Sermon The Life Of King Saul

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[2] The title of the sermon: “THE LIFE OF KING SAUL.”

What Can We Learn From The Life Of King Saul?

• We’re going to look closely at the life of king Saul today and see what we can learn.
• Most of the so-called Bible experts twist the story of Saul and don’t believe the words of the Bible.
• They twist the Scriptures because the Scriptures don’t match their plan of salvation.
• The life of King Saul completely destroys the false doctrine of churches all around here.
• So, let’s get started with our study of king Saul. We look to 1 Samuel Chapter 9.

[3] 1 Samuel 9:1-2 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

• Saul was a choice young man. A goodly young man. He was taller than ANY of the people.
• We see that the son of Kish is Saul. Kish was a mighty man of power.
• We see that Kish and Saul are from the tribe of Benjamin.
• Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob or Israel. Let’s look a little more at Saul’s dad.
• We look to 1 Chronicles Chapter 8 and 9 which gives us the genealogy of Benjamin.

[4] 1 Chronicles 8:29-32 And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife’s name was Maachah: 30 And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab, 31 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher. 32 And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.

[5] 1 Chronicles 8:33-34 And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal. 34 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah.

• King Saul’s family came from the father of Gibeon. What was the father of Gibeon’s name?
• This is given in 1 Chronicles Chapter 9.

[6] 1 Chronicles 9:35-37 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife’s name was Maachah: 36 And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab, 37 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.

[7] 1 Chronicles 9:38-40 And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren. 39 And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal. 40 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal: and Merib-baal begat Micah.

• So, we know that Saul’s father is Kish and Saul has several sons including Jonathan.
• Another Benjamite like Saul was the judge Ehud who slew the very fat king of Moab named Eglon.
• The Book of Judges occurs before we see the story of king Saul begin in 1 Samuel Chapter 9.
• Do you remember what happens with the tribe of Benjamin in the book of Judges? Let’s go back to that.

[8] Judges 20:1-2 Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh. 2 And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.

[9] Judges 20:3-4 (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness? 4 And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.

[10] Judges 20:5-6 And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead. 6 And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.

[11] Judges 20:7-9 Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel. 8 And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house. 9 But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;

[12] Judges 20:10-11 And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel. 11 So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.

• This is the tribe that king Saul came from, the tribe of Benjamin. This is happening prior to Saul’s life.

[13] Judges 20:12-13 And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you? 13 Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:

[14] Judges 20:14-15 But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel. 15 And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.

• The tribe of Benjamin decides they will protect the wicked children of Belial versus giving them up.
• The children of Benjamin were mighty just as 1 Samuel Chapter 9 mentioned of Saul’s father.
• The children of Benjamin won a couple of battles against the rest of the tribes.
• What ended up happening here to the tribe of Benjamin, though?

[15] Judges 20:35 And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.

• The tribe of Benjamin greatly decreased in number due to them choosing wicked people over following God’s law.

[16] Judges 20:48 And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.

• That’s the last verse in Judges Chapter 20. Remember, there are 21 chapters in the Book of Judges.
• Then the Bible goes to the book of Ruth and then to the book of 1 Samuel where we see Saul first.

What Happened To The Tribe Of Benjamin?

[17] Judges 21:1-3 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife. 2 And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore; 3 And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?

• Because of the decision the children of Benjamin made, they lost many, many men that day.
• But their tribe continued in much smaller numbers. King Saul came from this tribe of Benjamin.
• Leading up to 1 Samuel Chapter 9 where we first meet Saul, we see that the people want a king.
• The prophet Samuel warns them in 1 Samuel Chapter 8 that a king to rule over them is not good.
• God is the ruler over them. But watch what they say.

