Fall of a Leader (April 12)

Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's  head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the Lord anointed you leader over his inheritance?

Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the Lord.

But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, 'No, we want a king to rule over us'--even though the Lord your God was your king.

For the sake of his great name, the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.

I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal and I have not sought the Lord's favor.'  So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."
                               From 1 Samuel 10-13 NIV

We read a portion of Saul's life today and we can learn about leadership in the reading.  Saul, has been called by a reliable servant,  completes an extraordinary task (the Spirit's work), and has the work confirmed by peers in a nation that has the Lord as king yet desires a human king.  Saul fails when he departs from the Lord's method of sacrifice and takes matters into his own hands by offering a burnt offering and not waiting for Samuel to offer the sacrifice.  As a result, Saul is told that his kingdom will not endure for he acted foolishly.

We see Samuel taking on the role of prophet and providing a pattern for future prophets to warn kings and Israel about consequences of departing from the Lord.

Saul, a gifted man, dishonored and displeased the Lord.  As a result, his kingdom would not last forever and the Lord sought out another and appointed him (David) as king.

Thoughts:

How do you look for a leader?  What qualities do you seek? 

How are you thankful that God by the gift of Jesus, did the work for our salvation and that our salvation is not dependent on our actions?

Where do you, as a leader, look for guidance and direction?


Pray for open eyes and strength to follow the Spirit's guidance.

In Christ,

David P