felt like he was running with the wind
(28:26):
at his back, charging downhill. Unfortunately, immediately after his victory,
Saul took a dark turn. He fell into the trap
of pride once again and confused God's victory with his own.
This is a common trap we can all slip into.
Just like Saul took credit for Jonathan's victory in the
last episode, he was taking credit for God's victory. He
(28:49):
let it go to his head and immediately started slipping
back into his old tendencies. A Gag, the king of
the Amlykites, played a part in this. He mocked saul
those validity is king, thus poking at Saul's sensitive areas.
Saul gave in and did the exact opposite of what
God told him to do. God told him to wipe
(29:09):
everything out. He was told to take no prisoners and
take no spoils. Saul disobeyed both of those commands. He
took Agag and his riches back to Israel. He paraded
them around Israel like trophies, and once again chose the
praise of the people over obedience to God. If you
listen to the story again, you will see Saul talk
(29:30):
a lot about his glory. When he faces Agag, he says,
you will know my glory, Agag, you will see it
expand before your very eyes. When he ordered his men
to take Agag's treasure, he said, I want him to
watch my glory expand at his expense. Saul can't seem
to help himself. He wants his own glory over God's,
(29:51):
and that's why he takes Agag and his treasure back
to Israel. You may be thinking at this point, what
the heck is wrong with Saul. He just can't seem
to get out of his own way. Well, let's take
a minute to consider our own hearts. We willingly disobey
God all the time, but since Saul is a king,
the stakes are higher and the focus on him is greater.
(30:14):
We must be careful in judging these characters too harshly.
They are flawed human beings like you and I. A
big difference between Saul and us is the level of
scrutiny put on us. If you were the king or
queen of Israel, many of your flaws would be put
on display for all to see. As well, we have
stories like sauls to provide us with wisdom so we
(30:35):
don't repeat his mistakes. Saul's glory is short lived. Samuel
comes to face Saul and it is not a pleasant experience.
Samuel is livid. He demands an explanation from Saul, and
the king once again refuses to take responsibility for his actions.
He blames the people and feigns ignorance, and when that
doesn't work, he tries to justify his actions and claims
(30:58):
it was for the glory of God. Samuel isn't fooled,
and neither is God. Saul is so caught up in
the appearance of holiness that he neglected his heart. This
is an important theme that will be explored in the
next episode. God cares very little about the outward appearance
of holiness to everyone else. Saul seemed to be a
good and righteous king, but his heart was consumed with vanity.
(31:21):
Samuel once again mentions the promise of a new king.
He says, this kingdom will go to another. God has
already chosen him. He is a man that seeks after
the heart of God more than the heart of people.
Samuel has mentioned this mysterious king a few times now.
What is the consistent description of this king? He will
be a man after the heart of God. This is
(31:43):
truly where Saul has fallen short. He wants the heart
of the people so badly, but doesn't really seem to
care about the heart of God. Saul's outward faithfulness is
a sham. It may fool the people, but it doesn't
fool God. He has had enough of Saul's vapid and
empty religion. When Samuel knocks over the coals and stomps
on them, it is an image of a reset. Saul's
(32:06):
flame is being snuffed out. It is time for a
fresh start. A new king is going to rise up
and take the kingdom away from Saul. Samuel declares this
to the king, and he begs for forgiveness. It is
not a good look for Saul. He whinds and begs
like a child to no avail. God has made up
his mind. The final scene is a gruesome one. Samuel
(32:30):
beheads Agag, thus accomplishing the will of God. It was
sloppy and unceremonious, but it was done. Samuel cared more
about the will of God than any sort of flashy ceremony.
Agag was killed just like God wanted. Samuel departs and
leaves Saul in darkness. Nobody but Saul and Samuel know
that God has rejected him as king. Saul is able
(32:53):
to maintain the appearance of holiness all the while separated
from the heart of God. Is this something you can
relate to Do you have the appearance of holiness all
the while feeling distant from God? Do you feel trapped
by people's perception of you? Know that there are a
thousand second chances given to us in Christ. Seek him
and you will find him. Humble yourself and he will
(33:15):
lift you up. James tells us that God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble. Saul's life is an
example of this principle. The thing that keeps us most
distant from God is our pride. If we humbly run
back to him, grace is given Freely consider and pray
about these things. I'm confident God will meet you in
(33:35):
your wondering. In our next episode, we will finally get
to meet the promised King of Israel. Unlike Saul, he
doesn't look like a king, but we will come to
find out God isn't looking for a king at all,
He's looking for a shepherd. Join us next time as
we meet the one and Only David. Thanks again for listening.
(33:56):
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com. If you've enjoyed
these podcasts so far, please share it with your family
and friends, and help us spray at God's word
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evan, your host for Heroes in
the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, please
share it with your family and friends and help us
spread God's word. Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David,
a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
(00:22):
few know about David the Man. I'm glad you're here
with me as we mind the depths of this renowned tale.
In this episode, Saul receives a second chance. He has
given the opportunity to avenge God's people and write a
past wrong. Will Saul be up to the challenge or
will he crumble under the weight of his own ego.
(00:43):
This particular episode is short but incredibly dark. Saul goes
on a bloody conquest in search of glory, but only
finds more disappointment and sadness. At the end, his vain
grasp at granddeur leave him empty, alone, and devoid of
God's favor. You may be wondering at this point in
the story about David.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Where is he?
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Why haven't we seen him yet? This series is not
supposed to be about Saul, So why have we heard
so much about him? These are fair questions to ask,
and you won't need to ask them for much longer.
Saul's spiraling descent sets the stage for David to enter,
But make no mistake, Saul isn't going anywhere. For better
(01:25):
or worse. Saw will remain in this story for a
long time. He is a walking reminder of the pitfalls
of pride. We should be careful to not show him
away too quickly. We need him as a reminder that
there is only one heartache for us when we succumb
to pride and anxiety. Take a different posture when you
listen to this episode. Instead of judging Saul, look at
(01:48):
him as if you were looking into a mirror. Look
at where your own ego has led you astray, then
look to Jesus for a way back. Saul isn't going
to be quite as introspective. But first we begin with
a prelude, a story from another space and time conveying
the same message. This prelude is more than just a
parallel story, though. This prelude is the beginning of a
(02:11):
long standing grudge God holds against a certain nation. Let's
listen episode four together a rejected king.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Prelude to chapter four. The sweet taste of freedom was
on the lips of Israel. God had delivered them out
of the grips of slavery and into the fresh air
of liberation. They basked in the glory of their savior
and cheered at the hope of a new land flowing
with milk and honey. The people of God were a
(02:45):
nation of former slaves, freed from captivity. They had no
weapons or military might. However, they did have the wealth
that was taken from Egypt. They had gold and livestock.
The Amalekites, who lived east of Egypt, proud like lions
in the reeds, ready to pounce. When the people were
at their most vulnerable, the Amalekites attacked. They raided God's
(03:09):
people from the rear and picked apart their elderly and children.
They stole Israel's wealth and took some of their women
as slaves. Children were taken from their parents and either
killed or enslaved. The men were struck down and made
a mockery of having taken advantage of the weary people
of Israel. The Amalekites fled back into the wilderness. They
(03:30):
left God's people even more vulnerable and helpless than they
already were. This God would not forget. He made a
promise to his people. After that, the Lord declared, through.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
The mouth of Moses, Remember what Amelek did to you
on the ways as you were fleeing Egypt. Remember how
he met you on the way and attacked you. Stragglers
were struck down, and the children were attacked. Amelek does
not fear God. Therefore it shall be when the Lord
(04:04):
your God has established you in the promised land, I
will blot out the remembrance of Amelek from under heaven.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
I will avenge you, and you shall never forget my faithfulness.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Chapter four, a rejected king blonde poured forth like rain
bursting from the clouds. Saul's once glimmering golden armor was
now drenched in scarlet as his soul fell on yet
another enemy. His veracity in battle had only increased since
his last encounter with the Philistines. He was spent on
(04:43):
proving his worth as king. The battlefield was laced with
the bodies of dead molebites. To Saul's pleasure, he had
cut down the raiders who had attacked the storehouses at Jericho.
