Articles, Bible Questions and Discipleship Guides

A good start in life or in leadership does not guarantee a good ending. 

Richard Nixon was a popular and effective president, whose public approval rating peaked at 67 percent, until the Watergate scandal forced him to resign in disgrace. 

I watched a documentary recently about Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of a medical technology company that, at its peak, was valued at $9 billion. The problem was that her company—and the technology she claimed to have invented—was all a masquerade. Her net worth was erased, she was convicted of fraud and sentence to prison with a net worth of $0. 

By far, the most infamous fall from grace in American history is Benedict Arnold, the American hero during the Revolutionary War who later defected to the British, betraying the country he had formerly fought to defend. 

I couldn’t help but think of the fact that one of the greatest “beginnings” for an Israelite king resulted in a tragic fall into sin and defiance. King Saul would become one of his nation’s greatest examples that: 

A GOOD START IN LIFE OR IN LEADERSHIP DOES NOT GUARANTEE A GOOD ENDING. 

Shortly after the prophet Samuel’s interaction with the elders of Israel, who insisted on a king, the Lord directed Samuel to anoint a young man by the name of Saul as the first king of Israel. Introduced to us in 1 Samuel 9, Saul was tall, handsome and the son of a wealthy Benjaminite named Kish. While the first description of Saul in the Bible relates to his physical appearance, chapters 9 and 10 go on to describe several ways Saul had potential to become a good and godly king. 

First, Saul was a sensitive son who obeyed his father’s wishes. Further, Saul was a modest man who didn’t boast about being selected by God as king. Saul exhibited a healthy fear regarding the responsibilities of ruling Israel. Finally, Saul demonstrated humility when his claim to the throne was challenged by others. 

When Samuel anointed Saul, he told him, “‘You shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies’” (1 Samuel 10:1). Saul immediately rose to the challenge and, in chapter 11, King Saul and his Israelite army soundly defeated the Ammonites—a bitter rival in those days. 

By the time you reach the end of chapter 11, the description of Israel and their king would lead you to think that everything was going to turn out wonderfully: “[In Gilgal] they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly” (1 Samuel 11:15). You might expect Samuel to add, “and they all lived happily ever after!” 

But we know from history—and our own personal experiences as Christians—that godly success one day doesn’t guarantee success the following day. A good start does not guarantee a good ending. The truth is: the speed and severity of someone’s fall into sin can be just as swift as their rise to fame and success. 

Those earlier character traits of humility, modesty, and trust quickly turned into character deficiencies such as arrogance and defiance toward God. 

On two occasions, King Saul defiantly rejected the commands of God. He evidently believed that he knew better than God. First, he played the role of priest, by offering sacrifices to God rather than waiting for Samuel to arrive and perform those priestly duties. 

Second, God commanded Saul to destroy the Amalekites—including their cattle. Yet, Saul spared the Amalekite king, Agag, in addition to some of the finest animals. Later, on Mount Carmel, Samuel told Saul, “‘For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king’” (1 Samuel 15:23). 

While Saul continues to serve as king over Israel for several more years, it’s clear that he is no longer God’s anointed choice for the nation’s throne. It won’t be long until Samuel is sent by God to find, and anoint, the next king of Israel. 

Saul’s tragic fall into sin can teach us critical lessons in our own walk of obedience with God. 

FIRST, HUMILITY IS A VIRTUE NEEDED FOR GODLY LEADERS. 

In the end, King Saul’s greatest sin was pride. He convinced himself that his status as king gave him a special right to act in ways God had not allowed. In other words, Saul developed an inflated view of his own importance, his own significance, and his own rights. 

EVERY LEADER HAS THEIR POWER GIVEN TO THEM BY GOD, AND IT CAN BE REMOVED BY THE WILL OF GOD. 

Even though He knew Saul would fail, God was still directly involved in his appointment. And even though Saul continued to rule after his sinful defiance, God was already working to elevate His next appointed man to the throne. God’s next candidate will be King David, a man simply referred to as a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). 

Finally, here’s another reminder worth rehearsing today: 

BEHIND EVERY RULER TODAY—A KING SAUL OR A KING DAVID—GOD IS ULTIMATELY IN CONTROL. 

We can remain confident that our governmental leaders today are not beyond the authority and power of God. Whether they are rebellious or righteous, God’s plans are unfolding right on time, in every generation, and in every country today.