The Trouble With King Saul: Part 2

The Trouble with King Saul: Part 2

Bible Blast: Read 1 Samuel 14:47, 15:24-29

You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 19:21

Saul was a power-hungry king. Some translations of 1 Samuel 14:47 say that he “secured his grasp” on the throne. Saul was really into the idea of being king of Israel, and he didn’t want anybody to change that. Let’s look at how things turned out for him after Samuel told him about the importance of obedience.

Saul eventually admitted that he had sinned because he didn’t do exactly what the Lord had commanded him to do. Samuel’s response to Saul’s confession must have given Saul chill bumps all the way down to his royal sandals: “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you” (1 Samuel 15:28).

King Saul forgot that God was the one who had made him king of Israel. Saul thought if he held onto the throne tightly enough, even God wouldn’t be able to tear it from his hands. He grew to love his kingly power more than he loved the One who gave it to him.

Throughout your life God will assign you different tasks, jobs, and roles. When that happens, always remember who gave them to you so if he ever needs to take them from you, you won’t be completely devastated. God knows more than you. In fact, he knows everything. Did you catch that? Everything. When you realize this, it should help you not to worry or be afraid. Realizing that God knows all things in the past, present, and future should give you amazing peace.

Is there anything that you are holding on to that you need to let go of? A lot of girls your age start to “secure a grasp” on boyfriends. Some girls start to “secure a grasp” on sports. Still others “secure a grasp” on popular friends. These aren’t things that are bad, but if they aren’t from God—and the timing isn’t right—it’s going to hurt when God makes you let go.

Girl Gab: Mom, tell your daughter about a time in your life when you were worried about what God was doing but now you see what his purpose was. Hold out your hands with your palms facing up, and thank God for his great love and wisdom.