Great Men Who Never Became Great ( CONCLUSION)

SAUL
He was the first king of a united Kingdom of Israel and Judah. He was anointed by the prophet Samuel and reigned from Gibeah.

According to the Tanakh, Saul was the son of Kish, of the family of the Matrites, and a member of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve Tribes of Israel. (1 Samuel 9:1-2; 10:21; 14:51; Acts 13:21) It appears that he came from Gibeah.

Saul married Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz. They had four sons and two daughters.

It was recorded that Saul's rejection began after his refusal to abide to the instruction from God's Prophet (Samuel), who told him God instructed him to kill all the Amalekites but Saul killed all the men, women, children and poor quality livestock, but left the king and best livestock alive. When Samuel found out that Saul has not killed them all, he confronted Saul, told him God has rejected him as king, because Saul was disobedient.

More so, when Samuel turns away, Saul grabs Samuel by his clothes. A piece of his garment tears off, and Samuel announces this as indicative of what will happen to Saul's kingdom. Samuel then kills the Amalekite king himself 1 Samuel 15:33 and leaves Saul for the last time.

Saul according to the Bible was punished by God in the following ways;

1. (1 Samuel 16:14-23) Saul is troubled by an evil spirit sent by God.

2.  The Philistines return with an army to attack Israel, and the Philistine and Israelite forces gather on opposite sides of a valley. A Rephaite from Gath named Goliath challenges the Israelite army to send a champion to fight with him.

3. God makes David successful wherever Saul sends him. And after David returns from battle, the women heap praise upon him and refer to him as a greater military hero than Saul by singing.

4.  Again during Saul's rein the Philistines prepared to attack Israel, Saul consults a witch who conjures up the spirit of Samuel, who had previously died (1 Samuel 25:1; 28:3). Upon seeing Samuel's ghost,Saul told him of the forthcoming battle with the Philistines and that God would not answer him anymore when he prayed, and asked for understanding. The ghost then told Saul that he would lose the battle and his life.

5. David over throws Saul.

Disobedience is caused by rebellion and distrust of God. To be disobedient is to yield to self-will instead of surrendering to God and desiring His will in all things.

Saul lost everything because of his disobedience to God. So also Adam and Eve were sent out of the Garden of Eden because of their disobedience.  Many times as Christians we make the same mistake Saul made, we believe our choices are more reasonable that God's commandments. We make excuses on reasons why we should not obey God's laid down illustrations in the Bible.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, no matter the circumstance, one finds himself, obey the Lord and let him do the rest because in truth we can not hide from the wrath of the LORD.

For instance a female student after been pressurized by her lecturer decides to have sex with him, because he promised to make sure she gets good grades in her exams but if only we know that only the MASTER of the universe holds the world, if you could just tell him about the situation and trust him, he will move heaven and earth for thy sake.

And if he says NO! that which you desire will fail.
 
Never let the desires of the world blind you to the promises of God, everything will perish but God's promises will always be fulfilled.

Disobedience to God and those in authority over you can block the joy, blessings and inner peace which God desires for you.

Confess the disobedience as sin. Ask God for forgiveness and claim His promise of complete pardon. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).