Saul was chosen and anointed as first King of Israel, but he foolishly lost his throne. There are three reasons:
1) Rush to sacrifice: Saul mustered his army in Gilgal to fight against the Philistine. Samuel was supposed to come in seven days, offer sacrifice, after that they could start the war against the Philistines. By the time Samuel arrived, Saul, fed up with waiting and fearing that Israel would be scattered, offered unlawful sacrifice. Samuel rebuked for his foolishness and said that the Lord will not establish his kingdom but appoint someone else. (I Samuel 13: 8-14)
2) Rash vow: King Saul wanted to retain his credibility before the Nation. He wanted to show himself spiritually. Saul said, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies.” (I Samuel 14:24) The troops were gearing themselves for the battle and Saul makes the oath that is totally illogical. That was the time when soldiers needed more energy and stamina and hence nutritious food. His statement was selfish that he wanted to avenge himself. Neither God nor Israel figured in his whole thinking and hence in his statement. That shows his self-importance preceded God’s glory and the welfare of the nation of Israel.
3) Rebellion: Lord commissioned Saul to destroy Amalekites. (I Samuel 15:3) However, Saul did not destroy. He allowed people to retain the spoils. “And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” Achan sinned and brought curse on the whole Israel camp. (Joshua 7) Saul and people did a similar thing: “But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted themselves to destruction.” (I Samuel 15:9)
Saul lost his kingship by foolish worship, rash oath, and disobedience.
Am I foolish, rash and disobedient?