“…Since you have rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as the king of Israel.”
1 Samuel 15:26
Saul began well because God was with him. (10:7) But look at the steps Saul took that led him further and further away from that relationship: Saul…
13:9 – Did not wait but offered the sacrifice himself.
14:24, 44 - Made a foolish oath and would have killed his own son to save face.
15:9 – Instead of destroying the enemy, saved their plunder for himself.
15:12-21 – Built a monument to himself, lied, blamed others, and made excuses.
16:14 – Was tormented by depression and fear.
Ch 18-19 – Lived only to murder David.
Ch 19-23 – Was concerned only about himself.
20:33 – Tried to kill his own son.
22:11-19 – Lost regard for anything holy and killed 85 priests and their families!
22:7-9, 13 – Imagined lies.
28:5 – At death, was frantic with fear
Today’s verse describes the beginning of this slippery spiral--Saul rejected what GOD wanted and replaced it with what HE wanted. The highest cost of that selfishness was not losing the kingdom but losing the relationship--God turned away from Saul. (18:12)
If I decide I do not need God anymore, that I can do life on my own, He will not intrude. God knows when He is unwanted. However, I should beware of this: If God leaves me on my own, I too could enter a downward spiral—and end up like Saul!
