“Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy?17 The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. 18 Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. 19 The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.” 1 Samuel 28.16-20
King Saul, near the end of his days, showed his true character, and it was not good. When all else failed and Samuel had died, Saul had nowhere to turn. He had no one who could access the Lord for him. The Lord did not answer him by “dreams or Urim or prophets.” He was completely cut off from the Lord. So he committed an unspeakable act and consulted the witch of Endor, who brought up the spirit of Samuel.
When Samuel spoke to him, the prophet confirmed that Saul had been cut off from the Lord and had become an enemy of the Lord. As a result, Saul’s kingdom would be torn out of his hands and “given to one of your neighbors.” All this because Saul failed to obey the Lord, especially by not carrying out the Lord’s wrath against the Amalekites.
The prophetic word from Samuel then came to Saul, that he and his sons would die the next day in battle at the hands of the Philistines, and Israel would fall also. Upon hearing these words, Saul “fell full length on the ground” and was “filled with fear because of Samuel’s words.”
It’s sad when a great leader falls. Saul had great potential, yet from day one, he defied the Lord and was disobedient in many ways. He was chosen out of Israel’s desire for a king, so in truth, he never really had a chance.
Saul, however, could have chosen obedience. He could have chosen to follow the Lord, humble himself, and submit to God’s ways. He could have resisted temptation, run from evil and sin, and worshipped the Lord as his ancestors did. He could have been a faithful follower but, in the end, is an example of a person going his own way and refusing to bow the knee to God.
It is a lesson for us, isn’t it? A lesson for us to choose God, to turn from our wicked ways, to resist temptation, and to seek Christ. We have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to live within our bodies. We have been given the means of grace to experience the Lord and one another for accountability. We have been given His Word as a daily encouragement to walk in faithfulness and love.
Our end goal is not success, even in ministry. Success to God is obedience. If we are successful yet disobedient in secret, then what have we accomplished? God’s desire to walk with His people began with Adam and Eve and continues with us today. We can pray for the strength to be faithful followers and walk according to the way that leads to life eternal.
Turn to God, repent of sin, live by and with the Holy Spirit. Be the person God has created us to be, and one day we will win the prize of everlasting life and hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
“O Lord God, you are faithful. I cannot live without your grace. I need your strength to walk in obedience, to be holy as you are holy, and to have a life that reflects your love. Come now, King Jesus, make your way in me. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen