Failure in Disobedience

Our Disciple reading for this week (and next -- no class this Sunday, so I get to spread out the reading over two weeks) is from the books of Samuel. I just finished the chapters about Saul yesterday.

Saul was a pitiful character, although I don't imagine he would like that characterization at all. He was anointed by a prophet/judge who didn't believe he should be king, and was only doing it because God had commanded it. Samuel promises to meet him, and perform sacrifices before a battle. He's later, so Saul, whose army is leaving, takes matters into his own hands, and performs the sacrifices himself. Such a no-no. In addition, later, when commanded to defeat the Amelekites, and let no one live, he does the first, but not the second. He captures the king and takes some of the animals.

His disobedience costs him his kingship. Samuel goes forth at the Lord's command and anoints David. David ends up in Saul's palace and then as his warrior.

I think Saul is threatened by David. His fear leads him to violent acts against him. His son, Jonathon and his daughter Michal both choose David over their father. None of this would serve to make him feel more secure.

The author of the notes in my bible says that this is a common deuteronomic (is that a word?) theme -- victory in righteousness but failure in disobedience.