Lessons And Warnings For Christians

In part 3, we have an important warning from the Lord to His true disciples. In Parts 1 and 2 we saw the blessing of God on a young man who started out humble and transparent. But then came success—and pride—and the fall! Note well the important lessons in bold type that every follower of Jesus must not forget.

1. He became arrogant (I Samuel 13:9). Refusing to wait for Samuel to come, Saul panicked and decided that he would offer the burnt offering to the Lord—an act he was forbidden to do. (Stay humble.)

2. He lost any hunger to cry after God (I Samuel 14:2). The Israelites were facing a tough battle with the Philistines, and Saul’s son, Jonathan, was about to do a daring exploit. Yet here is Saul with 600 of his men “under a pomegranate tree”—but with no hint of his praying and seeking the Lord. It appears as if he now believes he can solve most of his problems with mere human wisdom. (Stay in God’s Word daily.)

3. Saul substituted legalism for obedience (I Samuel 14:24). Saul orders his men not to eat, though they desperately need energy to fight a war. His bitter, jealous heart now chooses legalistic sacrifices rather than obedience to the Lord. (Remember John 14:21—loving Jesus means obeying Him.)

4. He became more important than God (I Samuel 14:24). Note that Saul is now speaking of having victory over “my enemies”—meaning his own enemies rather than the enemies of God. He had substituted the importance of the Lord for his own self-importance. (Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you daily.)

5. Saul trusted in his own leadership (I Samuel 14:36). Saul’s false spirituality almost resulted in the death of Jonathan. Now presumptuous King Saul says, “Let us go down after the Philistines…” with no hint of asking whether or not the Lord would sanction the action. Finally, the priest stops him with, “Let us draw near…unto God.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6—trust in the Lord—don’t ever trust yourself.)

6. He chose to control people rather than to serve them as an example (I Samuel 14:39). Jonathan should have been treated like a hero, but instead Saul is ready to put him to death. He has assumed the status of “final authority” and is now acting as a dictator to his own people. (Jesus came as God’s Servant. That is what He wants each of us to be—a servant of all.)

PART 4 NEXT LESSON

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras