Saturday, February 20, 2010
Turning Point
(I Samuel 13:13-23)
Samuel’s pronouncement against Saul’s assumed dynasty marks a serious turning point in the life of the King. His willful disobedience would cost him his throne, as no descendent of Saul’s would ever reign as king. God, Samuel informed Saul, would seek another king—a man after His own heart. And Saul’s family would quickly sink into a quagmire of oblivion (14).
Such a grim prophecy must have cut Saul deeply. In fact, it marks a turning point in Saul’s attitude as king and aptitude as leader. The fair-haired idealist, so easily admired, morphs now into a moody, unpredictable tyrant—the polar opposite of his sunny youth.
What happened? Simply put, Saul needlessly exhausted his resources. He traded faith in God for expedient pragmatism. He exchanged friendship with Samuel for strained estrangement. He bartered the admiration of his army for indulgence of his impatience. And, with each ensuing exchange, Saul further impoverished himself.
Saul needed God back in his life. But Samuel’s pronouncement may have been too much to bear. Perhaps Saul reasoned, “If the Lord won’t help me, I’ll just do it myself.” Whatever his thinking, Samuel’s words—rather than bringing repentance—hardened the King.
In a curious historic note, the Bible tells us that not only had Israel’s armies greatly diminished, but their ability to procure weaponry was hampered by the Philistines’ monopoly of the ironworks. Saul needed the Lord now more than ever! Sadly, Saul would continue to stumble down his lonely path to his ultimate destruction.