His large chest raised up and down with his heavy breathing.
He was plea with himself for defending his kingdom, but
not satisfied with just one victory. Saul's broad shoulders carried
(05:08):
the weight of israel safety. It was a heavy burden,
yet he was determined to bear it alone. He raged
against every nation that came against them. Saul then took
his army to the Ammonites. They had raided the borders
of Israel near Jerash for years, and the people were
growing weary. Saul marched up against them to strike them
(05:29):
at their heels. The battle was arduous and painful. However,
Saul continued to press in with force. He marched at
the front of a battle, making it known that he
was the king of Israel. He wanted to make his
name known among the nations. He wanted the other kings
to tremble in fear when they saw him ride. He
did the same to the Edomites and the kings of Zoba.
(05:52):
Saul slashed at their armies, wounding them but not striking
them down completely. For all his striving, he was able
to defend his country, but conquest eluded him. Saul became
obsessed with war. It consumed his thoughts day and night.
Israel was surrounded by enemies on almost every side, and
(06:12):
Saul felt the incredible pressure of protecting the people and
making his kingdom great. However, the stroke of Saul's sword
was broad but shallow. Because Saul was not a man
after God's own heart, and because his own relationship with
God was more about image than substance, his kingdom would
not expand. Everything he sought to conquer seemed to fall
(06:33):
short of the ultimate glory he was searching for. The
lack of complete victory left him with an ache in
his heart he could not mend. After his battle with
the Edomites, Saul retreated to his fortress in Gibea. The
palace halls were arrayed with tapestries telling of his greatest battles.
Silver lamps stand stood tall around the perimeter of his
(06:55):
throne room. His throne was finally carved out of cedar
and draped in furs and hand woven purple blankets. Saul
rested back on his throne, staring blankly at the large
fire burning in the middle of the hall. Its flames
were enchanting, filling up the room with heat. Saul's body
(07:16):
was weary for months of battle, but his mind was
racing and unable to rest. He had successfully staved off
enemy attacks, amassed a large army to contend with surrounding nations,
and sired children who were successful in battle, Yet happiness
eluded him. He slouched back in his throne like a
defeated man. He longed for purpose beyond battle. He longed
(07:40):
for the voice of God. As Saul brooded over the fire,
the doors of the throne room creaked open. Light from
outside came through, and a silhouetted figure entered in. Saul
sat up in his throne and watched the hooded figure
limp forward. He recognized the staff in the man's hands.
The cloaked man sat by the fire and gestured for
(08:01):
Saul to come forward. Saul left his throne and bent
a need at the man. He removed his hood. It
was Samuel. Saul grabbed Samuel's robe and pressed his face
against it. The large king knelt before the old priest
in silence. Samuel said nothing. He simply placed his hand
on the king's head. Saul, unable to control himself, burst
(08:26):
into tears. The sound of his sobs filled the halls
and echoed through the palace. He clung to Samuel tightly.
Samuel looked down at Saul with great pity. He knew
that the removal of God's favor was torture for the
first King of Israel. For years, he had marched without
the power of God's spirit. His heart was growing weary
(08:50):
and faint.
Speaker 6 (08:51):
You are still king of Israel, are you.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Not, Samuel said. Hearing Samuel's voice again was like fresh
water to Saul. The king nodded in silence. Samuel continued, saying.
Speaker 6 (09:03):
The Lord has sent me to anoint you for his
next battle. The people of Amelek have raged against Israel
for generations. Thus, says the Lord, I will punish Amelek
for what they did to Israel long ago. When they
were fleeing from Egypt. They ambushed Israel and took advantage
of the weakened people who had just fled from slavery.
(09:24):
Now go and attack the Amalekites. Destroy them all and
spare no one, and take no spoil of war.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Saul looked up at Samuel. This was his chance to
redeem himself. The Lord had given him a task, and
he was determined to see it through. Saul kissed Samuel's
hand in reverence, bowed, and stood up to amass his army.
