1. Saul: A Humble Beginning, A Tragic End
Scripture reading: 1 Sam 9:15-27

2. A Positive Beginning He had a humble opinion of himself (1 Sam 9:21)
He did not boast about being told he would be king (1 Sam 10:15-16)
He stayed in the background (1 Sam 10:22)
He knew how to keep his peace (1 Sam 10:27)

3. Pride vs Humility

4. A Positive Beginning
He was zealous to help those in need (1 Sam 11:1-7)

5. A Positive Beginning
He was a man of great courage (1 Sam 11:11)

6. A Positive Beginning
He was a man of forgiveness (1 Sam 11:12-13)

7. His Problematic Behavior
Saul waited seven days for Samuel to come make an offering to the Lord before going into battle but he didn’t show (1 Sam 13:5-8)
Waiting can be a test
Saul was a king and not a priest so he was not to perform the sacrifice
Saul was punished for not obeying the commands of the Lord

8. His Problematic Behavior
Saul becomes anxious and makes the sacrifice himself

9. His Problematic Behavior
In Chapter 15 Saul again disobeys the Lord
Saul is rejected as king
First he lies (13-14)
Second he tries to justify (vs 15-21)
Finally he repents (22-29)

10. His Persistent Bitterness
David enters the life of Saul in chapter 16

11. His Persistent Bitterness
Chapter 7 tells the account of David defeating Goliath

12. His Persistent Bitterness
Chapter 18 David returns from battle and women sing his praise
Saul digressed from loving David to hating him

13. His Pitiful Burial
Saul’s final battle was recorded in 1 Sam 31

14. Conclusion This is the tragic story of a man who started out so well
In just a few years he lost his humility, his character, his kingdom, and his life
This is the sad story of many servants of God today who start out well but are unable to remain faithful unto death