[18] 1 Samuel 8:10-11 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

[19] 1 Samuel 8:12-13 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

[20] 1 Samuel 8:14-16 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

[21] 1 Samuel 8:17-19 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. 18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

[22] 1 Samuel 8:20-22 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. 21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. 22 And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

• Now, let’s go back to 1 Samuel Chapter 9. We see that God is giving the people what they want with Saul.
• They want a king so God gives them a king. He is a very tall and goodly person that the people will want.
• Physically, he looks like a king and these people are fleshly so God gives them a fleshly king.
• In 1 Samuel Chapter 9, we see that the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost.
• Saul and one of his servants go to search for the lost asses. They couldn’t find them.
• Saul’s servant gives Saul a suggestion to ask Samuel the prophet to send them the correct way.
• Saul decides to go and see Samuel.

[23] 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, 16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. 17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

• Samuel sees Saul outside before Saul speaks with Samuel. The Lord tells Samuel this is the man.
• This man will be the first king of the children of Israel.

[24] 1 Samuel 9:18-19 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is. 19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.

[25] 1 Samuel 9:20-21 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house? 21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

• The Benjamites are the smallest tribe of Israel as Saul says here.
• We know what happened in the Book of Judges. Saul doesn’t expect Samuel to say these things.
• “And on whom is ALL the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house?”
• They were mighty men the Bible says. We see Samuel preach the word of God to Saul.

[26] 1 Samuel 9:27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.

• Stand still, Saul, that I may show you the word of God. Do you think Samuel did a good job?
• I guarantee you that Samuel did a good job showing the word of God to Saul.

[27] 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

• As we continue in the actual words of the Bible, we see that Saul is saved.

[28] 1 Samuel 10:5-6 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: 6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

• Saul is going to become a new creation and a new man. What would this mean?
• This means he is going to become a saved man. He’s going to be born again and saved.
• He’s going to have everlasting life because he’s going to believe the preaching that he hears.
• If that’s not what this means, then please tell me what it means.
• Because of the rest of the story of Saul matches what I’ve just said perfectly.

King Saul Was A Saved Man BEFORE He Became King Of Israel

[29] 1 Samuel 10:7-8 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. 8 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.

[30] 1 Samuel 10:9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.

• Saul was saved right there because he believed. God gave him another heart.
• He prophesied or preached the word of God.

[31] 1 Samuel 10:10-11 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11 And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?

[32] 1 Samuel 10:12-13 And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? 13 And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.

• Saul hears the preaching of the word of God, Saul believes it, and Saul is saved by God.
• God gives him a new heart. Once you are saved, can you lose salvation? No, you can’t.
• The Spirit of God comes upon Saul with power but the Spirit of God can leave people any time.
• This is not the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that comes upon Saul because it is not yet given.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is first given in John Chapter 20 when Jesus arises from the dead.

• He breathes on the disciples, all but Thomas, and says: “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”
• When the Spirit of God comes upon Saul, this is Holy Ghost COMING UPON Him. And then He can leave.
• If the Spirit of God coming upon someone then leaves, this doesn’t mean they lost salvation.
• Keep that in mind as we study the life of king Saul.
• We then see Samuel present Saul as their king. Did the people accept Saul as their new king?

[33] 1 Samuel 10:24-26 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king. 25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. 26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.

• The people loved king Saul. What if they presented someone like David to them versus Saul?
• Most likely they wouldn’t have been so happy. Saul was a large man standing above the people.
• After this presentation of the king, Saul went home to Gibeah which is close to Jerusalem.
• And a band of men is now with him as the new king of Israel.

The first thing that happens in the Bible after Saul is presented as king is shown to us in 1 Samuel Chapter 11.

• The Ammonites are going to fight against Jabesh-gilead which belongs to Israel.
• Nahash the Ammonite threatens to take out all the right eyes of these people who are under king Saul.
• The message is brought to Gibeah of Saul and the people hear the message and start crying.
• Saul hadn’t heard the message yet, but he comes back from the herd in the field.

[34] 1 Samuel 11:5 And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.

• How do you think the new king Saul is going to react here? Will he weep too and be afraid? Let’s see.

[35] 1 Samuel 11:6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

• The Spirit of God comes upon Saul. Did Saul get really soft and emotional?
• Did Saul attempt diplomacy with these Ammonites as “God loves all people?”
• No, Saul’s ANGER was kindled GREATLY. Was this a sin? This was the Spirit of God that came upon him.
• This means the Spirit of God hadn’t stayed with him all this time. He left previously, and now He’s back.
• And now Saul has GREAT ANGER because of God’s Spirit. God is angry.