Two hundred thousand men stood armed and ready behind their king.
(09:51):
The sun had risen over the valleys of Tulamee. Saul's
armor glimmered in the sun, bursting with color and glory.
He sent messengers to the Kenites who lived on the
border of the Amalekite land. He warned them that the
armies of Israel were prepared to fight, and that they
should flee quickly, since no one would be spared. The
(10:12):
messenger snuck into the village and said.
Speaker 6 (10:15):
Depart from the land quickly. Your people showed kindness to
our ancestors when they came out of Egypt. Flee and
save yourselves.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
So the Kenites did as they were told. Saul's mercy
towards the Kenites made him even more beloved among his men.
Once they had fled, Saul raised his sword high in
the air. His strong arm gave hope to the men
behind him. They roared like mighty waves. Saul swung his
sword forward, gesturing for them to advance together. Two hundred
(10:45):
thousand of them marched upon the city of Babylah. The
men marched with spears and swords, ready to ambush the
Amalekites and enact vengeance for the years of cruelty. However,
they would not be conquered so easily. Agag, the Amalekite,
had caught wind of their ambush early enough to call
his troops to the north gates. They waited there for
(11:05):
the Israelites to break through. However, Saul was already a
step ahead of a Gag. He had half of his
army break to the left around to the western border.
Before Agag could rally enough men to the other side.
Saul was able to strike. The armies of Israel burst
forth leg a tidal wave on the cities of the
Amalekites from Havila all the way to Shur. God's people
(11:28):
utterly destroyed the oppressors of the East. In all his
years of striving, Saul had never experienced such a conquest.
He watched as the Amalekite people quivered in fear at
the sight of him. They knew his name, and they
knew his sword. Saul bassed in the glory, burning down
the Amalekite cities and reducing them to ashes. He led
(11:51):
a company of his men through the streets of Havila.
They burst through the gates of Agag's palace and cut
down the guards with ease. Hey all marched forward with
fire in his belly. With his massive leg, he kicked
open the door of Agag's estate. The door frayed into pieces.
The king slowly walked forward to see Agag and his
(12:11):
men armed and ready in the middle of the palace halls.
Agag's men took the first step forward and attacked. SAAL's
men retaliated swiftly, disarming them and pinning them to the
wall with their own spears. King Agag gripped his sword tightly.
His eyes were filled with hatred, not fear. He advanced
towards Saul, going straight for the neck. Saul parried the
(12:34):
attack and returned with a slash of his sword to
the ankles. Agag fell to the floor, and Saul pressed
his sword against the king's neck. Agag looked up and laughed.
Speaker 7 (12:45):
So you are Israel's ruler, A peasant Kig for a
peasant people.
Speaker 3 (12:51):
He scoffed. Saul kicked Agag and the jaw, sending him
to the floor. Agag simply laughed more and wiped his chin.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
Ha, you have conquered my city, but do not think
that makes you a king.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
He spat in Sal's direction.
Speaker 7 (13:07):
Your stench of a country will burn under a mightier
and more noble army. You and your god will be forgotten.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Sal leaned down and grabbed Agag by the hair. He
lifted him up to eye level and said, you will
know my glory, Agag, you will see it expand before
your very eyes. He threw the Amalekit king onto the
floor and gestured to his men.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Bind the king with rope. Then take all his wealth.
Take the wealth of the city, the sheep, the oxen,
and the calves. I want a Gag to watch his eye.
Take everything he and his ancestors have worked for. I
(13:53):
want him to watch my glory expand at his expense.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
The men did as they were told, and Saul took
Agag and the spoils of war back to Israel. Saul
entered in on a stolen chariot, and the people of
Israel cheered. They sang songs in the streets to him
and chanted his name. Saul basked in the glory of
his conquest. He paraded Agag around like an animal on ropes.
