Who Was Saul?

First impressions can be deceiving, especially when the image created by a person's appearance is contradicted by their qualities and abilities. Saul presented himself as a visual image of a king, but the tendencies of his character often went contrary to God's commands for a king. Even though Saul was God's chosen leader, it didn't mean that Saul was capable of being king on his own.

Saul had his greatest success when he obeyed God. His greatest failures resulted for acting on his own. Saul had the raw qualities of appearance, courage and action to be a good leader. And even his weaknesses could have been used by God if Saul had recognized them and left them in God's hands. His own choices cut him off from God and eventually alienated him from his own people.

From Saul we learn that our strengths and abilities make us useful, it is our weaknesses that make us usable. Our skills and talents make us tools, but our failures and shortcomings remind us that we need a Craftsman in control of our lives. Whatever we accomplish on our own is only a hint of what God could do through our lives.

Saul's mistakes in judgment, his own inner selfishness and jealousy not only cost him his kingdom, but it cost him his life.

Do you allow God to control your life? Do you know God? Do you know Jesus?

Are you certain that you are going to heaven? If the answer is no or your not really sure and there is something stirring inside you at this very moment to do this, then all you have to do is say a small prayer and you can be assured of your name being added to the Book of Life. Go to the prayer of salvation and pray the words out loud and believe in your heart and you will be saved.

Saul's story is told in 1 Samuel 9 - 31. He is also mentioned in Acts 13:21.

Content provided in whole or part by IBS-STL Global Life Application Study Bible, NIV.