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29. King Saul (Talut)

Do you know the story of Saul? Saul is a man who wanted to be king, a man who was impressive from the outside. But Saul liked to do things his own way instead of doing things God's way. Saul grabbed Samuel’s tunic and pulled it away from him. In the same way, the kingship was pulled away from Saul. This is a reminder to us, not to do things our own way nor for our own glory and honor. May we to listen to God and to be faithful to what He commands.

·      Read in The Qur’an – 2:247-249

 

Readings from The Qur’an:

·      The Qur'an 2:249 “Then when Tahut (Saul) set out with the army, he said: "Verily! Allah will try you by a river. So whoever drinks thereof, he is not of me, and whoever tastes it not, he is of me, except him who takes (thereof) in the hollow of his hand." Yet, they drank thereof, all, except a few of them. So when he had crossed it (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: "We have no power this day against Jalut (Goliath) and his hosts." But those who knew with certainty that they were going to meet Allah, said: "How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allah's Leave?" And Allah is with As-Sabirum (the patient).”

·      Why is this description of an Army drinking by a river confused with the passage from Judges 7 of the Bible with Gideon instead of Saul?

·      Judges 7:5–7 “So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” [6] And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. [7] And the LORD said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.”

·      The Qur’an 2:247 “And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them, "Indeed Allâh has appointed Tâlût (Saul) as a king over you." They said, "How can he be a king over us when we are fitter than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth." He said: "Verily, Allâh has chosen him above you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allâh grants His kingdom to whom He wills. And Allâh is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower."

 

Readings from The Tanakh and The Bible:

 

A wise man relates to God while a fool resorts to God:

·      Foolishness Looks from the Outside - And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. (1 Samuel 9:2)

·      Wisdom Looks to the Heart - But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

·      Foolishness Seeks Shallow Pursuits - And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. (1 Sam 12:21)

·      Wisdom Seeks God’s Priorities - And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.” (1 Sam 12:20)

·      Foolishness Fears Man - “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)

·      Wisdom Fears God - “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

·      Foolishness Acts in Fear - Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.” (1 Samuel 13:11-13 ESV)

·      Wisdom Acts in Trust - And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” (1 Samuel 17:37)

·      Foolishness Gives Vengeance

·      Saul Pursues David: 1 Sam 18:6 – 1 Sam 26

·      Saul Murders the Priests at Nob: 1 Sam 22:6-19

·      Wisdom Gives Grace

·      He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.” (1 Samuel 24:17)

·      David Spares Saul’s Life - 1 Samuel 24 & 1 Samuel 26

·      Are your motives in seeking God self-serving and religious-minded? Or are your motives in seeking God based on your awe of Him and relationship with Him?

·      When you see someone acting foolish, do you find yourself being judgmental or lovingly compassionate and caring when sharing God’s warnings?

·      Do you pray for wisdom and pray for the Lord to change the hearts of the foolish?

·      Does your life show that you lovingly walk in the wisdom of God’s commands? That you trust and prioritize God? That you hope in, listen to, and follow Him?

·      Do you overflow God’s love and grace to others?

 

See also:

·      “The Kings and Prophets of the Old Testament (Tanakh)” www.trustworthyword.com/kings-prophets