So… Saul is literally hiding behind the suitcases. He’s been told exactly what’s about to go down. He’s going to be named king. And he hides from it. Straight up hides behind some boxes in the back. Like that’s gonna spare him the attention?
I don’t know, but it’s fascinating. What was he hiding from? The responsibility? The attention? The reaction? I mean, he did point out that because of his position there were going to be a lot of people who didn’t like the idea. Maybe he was worried they’d challenge him right there on the spot.
Then, after his major victory, when everyone is ready to execute his loudest detractors, he’s says “Chill.” Saul, “I’m gonna throw my spear at this kid’s head” Saul takes a pass on getting revenge on the guys that didn’t believe in him.
I don’t know, man. I like this guy. In these chapters, I like him. Not so much later, but right now? He’s a good son, responsible, thinks about his dad’s emotional state. He’s good to his servant; he follows instructions. He had a real chance. He blows it, but he starts out here with a good chance.
Is it the power that corrupts him? It does kinda get to David eventually, too. He just manages to rein it back in. Was it part of the judgment? Giving Israel a king that would be brilliant at first and then… just… not? God said they would regret it, and they did. Inevitable humanity? Intentional selection? Both? Or was he just a coward that never found real faith?
I don’t know. I don’t think it matters. It’s ultimately the same thing. They had good king on a good path until he started serving himself more than God. That’s the downfall. One has to stay focused. One has to keep the priorities straight, and God has to be on the top. Always.
It’s so easy to categorize men from the Bible as heroes or villains, and for some of them we really only have enough information to see them as one or the other, but they’re human. They have moments of faith and moments of weakness.
What will you be remembered for?