(14:19):
The people laughed and rejoiced in the gold, silver, and
livestock that Saul had taken. Finally they had a kingdom
that could conquer other kingdoms. Finally they had a conquering
king who would bring their nation into glory. Saul beamed
with pride and led Agag and the spoils of war
back to his palace in Gilgal. There he held a
(14:41):
celebration for the victory over the Amalekites. The nobility of
Israel filled the halls of Saul's palace. The food and
wine were endless, and the music echoed throughout the cities
of Israel. Saul drank and laughed to his heart's content,
keeping Agag tied closely to his throne like a dog.
Exotic dancers laced the perimeter of his throne, room swag
(15:04):
to the music. Beside the lamp stance, Saul lounged back
with a cup in his hand, raising it to his
own glory. Miles from Saul's palace, Samuel sat underneath the stars.
The biting breeze signaled that winter was fast approaching. Samuel
wrapped himself tightly with his robe and shivered. He sensed
(15:26):
an uneasiness in the air. The peace of the land
had been disrupted, and Samuel could sense the furious heart
of God. The prophet closed his eyes and listened. The
wind howled across the valley. Amidst the wind and rustling bushes,
a voice spoke.
Speaker 5 (15:44):
I greatly regret Saul's anointing as king. He has turned
his back on me and pursued his own glory instead
of mine.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Samuel was grieved by God's words. He felt the very
same pain that the Lord expressed. Samuel had once seen
glimmers of light break forth from Saul's heart. He had
moments of greatness and humility. However, his pride had taken
hold of him like weeds to a garden. Samuel fell
to his knees and wept. The wind drowned out the
(16:18):
sound of his grief. He had warned the people about
anointing a king, However he did not rejoice in being right.
He lamented because of it. His tears turned to frost
as they fell on the grass. He knew what he
had to do. He had to go and reject the
king of Israel. Early the next morning, before the sun rose,
(16:44):
Samuel departed for Gilgal, the old Prophet, passed through Carmel.
It was dark and the stillness of morning was refreshing
to his soul. As Samuel walked through, he saw a
monument hewn from clay. It was large and glorious. Samuel
looked at it closely, seeing the engravings at the bottom
of the monument to the glory of King Saul.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
It read.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Samuel's peaceful demeanor quickly turned to rage. Saul had erected
a monument to himself. He truly was a golden calf.
Samuel opened the doors of Saul's palace. The throne room
reeked of spilt wine and debauchery. Many of his guests
were asleep, knocked out from the revelry of the evening.
(17:31):
Saul was asleep on his throne with two women at
his feet and on his lap. Beside him was King Agag,
still tied to rope, with his face beaten and bruised.
The clamoring of pillied sheep and oxen echoed from the outside.
Samuel stopped in the middle of the room. He looked
at the king, then back of the pit of coals
(17:51):
resting on an iron stand. Although the flames were gone,
the coal still radiated heat. The sound of snoring from
the nobles guards back Samuel. He hated that they were
sleeping atop the spoils of war that God so clearly
told them not to take. Samuel took his staff and
slammed it against the iron firepit. He flipped it over,
(18:13):
spilling coals all over the floor. The loud noise awoke
everyone in the room, causing a small panic. Saul awoke
and saw Samuel standing before him. He threw the women
off him and gestured for everyone in attendance to leave.
Saul composed himself, adjusted the crown on his head, and smiled.
The king walked up to Samuel, beaming with pride. He
(18:36):
opened his arms wide and said, glass, it'd be the
name of the Lord Samuel. I have done what was
asked of me. Samuel peered at Saul, trying to discern
whether he was lying or truly believed he had obeyed God.
Speaker 6 (18:49):
Why then do I hear the bleeding of sheep in
my ears and the lowing of oxen outside?
Speaker 3 (18:55):
Saul scratched the back of his head and gave a
nervous grin.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
The people brought them in from the Malakites. They spared
the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to
the Lord your God. The rest we have surely devoted
to destruction. They have been burned ash with the rest
of the land, just as God commanded. In fact, I
was just going to prepare everything for you to sacrifice
(19:21):
to God. A even silence, the king stepped backwards over
some spilled calls. The prophet lifted his staff and marched
forward towards Saul.