[36] 1 Samuel 11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

• Why was God angry? He was angry because all of these people were afraid of the Ammonites.
• After everything that God has showed them over the years, and they are afraid.
• God commands us to FEAR NOTHING but Him. This is a great sin to fear these other people.
• This is why God was angry. This is why Saul was angry. And he showed his anger.
• What did he do? He slew a yoke of oxen and hewed them in pieces.

Then he sent those pieces to all the coasts of Israel. He is threatening the people of Israel.

• “You better come forth to fight these Ammonites or all your oxen will end up the same way.”
• And THEN the fear of the Lord fell upon the people. And THEN they came out to fight.
• God doesn’t need little chickens, cry babies, and whiners within His people.
• He wants people who have NO FEAR of anything besides Him and Him alone.

For example, lots of people today want to stockpile food, weapons, and money because they fear.

• I don’t stockpile any physical things. I will stockpile my faith in God.
• You can have your food, water, guns AND I will have faith in God. Let’s see what turns out better.
• I don’t fear these things that might happen to us. I am not afraid.
• I am not scared because God is in control. I am not going to cry over Covid, masks, and vaccines.

We Will Stockpile Faith In God While The World Stockpiles Fear

I’m not going to fight over medicine, food, guns, weapons, toilet paper, and wipes. You can have it.

• I’ll take God. Nobody wants Him. They want all these other things. Stop crying and whining.
• If you are saved, you will make God very angry just as we see here with these fearful people.
• God laughs at the Ammonites. God laughs at Covid. God laughs at all this fear people have.
• Do you not think God Almighty can easily defeat the Ammonites? PLEASE.

[37] 1 Samuel 11:11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

• That’s what someone who has the Spirit of God will do. NO FEAR.
• Saul went up and slew the Ammonites. Anyone who remained were scattered.
• The people were very happy with Saul now.

[38] 1 Samuel 11:15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

• Next, we see Samuel warn the people to follow God and obey His commandments.

[39] 1 Samuel 12:13-14 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. 14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:

[40] 1 Samuel 12:15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.

• God then sends thunder and rain through the words of Samuel as a sign that Samuel is God’s prophet.

[41] 1 Samuel 12:23-25 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

• Samuel continues to warn them to follow God. If they won’t, they and their king will be consumed.
• Next, we see that Saul has reigned over Israel for two years.
• We see the Philistines coming up against Saul and the children of Israel.
• We see that the children of Israel are afraid, hiding, and trembling because of the Philistines.
• We see Saul’s first great sin within the Bible.

[42] 1 Samuel 13:8-10 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. 10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

• Saul offers a burnt offering to the Lord, but it is not his job to do so. He is a Benjamite and not a priest.

[43] 1 Samuel 13:11-12 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.

[44] 1 Samuel 13:13-14 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

• Saul continued on as king for many years. He was king over Israel for 40 years.
• He won many battles against all the enemies of the children of Israel. You can read about those victories.
• Let’s keep going and see what else we can learn about the life of king Saul.

[45] 1 Samuel 14:49-50 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: 50 And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.

• We see that Saul has a wife named Ahinoam. He has sons and daughters listed there.
• We know his son Jonathan well and his daughter Michal well.
• We see that Abner is closely related to Saul. You should know Abner very well.
• The Philistines are at war with Saul all the days of Saul. What do we see next in the life of king Saul?
• We see the Lord command Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites.

[46] 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

• Every word of God is important. His commands are important. All the little details are important.
• Utterly destroy all that they have. Man, woman, infant, suckling, ox, sheep, camel, and ass.

[47] 1 Samuel 15:10-11 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

[48] 1 Samuel 15:12-13 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

• Saul tells Samuel that he performed the commandment of the Lord.
• Many preachers today think the same thing. “We are following the Lord.” But they aren’t.
• They aren’t listening to His commands. They are instead acting just like king Saul.

