Topical Encyclopedia Saul, the first king of Israel, is a complex figure whose reign is marked by both triumph and tragedy. His life and actions provide numerous examples of falsehood, which ultimately contribute to his downfall. Saul's account is primarily found in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel.Anointed King and Early Success Saul was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 10:1). Initially, Saul demonstrated humility and leadership, leading Israel to victory over the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:11). However, his reign soon became marred by disobedience and deceit. Disobedience and Deception One of the earliest instances of Saul's falsehood is his unlawful sacrifice at Gilgal. When Samuel delayed in arriving, Saul took it upon himself to offer the burnt offering, violating God's command (1 Samuel 13:8-14). When confronted by Samuel, Saul attempted to justify his actions rather than confessing his wrongdoing, saying, "I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering" (1 Samuel 13:12). Another significant act of falsehood occurred during the Amalekite campaign. God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions (1 Samuel 15:3). However, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock. When Samuel confronted him, Saul initially claimed he had obeyed the Lord, saying, "I have carried out the LORD's instructions" (1 Samuel 15:13). Only after persistent questioning did Saul admit his disobedience, blaming the people for taking the plunder (1 Samuel 15:15, 21). Jealousy and Pursuit of David Saul's falsehood extended to his relationship with David. After David's victory over Goliath, Saul became increasingly jealous of David's popularity and success (1 Samuel 18:7-9). Saul's jealousy led him to deceitful actions, such as offering his daughter Michal in marriage to David as a snare, hoping David would fall by the hand of the Philistines (1 Samuel 18:21, 25). Saul's pursuit of David was marked by numerous attempts to kill him, despite David's loyalty and innocence. Saul's deceitful nature is evident when he feigned repentance after David spared his life, saying, "I have sinned. Come back, my son David. For I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious" (1 Samuel 26:21). Yet, Saul continued to seek David's life. Consultation with the Medium at Endor In a final act of falsehood and desperation, Saul sought guidance from a medium at Endor, directly violating God's law against consulting the dead (1 Samuel 28:7-8). Disguising himself, Saul asked the medium to summon the spirit of Samuel. This act of deceit and disobedience further demonstrated Saul's departure from God's will. Legacy of Falsehood Saul's reign, which began with promise, ended in tragedy. His repeated acts of falsehood, disobedience, and deceit led to his rejection by God as king (1 Samuel 15:26). Saul's life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of falsehood and the importance of obedience to God's commands. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 15:1-26Samuel also said to Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint you to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore listen you to the voice of the words of the LORD. Nave's Topical Index Library Kept from Iniquity On the Words of the Gospel of John vii. 6, Etc. , Where Jesus Said ... The Greater Prophets. Refutation of the Ebionites, who Disparaged the Authority of St. ... Psalm LVII. The Evidence of Scripture on Changes of Determination. The Beatific vision. I Would Add, Moreover, that they Themselves... Dr. Philip Schaff on the Resurrection. Psalm LIX. Resources What is the spirit of the antichrist? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is sound doctrine so important? | GotQuestions.org Should the Hebrew midwives be commended for lying? | GotQuestions.org Falsehood: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Falsehood in Accusing Ahimelech of Conspiring With David Against Himself Falsehood in Denying to the King of Gerar, That She Was Abraham's Wife Falsehood in False Professions to Absalom Falsehood in Falsely Accusing Jesus of Being Gluttonous and a Winebibber (A Wino) Falsehood in his Deceitful Counsel to Absalom Falsehood in his False Pretensions to Jesus Falsehood in Impugning Job's Motives for Being Righteous Falsehood in Refusing to Bear Truthful Testimony Concerning John the Baptist Falsehood: Aaron, in Attempting to Shift Responsibility for the Making of the Golden Calf Falsehood: Abraham, in Denying That Sarah Was his Wife Falsehood: Adam and Eve, in Attempting to Evade Responsibility Falsehood: Ananias and Sapphira Falsely State That They had Sold Their Land for a Given Sum Falsehood: Cain, in Denying Knowledge of his Brother Falsehood: David in Feigning Madness Falsehood: David Lied to Ahimelech Falsehood: David's Other Deceits With the Philistines Falsehood: Falsely Accusing Jesus of Blasphemy, when he Forgave Sin Falsehood: Gehazi, when he Ran After Naaman Falsehood: General Scriptures Concerning Falsehood: Haman, in his Conspiracy Against the Jews Falsehood: Herod the Great, to the Wise Men, in Professing to Desire to Worship Jesus Falsehood: Isaac, Denying That Rebekah Was his Wife Falsehood: Jacob's Sons, in the Scheme to Destroy the Shechemites by First Having Them Circumcised Falsehood: Jeremiah's Adversaries, in Accusing Him of Joining the Chaldeans Falsehood: Jeroboam's Wife, Feigning Herself to be Another Woman Falsehood: Joseph, in the Deception he Carried on With his Brothers Falsehood: Paul's Traducers, Falsely Accusing Him of Treason to Caesar Falsehood: Peter, in Denying Jesus Falsehood: Pharaoh, in Dealing Deceitfully With the Israelites Falsehood: Potiphar's Wife, in Falsely Accusing Joseph Falsehood: Princes of Israel, when They Went to Jeremiah for a Vision from the Lord Falsehood: Rahab, in Denying That the Spies Were in Her House Falsehood: Rebekah and Isaac, in the Conspiracy Against Esau Falsehood: Samaritans, in Their Efforts to Hinder the Rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem Falsehood: Sanballat in Trying to Obstruct the Rebuilding of Jerusalem Falsehood: Sisera, Who Instructed Jael to Mislead his Pursuers Falsehood: Stephen's Accusers, Who Falsely Accused Him of Blaspheming Moses and God Falsehood: The Amalekite Who Claimed to Have Killed Saul Falsehood: The Conspirators Against Naboth Falsehood: The Cretans are Always Liars, Evil Beasts, Slow Bellies Falsehood: The Disobedient Son, Who Promised to Work in the Vineyard, But did Not Falsehood: The Falsehood of Friendship to Absalom That David Put in the Mouth of Hushai Falsehood: The Old Prophet of Beth-El Who Misguided the Prophet of Judah Falsehood: The Roman Soldiers, Who Said the Disciples Stole the Body of Jesus Falsehood: The Wife of the Bahurimite Who Saved the Lives of Hushai's Messengers Falsehood: To the Angels, Denying Her Derisive Laugh of Unbelief Falsehood: Zedekiah, in Violating his Oath of Allegiance to Nebuchadnezzer The Gibeonites, Ambassadors, in the Deception Related Terms Nebuchadrez'zar (31 Occurrences) |
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