Speaker 6 (19:30):
I am weary of your lies, Saul, enough of your
back pedaling and false holiness. I will tell you what
the Lord has said to me last night.
Speaker 3 (19:38):
Saul gulped and feigned confidence speak. He said, with a
polite gesture.
Speaker 6 (19:43):
Are you so little in your own eyes that you
need to strive for more glory? Samuel asked, the Lord
anointed you king of Israel. Was that not enough? You
had to march forward and prove your worth, Yet you failed.
The Lord sent you on a mission. He told you
to go and destroyed the sinners who oppressed your people.
Why did you not obey his voice? Why did you
(20:05):
pounce on the spoils of war when God clearly told
you not to.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
Saul's demeanor went from innocence to anger. He puffed out
his chest and furrowed his brow. He raised his voice
and bellowed, I have obeyed. The declaration echoed across the
empty halls. Samuel did not waver at the voice of
the king. Although Saul was large and intimidating in stature,
(20:30):
he saw him for the small boy he was. Saul continued, saying.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
I marched forward and conquered the people, just as God commanded.
I brought a gag the king of Amelek to show
our victory. I devoted the entire city to destruction. I
have done nothing wrong. It was the people who took
the spoil of war. They took the sheep, oxen gold.
Yet I have commanded this day for all of it
(20:56):
to be given to God in sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Chest puffed up and down in anger, Samuel stood upright
and grasped his staff firmly. He lifted his head to
the king. His eyes were piercing. They peered directly into
Saul's heart. A chill rushed up saul spine. He knew
that his false sense of dismay did not fool Samuel.
The prophet spoke quietly, yet his words were like nails
(21:23):
being driven straight into Saul's chest.
Speaker 6 (21:26):
Does not the Lord delight in obedience as he does
burnt offerings and sacrifices. Behold, it is better in God's
sight to obey him and to listen, than to sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
At the altar, Samuel pressed his staff against the spilled coal.
It crunched underneath, causing sparks to pop up.
Speaker 6 (21:45):
Rebellion is like witchcraft to him, Samuel said, And stubbornness
is as sinful to him as idle worship.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
The prophet walked past Saul the approached the throne. He
lifted the furs and the fine purple fabric off in disgust.
He tossed it aside and looked at Saul.
Speaker 6 (22:02):
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord. He
has rejected you as king.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Saul's eyes widened, and he quickly changed his demeanor to desperation.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
I have sin, Samuel, I have transgressed against the commands
of God. I feared the people. I obeyed their voice.
I should have listened to God instead of them. But
I swear it was not my idea. Please pardon my
sins and restore me to God.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
A chuckle could be heard from the corner of the room.
King Agag was still tied up to the side. He
scoffed and shook his head at Saul. He was there
when Saul gave the command. He knew the truth. Samuel
did as well.
Speaker 6 (22:48):
I will not go anywhere with you, Saul. You have
rejected the word of God, and the Lord has rejected
you as king.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Samuel turned to leave. Saul felt his knees tremble and
his throat show cop with tears. He frantically chased Samuel, saying.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
No, please pray with me, Samuel.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
Saul shouted. The prophet continued to leave.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Listen to me, Samuel, you must forgive me.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Saul protested. However, Samuel did not look at the king.
He continued to walk. Out of complete desperation. Saul seized
the back of Samuel's robe and pulled him. The robe tore,
exposing part of his back to the cold air. Saul
stood there with the peace of the robe in his hand.
(23:35):
Samuel turned to the king with sorrow in his eyes.
Speaker 6 (23:38):
Just as you have torn my robe, so the Lord
has torn the Kingdom of Israel from you. This kingdom
will go to another. God has already chosen him. He
is a man that seeks after the heart of God
more than the heart of people.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Tears fell from Saul's eyes. He fell to the ground
and wept at Samuel's feet.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Please, Samuel, I have sinned. At least let me pray
with you in front of the elders.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Samuel allowed the elders to come in, and they all
watched a Saul prayed. A snicker could be heard from
across the room. Agag was leaning against the cedar pillar,
reveling in saul shame. Bring him to me, Samuel said.