King Saul Didn’t Follow God’s Clear Commandments

[49] 1 Samuel 15:14-15 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

• Saul was a saved man, but he would change the words of the Lord just enough.
• He thought he had better ideas than God. “But I saved the best of the sheep and oxen for God.”
• “The rest we have utterly destroyed.” Is that what God said to do? He continued in his own ways.
• He continued to do what he thought was right versus simply doing what God said to do.
• Make sure you see this and understand this. THIS DOESN’T MAKE GOD HAPPY.
• For example, when God says that women can’t be pastors, that’s what he means.
• But the churches say, “But this way is better. The women can be pastors.” It’s the same thing.

And God says, “It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king. For he is turned back from following me.”

• These preachers and churches are the same. They will not follow God’s words.
• Some of them might be saved just like king Saul, but they won’t follow God’s words.
• They follow their own ways and believe that their ways are better than what God says.
• “But we can gather more offering for the Lord if we allow women to preach in church.”

[50] 1 Samuel 15:22-23 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

• We see Saul admit his sin and that he was wrong. He worships the Lord in this same chapter.
• Saul is going to lose the kingdom of Israel to another man.
• God sends Samuel to see Jesse. David is brought in last. David is anointed by Samuel.

[51] 1 Samuel 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

• The anointing of the Holy Spirit on Saul is now gone. The Spirit of the Lord leaves Saul.
• Again, this does not mean Saul isn’t saved. The Spirit of the Lord comes and goes from people.
• We see that Saul becomes fearful of the Philistines and especially Goliath. But not David.
• David slews Goliath and this causes Saul to become jealous of David.
• Saul’s son Jonathan becomes good friends with David.

[52] 1 Samuel 18:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

• Saul becomes very jealous of David and watched him closely. Saul attempts to kill David with a javelin.
• Remember, David is now God’s anointed and Saul is attempting to kill David.
• Saul began to fear David the Bible says. He didn’t want to see him anymore.
• Saul devises up schemes against David. Saul knew that the Lord was with David and not with him.
• Saul became David’s enemy continually the Bible says.
• Saul commands Jonathan and his servants to kill David. Saul has turned completely away from God.

He continues to try to kill David even though he knows the Lord is with David.

• This continues for many chapters in the book of 1 Samuel.
• David never does wrong to Saul because David knows that Saul was chosen by God.
• Saul is David’s enemy but David only does good to his enemy because Saul is saved by God.
• David isn’t going to kill Saul because he is a saved man just like himself. God will take care of Saul Himself.
• King Saul continues to do evil in the sight of the Lord.

[53] 1 Samuel 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

• King Saul has 85 priests killed because one of them helped David. But that’s not all.

[54] 1 Samuel 22:19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

• This is a city of priests in Israel. He is their king and he slews them.
• Both men and women, children and sucklings, oxen, asses, and sheep.
• He slews all of his own people. This is something Saul wouldn’t do to the enemies of his people.
• The Spirit of God has left him, God won’t answer him, and he continues to do evil.

He could have turned back to God and followed after him, but he gets worse and worse instead.

• Saul’s rivalry with David continues. David continues doing the work of the Lord.
• And Saul is worried about everything David is doing. He’s focused on David and not God.
• David has opportunities to kill Saul, but he doesn’t. Yet, Saul continues to try to kill David.
• At some points, we think Saul is coming back to the Lord but he never comes back fully to follow God.
• We see Samuel die in 1 Samuel Chapter 25. Now Samuel is no longer there for Saul.
• As we move to 1 Samuel Chapter 28, we come to a VERY IMPORTANT part of the life of king Saul.

[55] 1 Samuel 28:4-6 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. 5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. 6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

• When God stopped answering king Saul, we see Saul seek a woman that has a familiar spirit.
• Saul goes to this witch. This is a great sin against God in itself. He wants to call up Samuel from the dead.
• Usually, this would be a familiar spirit to Samuel.
• But let’s see what the ACTUAL WORDS of the Bible say.

