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How should we measure someone’s life? We’re constantly tempted to assess the success of someone’s life by their achievements, money and influence. Saul has, in many ways, gained these things:
• he’s the national leader
• he’s experienced great military victory (vv. 47–48)
• he’s established a royal family and built a team of leaders (vv. 49–52)
This is a successful man in the eyes of the world. Yet, our passage shows us that, amidst his success, he’s also a very foolish man. Worldly success and wisdom aren’t the same things.
The passage is dominated by Saul’s rash vow in verse 24 (vows were solemn and serious things in the ancient world). This vow forbade his troops from eating anything until they had obliterated the enemy. This was undoubtedly a foolish and reckless thing to do. Saul’s vow was unnecessary, oppressive for his men and militarily stupid (vv. 29–30). Further, it caused the men, driven by extreme hunger and fatigue, to break the food laws in Leviticus 17 (vv. 31–35). Saul’s unwise leadership actually undermined the spiritual integrity of Israel. All in all, it seems that this vow was driven more by his ego and need for revenge than the good of the kingdom.
The low point in it all is reached when Saul, out of a distorted mixture of pride and religiosity, almost executes his own son, Jonathan. Saul feels that the Lord isn’t guiding him (vv. 37–39), and so draws lots to find out who is behind this. Jonathan had, earlier, unwittingly broken the vow (v. 27), and the lot exposes him (vv. 41–42). Saul seems intent on keeping his vow to execute the culprit (v. 44), but everyone else thinks he’s being absurd (vv. 43, 45). Funnily enough, in the end, it’s Saul’s own men who have to save Jonathan from his own dad.
Saul’s foolishness shows us that the priority in God’s kingdom isn’t success, but wisdom. Let’s make sure we’re seeking that wisdom, whatever other success the Lord might grant us in our lives.
REFLECTION
1. How can success make us act unwisely? What is true wisdom?
2. Where are you in danger of acting foolishly in your life? Where do you need wisdom today?
Scripture
About this Plan
1 Samuel charts the rise and fall of several of Israel’s leaders. You’ll meet the notoriously arrogant king Saul and see the ascent of the man after God’s own heart – David. You’ll read of dangerous battles, murder plots, giants and even more surprises in this book. You’ll see that despite turbulence in leadership, seemingly strong enemies and spiritual decay God is very much at work orchestrating the fall of the proud and the rise of the humble. What an encouragement for us today when we are faced with challenges not too dissimilar to these!
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