Lesson 2: Saul Begins To Go Bad

Pastor’s Bible Class

Thomas Road Baptist Church

Series: Why Good People Go Bad

Dr. Elmer Towns

Lesson 2: Saul Begins To Go Bad

September 21, 2008

A. INTRODUCTION (I SAMUEL 10:1- 11:15)

At the beginning of his life, he seeks a prophet.

At the end of his life, he seeks a witch.

1. Saul was chosen to be king.

a. Samuel anointed Saul. “The Lord has anointed you to be the leader of his people” (10:1, LB).

b. The people accepted Saul. “God save the king” (10:24).

c. Some rejected. “How can this man save us? And they despised him” (10:27, LB).

2. The strength of Saul.

a. He hated sin. “His (Saul’s) anger was kindled greatly” (11:6).

b. He rallied people to fight with him (11:7).

c. He defeated the Ammonites. “He . . . slaughtered them . . . no two of them were left together” (11:11, LB).

d. The people reaffirmed Saul. “In a solemn ceremony before the Lord they crowned him king” (11:14, LB).

3. Signs of inner compromise in Saul.

a. He lied about his father. “Kish . . . a mighty man of valor” (9:1). “My father the weakest of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin” (9:21).

b. Even though chosen by God, Saul went back to his old job. “Saul was plowing in the field” (11:5, LB).

c. Motivated by negative emotions. “The people were afraid of Saul’s anger” (11:7, LB).

d. Didn’t deal with rebellion in the kingdom. “Those men who said Saul shouldn’t rule over us” (11:12, LB).

Saul’s Three Anointings

1. Samuel anoints Saul privately (10:1), announce

2. Saul chose by lots, people rejoice (10:24), nominated

3. Saul crowned after first victory (11:15), elected

e. Saul took honor to himself that belonged to another. “Jonathan smote the . . . Philistines (13:3). “Saul blew the trumpet . . . saying . . . Saul has smitten the . . . Philistines (13:4).

4. Signs of outward compromise of Saul.

a. Silence. Saul ignored spiritual principles and God Himself. No mention of God in the text until Saul rationalized his sin.

b. No vision. Saul didn’t properly use his great army. “Three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand” (11:8). He had a body guard, “Saul chose for himself three thousand men” (13:1).

The First Law of Leadership: Vision

When followers buy into your vision,

they buy into your leadership.

c. Army reflected Saul’s fear. The army of Saul ran and hid out of fear. “The Philistines gathered . . . thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen” (13:5). “The men of Israel . . . hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes and in pits” (13:6).

d. Saul couldn’t inspire or lead. “The people followed him trembling” (13:7).

e. An impatient king did the work of a priest. Invaded the priesthood. “Bring a burnt offering to me” (13:9).

f. Saul couldn’t wait for God’s blessing. “According to the time set by Samuel” (13:8). It takes courage to have patience.

g. Saul blamed another for his sin. “That thou comest not” (13:11).

h. Excused himself by justification. “When I saw that the people were scattered from me” (13:11).

i. Eyes are on the problem, not the solution. “Because I saw . . . the Philistines gathered themselves together” (13:11).

j. Magnified the problem. “The Philistines will come down now upon me” (13:12).

k. Made spiritual excuses. “I have not made supplication unto the Lord” (13:12).

l. Rationalized his sin. What else could I do, “I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt-offering” (13:12).

B. THE RESPONSE

1. To ignore God’s word is to break God’s law. “Thou hast not kept the commandments of the Lord, thy God” (13:13).

2. Saul put selfish fears and desires before God. “Now it happened, as soon as he (Saul) had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came” (13:10).

3. Saul waited seven days. “He tarried seven days” (13:8) as directed by Samuel, so probably offered at the morning sacrifice time. What is seven days to a few hours?

4. The kingdom was taken from Saul. “Thy kingdom shall not continue” (13:14).

a. Saul thought in future. We postpone consequences.

b. Saul thought dynasty.

c. God thought now!

5. God chooses another to take Saul’s place. “A man after his own heart” (13:14).

6. How backsliding develops.

a. Thoughts

b. Memory

c. Attitude

d. Actions

e. Pattern of life

f. Habit

g. Addiction-slavery

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.