[56] 1 Samuel 28:7-8 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor. 8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

• Saul asks this witch to bring up a familiar spirit to him. He’s going to ask her to bring up Samuel.

King Saul Wants To Call Up The Familiar Spirit Of Saul But Gets A Surprise

[57] 1 Samuel 28:9-10 And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? 10 And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

• Saul breaks his own rule that he setup because this was the commandment of God.
• So, early on, we see Saul doing what God asked him to do but now he breaks God’s commandments.
• He was a saved man who was following the Lord and now he goes against God in every way.
• We see Solomon following God and then he goes after other gods. He build them temples.
• Let’s continue and listen to the actual words of the Bible here and not the “Bible experts.”

[58] 1 Samuel 28:11-12 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

• What does the Bible say: “And when the woman saw SAMUEL.” Who did she see? SAMUEL.
• This wasn’t a familiar spirit of Samuel. This was actually Samuel. She cried with a loud voice.
• “Saul, you have deceived me.” The actual prophet Samuel is here. This is a miracle from God.
• Why? So you can see this, read this, and believe this. Believe the word of God.

[59] 1 Samuel 28:13-14 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. 14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

• Now Saul perceives that this is Samuel. She describes him. THIS IS SAMUEL.

[60] 1 Samuel 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

• What does the Bible say right there? “And SAMUEL said to Saul.” This is actually Samuel speaking.
• “Why did you bring me up from the dead? Why have you called me up?”
• This doesn’t mean that this was a familiar spirit because it says “BRING ME UP.”
• You can study bringing up in the Bible to see this. Or, you can trust that this is Samuel just as God says.
• “SAMUEL SAID TO SAUL.” Saul wants to know what he should do.

[61] 1 Samuel 28:16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

• God is now against Saul because he went against the commandment of the Lord constantly.
• If you are saved, and you continue to go against God, the story of Saul is a warning for you.
• God will be against you IF you continue to go against Him. There is no other way.
• You either follow Jesus Christ and go along with Him, or you are against Him.

[62] 1 Samuel 28:17-18 And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: 18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

• David will now be king. Why are all of these things happening to Saul?
• Because he didn’t obey the voice of the Lord. He didn’t have fierce wrath against Amalek.
• When you are saved, God will punish you greatly IN THIS LIFE compared to unsaved people.
• He chastens those whom He loves to bring them back to Him. But Saul continues to go against God.
• So, what’s going to happen? Listen to the words of SAMUEL THE PROPHET.

[63] 1 Samuel 28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

• The life of king Saul is about to end. Tomorrow, Saul and his sons will be with Samuel.
• Where did Samuel go after he died? He went to be with the Lord in heaven.
• When Lazarus died, he was brought up from the dead by Jesus Christ. Come forth. Come up.
• Samuel was brought up from the dead. This was Samuel and Samuel was in heaven.

Samuel says, “Saul, you and your sons will be with me tomorrow.” This included Jonathan.

• Everything Samuel said came true once again proving this is Samuel the prophet.
• Tomorrow Saul is going to die. Tomorrow Jonathan is going to die. Saul and Jonathan went to heaven.
• Saul’s other sons who died went to heaven proving they had faith in God.
• Saul wasn’t all bad his entire life. He fell away from God and God showed how much he cared about Saul.
• He punished him and brought him home to heaven with all of his sons. That’s not a horrible ending.
• He lost his life on earth but continued to live on in heaven with his sons and with Samuel.
• Samuel loved Saul. David loved Saul. God loved Saul. I love Saul. He’s in heaven right now.
• Even after some of the horrible things that Saul did, he went to heaven because he had everlasting life.

[64] 1 Samuel 28:20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

• “Because of the words of Samuel.”
• The Bible tells you over and over again that SAMUEL spoke these words.
• But you’ll have so-called Bible scholars who will attempt to say that this wasn’t Samuel.
• Well, God says that it is Samuel. You just don’t have faith in God’s words. Don’t act like Saul.
• This is Samuel who spoke here and all of what he spoke came true.

