Chapters 13 and 14 in our Bibles form a single story, beginning with, “Saul was thirty years old when he became king in Israel…” and ending with, “All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines…” This story is written as a summary of Saul’s reign in Israel and as a portrait of his poor character. The author of the book of Samuel is simultaneously laying down the events in Israel’s history and highlighting faults in Saul's leadership.

The narrowest context for this story is in the rise of King David, one of the most important characters in Hebrew scripture. Here, the failures of Saul are presented as the reason God decides to raise up David to be king in Israel. While David was “a man after God’s own heart,” his predecessor Saul was a man who desperately invoked religion to serve his personal ends. We see Saul do this twice in the current text. First, Saul hastily institutes a sacrifice to prevent his troops from abandoning him (13:8-10). Then, he puts the entire army under a religious oath so that they won’t abandon the chase to collect plunder (14:24). In both of these actions we see Saul’s frantic preoccupation with whether the Israelites will follow him. He doesn’t see his kingship as a means to God’s great plan for Israel but rather sees the religion of Yahweh as a means to maintain his authority. In this way Saul is the exact opposite of “a man after God’s own heart,” and a profound contrast to King David.

The story also evokes a sad theme which is spread throughout scripture. Namely, the theme of humanity's tendency to take action outside of God’s plan and provision. Stories along this theme always result in awkwardness and often produce suffering. In chapter 13 we see Saul take matters into his own hands by instituting the sacrifice at Gilgal without Samuel. Notice the awkwardness between Samuel and Saul afterwards. Note also the personal anguish felt by Saul once the kingship is torn from his destiny. The story of King Saul and the sacrifice at Gilgal is one of many cautionary tales in the Bible warning Christians not to act on their own wisdom. See a short list of texts below.

Humans make their own clothes - Genesis 3

Humans make their own tower - Genesis 11  

Abraham marries Hagar - Genesis 16 

Jacob steals a blessing - Genesis 27

Moses strikes the rock - Numbers 20 Peter cuts off someone’s ear - John 18

Jews take on a demon - Acts 19 

1) How do you see your life?

a) God is a part of my life.

b) My life is a part of God’s great plan.

2) Which of the previous responses would Saul have given?

3) In what ways might you be using religion or spirituality for your personal ends like Saul?

4) In what areas of your life do you trust your own judgment over God’s law or the leading of the Holy Spirit?

5) How can you begin to surrender control of these areas back to God?

If you truly surrender your life to God and pursue his heart, you will find the toxic stress of self-preservation and self-promotion melt away and you will begin to live in the Eden of his provision and plan for your life.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:3-4

God’s blessings on your day!