Bible Men: King Saul: His Rise and Fall

But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 1Sa 16:14  

Reason, Faith and the God of Election

Madness is not an easy subject to write about. Yet on the other hand it is not very hard. “Are you mad?” is a question one meets with almost daily.

And we talk of anger as madness. So we say of the man who’s never exasperated, “He doesn’t get mad!” And that is always a revelation. 

For some people shouting flows in the blood. It is not madness. To speak in low tones is often a sign of trouble. And many times it invites the slap, “Speak like a man!”

We have all said or done terrible things in anger (haven’t we?). And later we intoned “I was mad!”

But King Saul’s madness is complicated. A good Spirit from God left him and “an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.”

The implication is terrible but true. The good and bad are all allowed by God but at the same time God is not evil. It is a paradox but true. God made Satan.

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Isa 45:7 

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…according to the good pleasure of his will. Eph 1:4-5 

God chose Israel over other nations, he chose Abraham over his siblings, he chose Isaac over Ishmael, and he chose Jacob over Esau. God is a God of election and no one can say to him, “What doeth thou?”

So it is not reason but faith which makes us believe.

Change of Guard and Change of Trouble

The people of Israel had been ruled by God. He had been their leader since the days of Moses. But suddenly they wanted to be ruled like “other nations.” They wanted a human king. 

It vexed God just as it would vex any parent to be rejected of his own children. But God in his mercy forgave them. He gave them Saul instead.

Saul started off shyly. He had a physique which was higher than that of any other man. Probably he grew up being self-conscious about it. It is not easy standing out in the world. God means it for his glory but many times it defeats us and becomes a source of trouble.

Saul was restless. His was a small tribe. But now the whole Israel nation was under him. Probably the enormity of that task ate into his nerves like malignity. 

In the end he cuts a tragic figure. As an army general he’s worse for a foul temper and hasty decisions. Twice he came close to killing his own son. He headed a disgruntled army and a dejected citizenry. They interceded “God save the king” but in the end even breathing out his name became a burden. It is true that people get what they pray for. We have elections coming. Shall we elect a Saul or a David?

The height of King Saul’s madness occurred when he ordered the death of eighty five priests of God including the high priest of Nob Ahimelech. From that point king Saul could only go down.

Now his desire to kill David became his all-consuming obsession, and "Mine enemies would daily swallow me up" became David’s incessant cry.

It is said of Prometheus that “Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.” That is true of small gods, but it is not true of the God of all the earth. He is not vindictive. “For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men” (Lam 3:31-33).  

We cry for Saul. We feel for Saul. His pathos inflames. But God’s patience had run out.

“Madness” and Music: Growing Life Through Contradictions

But God did not leave Saul’s “evil spirit” to trouble him without respite. In his mercy he sent him a comforter. David played his harp and that music calmed Saul. But in chasing David from his palace Saul forfeited that mercy.

Yet David is still playing his harp today and comforting thousands in his psalms. Are you one of them?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psa 42:5 

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. Psa 139:7-8   

And yet David was only the precursor to the eternal comforter which is Christ Jesus. “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation.”

 The Wounds Which Heal

And so we are as sorrowful, writes Paul, yet always rejoicing; as poor yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

By honour and dishonuor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers and yet true. As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed (2Co 6:8-10).

“By his stripes we are healed.” We look at the cross and our wounds seem like a dot in the sand. There’s no pain which we face but which didn’t strike him first. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1Pe 4:12-13).

Saul ignited his own flame of destruction. He became intoxicated with death as he roamed the plains of Palestine hunting for David. He didn't know the bells were tolling for him.

Christ died, and Christ rose again. All our pains are subsumed in his victory now. The sting is lost in joy. We look to the past for affirmation. But even more we look to the future for sure certainty. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Nothing!

How sweet rest can get! How addictive! But how soon it also gets irksome! I’m well and refreshed. I thank my God upon you all. I felt your love. Thanks.