King Saul Is In Heaven With The Prophet Samuel

Saul is in heaven with Samuel right now. Jonathan is in heaven with Saul, Samuel, and Jesus right now.

• They are all in the same place in heaven. Yes, the very first physical king of Israel is in heaven.
• Why is that so hard to believe? He trusted in God, but then he sinned against him over and over again.
• He was God’s chosen king. God was patient with him. He continued to attempt to murder David.
• He even tried to kill his own son Jonathan at one point. He murdered priests of God. And he kept going.
• So God took him out of this life.
• David had Uriah murdered but David turned back to God and followed Him. David continued to live.
• Saul didn’t. God took his life. And God will do the same thing to you if you go against Him like this.

[65] 1 Samuel 31:1-3 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul’s sons. 3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.

[66] 1 Samuel 31:4-5 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

• Listen, this is a very sad ending to the life of king Saul. David wept over king Saul.
• Why would he do that if he was an evil man that went to hell? He simply went the wrong way.
• Please listen. Don’t go the wrong way. Don’t go against God. Go with God.
• Saul killed himself right there. And yes, king Saul went to heaven. He is my brother in Jesus Christ.
• I will see king Saul with my own eyes one day. He was the first physical king of Israel. He is in heaven.

[67] 2 Samuel 1:1-2 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; 2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

[68] 2 Samuel 1:3-4 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

[69] 2 Samuel 1:11-12 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: 12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

• They mourned and wept and fasted until even FOR SAUL, and FOR JONATHAN HIS SON.
• And for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel.
• Why would they do this for Saul if he was not a saved man? He was a saved man. He was of the Lord.
• But he messed up just like we mess up. But he kept going. DON’T KEEP GOING. Stop and follow Jesus.
• You don’t want your sons to end up dead with you. You don’t want your children to die with you.
• You don’t want your people to die with you all because you wouldn’t follow the Lord God Almighty.

[70] 2 Samuel 1:17-19 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) 19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

• Moving down to verse 22.

[71] 2 Samuel 1:22-23 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. 23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

[72] 2 Samuel 1:24-25 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. 25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

• Now, oh “great” Bible scholars, are you really going to tell me that Saul went to hell?
• David has God’s Spirit with him. God wrote this. Will you tell me that Saul went to hell?
• You’ll only say this because your way of salvation is false. The Bible doesn’t match your way.
• Saul trusted God and he was saved in a moment just like anyone else is saved when they fully trust God.
• Being saved doesn’t take continued obedience to God’s word, though, we should obey or end up like Saul.
• David continued to show kindness unto the house of Saul. Many of Saul’s house were saved people.

[73] 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; 14 And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

• God slew Saul because of his transgressions against the Lord. Will the Lord do that to you? Yes He will.
• If you’re a saved person today, and you want to ignore God’s commandments, BE READY.
• You will kindle a fire within the living God of all creation. He is watching. His wrath is kindling against you.
• BE VERY CAREFUL. BE AFRAID OF THE LORD. Don’t be like Saul and go against God after you’re saved.
• Very dumb move. Don’t go against the word of the Lord. Go to the Lord. Do what He says.
• Even if you’re still alive after going against Him; it’s time to stop now. Go with Him.

God Can Kill You As He Punished Saul When He Went Against Him

If you won’t, God can kill you with sickness, disease, enemies. He can vex you.

• He can give you a fever, inflammation, burning, mildew, blasting.
• He can kill you with the sword, guns, weapons, no food, no rain.
• He can send the botch, emerods, scabs, itching, madness, blindness, astonishment of heart, mental issues.
• He can curse you in everything that you do. He will make a sign of you just as he did with king Saul.
• If you don’t believe me, read Deuteronomy Chapter 28. You don’t want those things.

And yet, God blesses us through the life of king Saul.

• Without his example, we might make the same mistakes. But we listen and learn from God’s words.
• Other churches in this country are doing whatever they want and never learning God’s words.
• Don’t be like them. Let’s actually learn God’s words, do them, and be safe in the hands of God.
• I hope this study into the life of king Saul has helped you today.

Let’s pray.