Agag came before the prophet, smiling. He was pleased to
see the prophet beckon him. Surely, if he was spared
(24:30):
by the warrior king, he would be spared by the
old priest. Agag held his head high and said.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Surely we are past the bitterness of death. Let's be
done with this silly thing.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Samuel off the end of his staff and jammed it
into an Agag's stomach. The king kneeled over in pain, groaning.
Samuel swung his staff again at Agag's head, causing him
to fall completely to the ground. Samuel took SAAL's sword
right out of his sheath and pointed at to towards
a Gag. He peered down at him and said.
Speaker 6 (25:03):
Just as your sword has made many women childless, your
mother will be childless this day.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Without warning or pretense, Samuel swung the sword downwards Agag's head.
The first blow did not kill a Gag. The king
screamed in pain. His panicked cries filled the air as
his blood spilled over the floor. Saul and the elders
watched in horrific shock as Samuel capped his sword downward
at Agag. With each blow, Agag's strings grew quieter and quieter,
(25:33):
until he was dead and cut into pieces. Samuel was
out of breath, his face and robes were completely drenched
in blood. Without a word, he gave Saul his sword back,
picked up his staff, and limped out of the palace.
He went back to Ramah and did not return. He
would not see Saul again until the day he died.
(25:57):
He grieved the fall of Saul. Both he and the
Lord were filled with regrets.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
What is the role of a king in God's eyes?
We see in scripture that the king's primary responsibility was
making sure God's will was done among the people. He
was supposed to deliver the people from their enemies and
lead them down a righteous path. The king was held
more accountable than others because of his high calling. We
will see later on in the series that God will
not allow his anointed kings to get away with much.
(26:29):
The crown of God comes with expectations, and we have
seen Saul continually fall short of those expectations. Episode four
begins with the story taken from Exodus. The Amlkites were
ruthless against the helpless people of Israel, and God promised
to avenge them when the time was right. Even though
generations had passed since the original crimes of Amelek, their
(26:52):
wickedness had abided throughout the years. They were renowned for
their cruelty, and God knew the land would be better
off if they were wiped out. So who does God
called to carry out his vengeance the King of Israel.
It has been a long time since Saul has received
any direct message from Samuel, let alone the Lord himself.
God is extending another chance to Saul. Let's pause for
(27:17):
a moment and consider the goodness of God. As unprecedented
and erratic as Saul has become, God is still offering
him a chance to do the right thing be in
carriage that the Lord always has a hand of mercy
extended to you, and there is always an opportunity to
obey him. This is Saul's chance to rekindle the flame
and set himself on the right track. God commands Saul
(27:40):
to go against the Amnkites as retribution for their past sins. Saul,
as the king of God's nation, is being asked to
represent him on the battlefield. This second chance comes at
a good time for Saul. He has been spiraling emotionally
for years. His soul yearned for some sort of purpose,
and now he finally gets the chance to seize the day.
(28:03):
Saul gathered his army and galloped to Amelek with passion.
To Sauls surprise, he experienced immediate victory. He had almost
forgotten what the favor of God felt like. For so long,
Saul felt like he was running uphill and against the wind.
Everything he did, big or small, seemed exhausting. Fighting with
God's favor felt like he was running with the wind
(28:26):
at his back, charging downhill. Unfortunately, immediately after his victory,
Saul took a dark turn. He fell into the trap
of pride once again and confused God's victory with his own.
This is a common trap we can all slip into.
Just like Saul took credit for Jonathan's victory in the
last episode, he was taking credit for God's victory. He
(28:49):
let it go to his head and immediately started slipping
back into his old tendencies. A Gag, the king of
the Amlykites, played a part in this. He mocked saul
those validity is king, thus poking at Saul's sensitive areas.
