The Downward Spiral of Saul, 1 Sam 18:5-30

P. Dixon 10/05/08

When one rejects the revelation of God there will inevitably follow a downward spiral of moral corruption and self-destruction. It is a truth taught consistently throughout scripture. In fact, it is so prevalent that it is amazing anyone can deny or ignore it. Let me highlight just three examples from the word, show its truth in the passage before us today, then make some applications.

I. Three biblical examples of the downward spiral principle

From natural revelation alone, from what has been created, Paul argues in Rom 1:18ff that God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly evident to all, so that all are obligated to give God glory and thanksgiving. All have a basic knowledge of God. But when they refuse to give him honor and thanksgiving the downward spiral begins. They become futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts are darkened. They exchange the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles, so that they begin to worship creation rather than the Creator. When they do this God gives them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done, so that they become consumed by their own degrading lusts and desires, and are consumed with sexual perversions of every kind.

When Jesus came and revealed himself through teachings and miracles the scribes and Pharisees rejected him to the point where they began attributing his works and teachings to that of the prince of demons. That was the point of no return for them. It was the unforgivable sin. Thereafter their hearts became filled with jealousy and hatred toward Christ. And, this resulted in their murder of him.

Perhaps the earliest case of such blatant rejection of God’s revelation goes back to the story of Cain and Abel. God had prescribed how he was to be worshipped - by the bringing of an animal sacrifice. Yet, Cain rejected this and figured he could worship God on his own terms, so he brought an offering of the fruit of the ground. Consequently, the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but he had no regard for Abel or his offering. This made Cain very angry, so God said to him, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door and its desire is for you, but you must rule over it’ (Gen 4:7).

Putting these together there is a pattern that develops. When people reject the revelation of God and act according to their own devices, God rejects them. When God rejects people they will invariably become angry and jealous of God and anything pertaining to God, including his people. Such anger leads to hatred which leads to a desire to kill and destroy the people of God. This is the pattern we see in the story of Saul.

II. The downward spiral of Saul: rejection of the word of the Lord, anger, hatred, murder.

A. Saul was rejected by God, because Saul had rejected the word of the Lord, 1 Sam 15:23.

Saul’s downfall spiral began with his rejection of the word of the Lord. He had refused to do it God’s way in waiting for Samuel to come to make the sacrifice to the Lord, so he did it himself. He also refused to obey the Lord in utterly destroying the Amalekites. He chose to leave the good things for himself and not to bring them to God. So, through Samuel God tells Saul, because you have rejected the word of the Lord, I have rejected you from being king over Israel. God would raise up a man after his own heart, a man who feared and loved the Lord and who trembled at his word. David’s victory over Goliath and his military successes in general put him in good stead not only with Saul and his son Jonathan who loved him as his own soul, but with all the people. Notice the words in verses 5-8.

B. Saul subsequently became angry and jealous over David’s successes.

C. Saul‘s anger and jealousy resulted in his attempts to kill David, 9-30.

1. A harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul and Saul tried twice to kill David who evaded him, 10-11.

God in his sovereignty allowed an evil spirit to torment Saul. This is not unique to scripture. What we don’t see on earth are the spiritual goings-on in heaven. Yet, scripture reminds us that Satan has had access into the very presence of God since the days of old, and that he has made suggestions or challenges to God which God has allowed for his sovereign good purposes. For example, with Job Satan argued the reason he was so righteous was that God had put a protective hedge him. Remove it and Job would curse God. So, God allowed Satan to do certain things to Job and Job was found faithful. In addition, however, Job learned a good lesson: that no purpose of God’s could be thwarted. When Paul was taken into the 3^rd heaven and shown things which he was forbidden to speak, he was subsequently given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to plague him, in order to keep him humble. Christ told Peter that Satan had demanded to sift him as wheat, but that Christ had prayed for him that his faith would not fail and that he would be able to strengthen the brethren as a result of it afterwards. God works in mysterious ways, his wonders to proclaim. So, it is obvious God allows Satan to do certain things to the children of God for their ultimate good.

But, it is not so just with the children of the Lord. In 1 Kgs 22:19-23 the prophet Micaiah says,, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 20 and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 23 Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.”

God does work in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.

2. Saul attempts to kill David by using his daughters as lures, but fails to do so both times, 17-30.

13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. 14 And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. 15 And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them. 17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord's battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” 18 And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” 19 But at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife. 20 Now Saul's daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21 Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.” 22 And Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king's son-in-law.’” 23 And Saul's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?” 24 And the servants of Saul told him, “Thus and so did David speak.” 25 Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king's enemies.’” Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law. Before the time had expired, 27 David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. 28 But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him, 29 Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David's enemy continually. 30 Then the princes of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.

III. The NT fulfillment and application

As in the story of Saul’s jealousy, hatred and attempts to murder David parallel and serve as an OT type of the NT religious leaders’ jealousy and hatred of Christ. The difference, of course, is that the scribes and Pharisees actually put Christ to death, whereas God continually interceded and protected his servant David in order to establish the Davidic kingdom.

Peter says in Acts 2:22, Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know -- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Another striking parallel is that in both cases God is seen as sovereignly in control and bringing to pass his purposes while using the hatred and jealously of evil men and holding them accountable for their actions. The sovereignty of God and man’s accountability are evident in both. One does not exclude or preclude the other. They work together as a hand in a glove for an ultimate good purpose.

While the animal sacrifices in the OT serve as a type of the sacrificial lamb to come, the OT types of the death and resurrection of Christ fall short, because the do not end with the death of the man. The sacrifice of Abraham’s son ended with the sparing of his son, as the sacrifice was replaced with the ram in the thicket. Likewise, the story of David persecution and suffering did not end in his death. He was spared. But, with Christ it was different. His death was the culmination of it all and it is fitting no OT parallel exists.

As we come to the Lord’s Table this morning let us focus upon this great historical event, the greatest demonstration of love ever. For in it we are remained of the many promises of God which flow from it. If he did not spare his own son but gave him up for us, will he not surely give us the lesser, and perfect that which he began in us and keep us eternally secure from all attempts to undo what he has done? Truly, to God be the glory now and evermore. Amen.