Saul’s rule of Israel was hardly something to brag about.  He was disobedient to the Lord right from the beginning.  The prophet Samuel tried to warn him and teach him the right way to go but Saul insisted on doing things his own way.  The Lord sent a number of things into Saul’s life in an attempt to turn him back to the Lord.  Saul was determined to be his own man.

Saul’s life was ended at the hands of the Philistines over twenty years after David had been anointed to be the next king of Israel.  It is not clear why the Lord waited so long before making the transition to David as king of Israel.  It could have been to give David time to become more mature and gain experience.  It could also have been to give Saul time to repent and turn back to the Lord.

Saul failed to respond and so the Lord caused him to be killed in a battle with the Philistines.  This verse reminds us that God is in control of everything.  As those arrows were flying in the battle, the Lord directed one to fly to the target He had placed on King Saul.  He had no chance of escape.  His fate had been sealed because his heart was hard toward the Lord.

What is tragic about this is the two things that Saul depended upon became trophies of his enemies; his armor and his head.  Saul’s armor was placed in the temple of their gods and his head was placed on the wall of the temple of Dagon.  Saul depended upon his own strength which is pictured in his armor and his own wisdom.  The enemy took both and mounted them on their walls like they might the head of an animal they had hunted.  It was a way of saying that our gods are stronger than yours.

All of this happened because Saul was unfaithful to the Lord.  As leaders of families, ministries, churches, or in industry we need to take careful note of what happened to Saul.  Because he was unfaithful, the Lord took him out.  In this case, He did it literally by taking his life.  There are other ways that the Lord can take you out.  He can take away your position or authority or ability.  Humble your heart before you find yourself hanging on some enemy’s wall as a trophy.

God will be patient, desiring that you would humble your heart before Him and repent.  But don’t think even for a second that a rebellious leader is going to get away with his sins forever.  In His time, the Lord will act.  If you find yourself under the leadership of a leader who is rebelling against God, remember to let God deal with that leader.  It is your responsibility before the Lord to follow as if He were the Lord until the Lord acts or causes you to move on.  Jesus, help us to be faithful to You whether we are leading or following.

Read: 1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14; Acts 27:21-44; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 18:23-24