Saul gave in and did the exact opposite of what
God told him to do. God told him to wipe
(29:09):
everything out. He was told to take no prisoners and
take no spoils. Saul disobeyed both of those commands. He
took Agag and his riches back to Israel. He paraded
them around Israel like trophies, and once again chose the
praise of the people over obedience to God. If you
listen to the story again, you will see Saul talk
(29:30):
a lot about his glory. When he faces Agag, he says,
you will know my glory, Agag, you will see it
expand before your very eyes. When he ordered his men
to take Agag's treasure, he said, I want him to
watch my glory expand at his expense. Saul can't seem
to help himself. He wants his own glory over God's,
(29:51):
and that's why he takes Agag and his treasure back
to Israel. You may be thinking at this point, what
the heck is wrong with Saul. He just can't seem
to get out of his own way. Well, let's take
a minute to consider our own hearts. We willingly disobey
God all the time, but since Saul is a king,
the stakes are higher and the focus on him is greater.
(30:14):
We must be careful in judging these characters too harshly.
They are flawed human beings like you and I. A
big difference between Saul and us is the level of
scrutiny put on us. If you were the king or
queen of Israel, many of your flaws would be put
on display for all to see. As well, we have
stories like sauls to provide us with wisdom so we
(30:35):
don't repeat his mistakes. Saul's glory is short lived. Samuel
comes to face Saul and it is not a pleasant experience.
Samuel is livid. He demands an explanation from Saul, and
the king once again refuses to take responsibility for his actions.
He blames the people and feigns ignorance, and when that
doesn't work, he tries to justify his actions and claims
(30:58):
it was for the glory of God. Samuel isn't fooled,
and neither is God. Saul is so caught up in
the appearance of holiness that he neglected his heart. This
is an important theme that will be explored in the
next episode. God cares very little about the outward appearance
of holiness to everyone else. Saul seemed to be a
good and righteous king, but his heart was consumed with vanity.
(31:21):
Samuel once again mentions the promise of a new king.
He says, this kingdom will go to another. God has
already chosen him. He is a man that seeks after
the heart of God more than the heart of people.
Samuel has mentioned this mysterious king a few times now.
What is the consistent description of this king? He will
be a man after the heart of God. This is
(31:43):
truly where Saul has fallen short. He wants the heart
of the people so badly, but doesn't really seem to
care about the heart of God. Saul's outward faithfulness is
a sham. It may fool the people, but it doesn't
fool God. He has had enough of Saul's vapid and
empty religion. When Samuel knocks over the coals and stomps
on them, it is an image of a reset. Saul's
(32:06):
flame is being snuffed out. It is time for a
fresh start. A new king is going to rise up
and take the kingdom away from Saul. Samuel declares this
to the king, and he begs for forgiveness. It is
not a good look for Saul. He whinds and begs
like a child to no avail. God has made up
his mind. The final scene is a gruesome one. Samuel
(32:30):
beheads Agag, thus accomplishing the will of God. It was
sloppy and unceremonious, but it was done. Samuel cared more
about the will of God than any sort of flashy ceremony.
Agag was killed just like God wanted. Samuel departs and
leaves Saul in darkness. Nobody but Saul and Samuel know
that God has rejected him as king. Saul is able
(32:53):
to maintain the appearance of holiness all the while separated
from the heart of God. Is this something you can
relate to Do you have the appearance of holiness all
the while feeling distant from God? Do you feel trapped
by people's perception of you? Know that there are a
thousand second chances given to us in Christ. Seek him
and you will find him. Humble yourself and he will
(33:15):
lift you up. James tells us that God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble. Saul's life is an
example of this principle. The thing that keeps us most
distant from God is our pride. If we humbly run
back to him, grace is given Freely consider and pray
about these things. I'm confident God will meet you in
(33:35):
your wondering. In our next episode, we will finally get
to meet the promised King of Israel. Unlike Saul, he
doesn't look like a king, but we will come to
find out God isn't looking for a king at all,
He's looking for a shepherd. Join us next time as
we meet the one and Only David. Thanks again for listening.
(33:56):
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com. If you've enjoyed
these podcasts so far, please share it with your family
and friends, and help us spray at God's word
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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