Page 29 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

Lord came to Samuel, ‘I repent that I He was a murderer. He murdered
have made Saul king; for he has turned 85 priests of Nob because they were
back from following me, and has not cooperating with David and made
performed my commandments” (1 Sam. several attempts to kill David (1 Sam.
15:10). King Saul violated the act of 22:16). More so, Saul was unfair to his
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Herem (holy destruction of all living promises. For example, he promised to
things). God commanded him to destroy give his daughter to a person who would
all the Amalekites. Instead, he spared kill Goliath, but when David killed
King Agag and the fatty animals. He was Goliath, he did not fulfil his promise.
a lair; for example, he deceived Samuel
by saying he had obeyed the Lord’s He refused his men to eat food for a
command to destroy all the property. full day, but only until he had revenged
Yet, he had spared Agag and the fatty on his enemies (1 Sam. 14:24ff). In
animals (1 Sam 15:10). Saul was also addition, Saul was not appreciative of
a coward. He showed great fear in the other people’s contributions. Though
Philistine war. He feared the threats of David had played a significant role in
Goliath. defending his kingdom, Saul could not
appreciate his efforts. Instead, he wanted
He was impatient because he did not wait to kill him.
for Samuel to give him directives and
guidelines on conducting the sacrifice He failed to control his army. Although
at Gilgal. Afterwards, Samuel came, Saul had a strong army, he failed
and Saul went to meet and rebuked to control his soldiers, and most of
him. In this way, he showed that he was them deserted him by allowing the
impatient, but God does not deal with philistines army to attack the Israelites.
impatient people. He offered sacrifices, Furthermore, Saul attempted to commit
which was against the Levite law of suicide, which was against the covenant
priesthood. The law required only priests laws in Exodus 20:13, “You shall not
to offer sacrifices to God. Therefore, he kill”. Saul was also jealous. Several
disrespected the priesthood office (1 times, he attempted to kill David, who
Sam. 13:9-12). was a friend to his son Jonathan (1 Sam.

18:6-10).
Also, Saul worshipped Baal. For
example, he named his son Eshbaal, Due to the above failures, Prophet
a pagan name meaning man of Baal, Samuel announced the rejection of Saul
which was against the Mosaic law. He by God. Samuel said, “Your rule will not
consulted the false prophets (a medium)
after failing to get an answer from an continue, because you have rejected the
aspect which showed mistrust in God (1 word of God, He has also rejected you
Sam. 28:3). from being a king” (1 Sam. 13:11-15 &
15:23).
20 Form Five Student’s Book