Throughout history, the church has seen its shares of ups and downs, scandals, the emergence of leaders, and new moves of the Holy Spirit. However, some have fallen away from the faith in each generation and turn their back on God. Many started on fire for the Lord, but the cares of this life have overwhelmed them. Also, they failed the three tests that Jesus passed in the wilderness (Luke 4:3-13). The three tests are the pride of life, the lusts of the flesh, and the lusts of the eyes (1 John 2:16). Samuel mourned over him for the rest of his life. God had to speak and instruct him to stop mourning over him (1 Samuel 16:1). Saul had so much potential to be a godly leader, but he sinned and died shamefully as he committed suicide (1 Samuel 31:4). He was a disgrace to Israel and in the sight of God. Let’s look at how Saul started off right but then fell into some pitfalls, so we don’t make the same mistakes.
1). Obedience to Disobedience
1 Samuel 9:3 says, “And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.”
Saul was very obedient to his earthly father. When the donkeys went missing, he gladly went on a mission to search for them, making his father proud. However, when it came to God, Saul disobeyed. Perhaps, the title of being the first king went to his head. He wanted everyone to like him and stay popular among the people so he listened to them instead of God. As leaders, we have to obey God not man (Acts 5:29).
1 Samuel 9:19 says, “Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?”
2) Honor to Dishonor
1 Samuel 9:7 says, “Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?”
Saul knew that before he approached a prophet, that he couldn’t go empty-handed. He wanted to show honor so he asked his servant for the best gift to give to Samuel. His gift caused him to be favored by Samuel. Over time, Saul’s heart began to change and he stopped depending on God. Instead, he did things in his own strength and dishonored the prophet and his office. Saul was supposed to wait on Samuel to burn an offering to the Lord but he got impatient and did it himself.
1 Samuel 13:12 says, “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.”
3) Kind to Mean
1 Samuel 9:18 says, “Saul approached Samuel at the gate and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”
Saul had manners. He honored Samuel and showed respected. He asked kindly where the prophet’s house was. Many people are meek when they start off in ministry. As time goes on, they spend less time in prayer and become mean. If you easily snap, that’s a sign that you aren’t spending enough time with God. Later, as the sins of Saul caught up to him, he became mean. He wanted to kill an innocent man out of jealousy. How could he mistreat David? David was there to bless him and help in any way that he could.
1 Samuel 19:4 says, “And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:”
4) Humility to Pride
1 Samuel 9:21 says, “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?”
Saul started off humble. He knew that he came from humble beginnings and was shocked to receive prophecies about wealth. Saul felt like he did nothing to deserve increase. He gave up seeking God’s counsel and help during his rule, so he sought out demonic sources. Eventually, his sin opened the door to death. Sin equals death (Romans 6:23). Saul could’ve put on sackcloth, anointed himself in ashes, fasted, and cried out to the Lord every time he sinned, but he didn’t. He became desperate and turned away from God to seek out a witch.
1 Samuel 28:7 says, “Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.”
As you can see, it’s easy to stumble and make horrific mistakes when you disobey God. Make sure that you are reading your Bible daily and praying consistently. You have to incorporated fasting to bring your flesh underneath subjection. Seek God to receive the best instructions on how to fast. Lastly, live a holy life, so you don’t make the same mistakes as Saul.
Kimberly Moses Ministries ©2020
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Kimberly Moses started off her ministry as Kimberly Hargraves. She is highly sought after as a prophetic voice, intercessor and prolific author. There is no doubt that she has a global mandate on her life to serve the nations of the world by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has a quickly expanding worldwide healing and deliverance ministry. Kimberly Moses wears many hats to fulfill the call God has placed on her life as an entrepreneur over several businesses including her own personal brand Rejoice Essentials which promotes the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She also serves as a life coach and mentor to many women. She is also the loving mother of two wonderful children. She is married to Tron. Kimberly has dedicated her life to the work of ministry and to serve others under the call God has placed over her life. Kimberly currently resides in South Carolina.
