Failure to Lead - Saul

Welcome back to the podcast men! In the second episode of the Failure to Lead podcast series, the focus turns to one of Scripture’s most infamous leaders—King Saul. At first glance, Saul may seem like an obvious choice when discussing leadership failure...but Saul’s story is more complex than simple disobedience.

--

The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men.

Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [e-mail].

Donate Now

--

Leadership Lessons from King Saul: How Emotion, Disobedience, and Insecurity Lead to Failure

In the second episode of the Failure to Lead podcast series, the focus turns to one of Scripture’s most infamous leaders—King Saul. After all, his reign ended with God stripping the kingdom away from him and giving it to David. However, his leadership journey offers key insights into how even those who start well can stumble if their hearts are not continually aligned with God.

A Good Start with a Changed Heart

Contrary to popular belief, Saul did not begin his reign as a failure. Scripture tells us in 1 Samuel 10:9, “As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart.” God chose Saul, and early on, Saul demonstrated humility, restraint, and a willingness to follow divine instruction.

When some people questioned Saul’s kingship, Saul chose silence over pride. 1 Samuel 10:27 notes, “They didn’t bring him any gifts. But Saul kept quiet about it.” And after his first major victory over the Ammonites, Saul refused to seek vengeance on those who had doubted him (1 Samuel 11:12–13). These were the marks of a humble and Spirit-touched leader.

But leadership is not defined by a single moment—it’s tested over time.

Emotional Decision-Making: A Trap for Every Leader

One of Saul’s downfalls was his tendency to make rash decisions based on emotion. Good leaders understand the weight of their emotions and choose wisdom over impulse.

In 1 Samuel 14:24–30, Saul made an emotionally charged vow that no one in his army could eat until he had avenged his enemies. This decision, though driven by zeal, weakened his troops and nearly cost his son Jonathan’s life. Jonathan, unaware of the oath, ate honey to regain strength. He later criticized his father's decision, saying, “My father has made trouble for the country.”

Emotion-driven leadership, while often passionate, can blind decision-makers to long-term consequences. Leaders must pause, pray, and process before acting—especially in high-pressure situations.

Model Obedience: Leaders Are Always Under Authority

Another key failure in Saul’s leadership was his disobedience. A leader under God’s authority must model obedience—not only for personal integrity but also for the health of those under their leadership.

In 1 Samuel 13, Saul took matters into his own hands by offering a sacrifice reserved for the prophet Samuel. This impatience cost him dearly. Samuel rebuked him: “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you… the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:13–14).

Later, in 1