Part 6 of 12 / Israel's First Kings: Saul And David
- Chris Houser
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
Introduction: From Theocracy
To Monarchy
For centuries, Israel was a theocracy, God Himself was Israel's King. But as the chaos of the Judges worsened, the people demanded a human king "like all the other nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). Though this desire revealed a lack of trust in God, He allowed it and appointed Israel's first kings.
This week, we'll study the lives of Saul and David, two very different rulers whose reigns shaped Israel's destiny.
Key Scriptures
1 Samuel 8:4-7
- Israel Asks For A King
1 Samuel 9-10
- Saul Anointed As King
1 Samuel 15:22-23
- Saul's Disobedience And Rejection
1 Samuel 16:7
- David Chosen By God
2 Samuel 7:12-16
- David And Goliath
2 Samuel 7:12-16
- God's Covenant With David
Saul: The People's King
Saul was tall, impressive, and outwardly fit for leadership. But inwardly, he lacked obedience and humility. His reign began with promise but quickly unraveled.
Impatience: offering sacrifice without Samuel - 1 Samuel 13
Disobedience: sparing King Agag and plunder - 1 Samuel 15
Jealousy: persecuting David instead of trusting God - 1 Samuel 18-20
The Lesson: leadership without obedience leads to downfall; God values obedience over sacrifice.
David - The Shepherd King
When Saul was rejected, God raised up David, a young shepherd from Bethlehem. Unlike Saul, David's selection wasn't based on appearance but on his heart. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7
David's faith was evidence when he defeated Goliath with a sling and a stone, trusting in the Lord's strength. His reign brought unity, military victories, and the establishment of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
The Lesson: God delights in using humble servants who trust in Him fully.
The Davidic Covenant
Aspect: Saul
Selection: Chosen For Appearance (1 Samuel 9:2)
Obedience: Rejected God's Command (1 Samuel 13 and 1 Samuel 15)
Character: Proud, Insecure, Jealous (1 Samuel 18)
Legacy: Kingdom Torn From Him (1 Samuel 15:27-28)
Aspect: David
Selection: Chosen For Heart Posture (1 Samuel 16:7)
Obedience: Repented When Confronted (2 Samuel 12)
Character: Humble, Worshipful, Dependent On God (2 Samuel 6)
Legacy: Dynasty Promised Forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16)
The Lesson: Outward strength fades, but a heart after God will last forever.
Application
Don't seek leadership the world's way, seek it God's way.
When confronted with sin, be like David, repent and don't resist.
Remember that Christ, the greater Son of David, is our eternal King.
Reflection Questions
Why do you think Israel wanted a king "like the nations"? Do we sometimes do the same?
What can we learn from Saul's mistakes about obedience and pride?
Why was David called "a man after God's own heart" despite his sins?
How does the Davidic Covenant point us to Christ?
Closing Prayer
Lord, help us to learn from Saul's failures and David's faith. Give us a heart that seeks after You above all else. Teach us to obey quickly, repent humbly, and trust you fully. Thank You for Jesus, the Son of David, who reigns as our Eternal King. In His Name, Amen.
SNEAK PEEK / Week 7
In Week 7, we will see how David's son Solomon brought Israel into an age of wisdom and glory, yet his compromises sowed the seeds of division that split the kingdom of Israel in two.
Tune Next Week for Week 7: Solmon And The Divided Kingdom
Don't miss next week!
Until We Meet Again ~ Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!
