1 Samuel 9:21  Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?” (NLT)

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Saul was tall and handsome and had darker skin than your average Scandinavian. Tall, dark, and handsome opens doors closed to those of lesser appearance. In Saul’s case, it gets even better than this. Check out verse 21:

Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?”

Tall, dark, handsome, and humble: You can’t beat that combination. 

Flip the page to the next chapter and notice 10:26 and 27:

When Saul returned to his home at Gibeah, a group of men whose hearts God had touched went with him. But there were some scoundrels who complained, “How can this man save us?” And they scorned him and refused to bring him gifts. But Saul ignored them. 

Saul chose to ignore those who scorned him. Write that down in your heart and mind. There will always be people who scorn you, who look down on you, who consider you less than who and whose you are. Ignore them. 

The next chapter tells us about a neighboring ruler who was oppressing Israel. He gouged out the men’s right eyes. When Saul heard about this, he could not ignore it. Verse 6 gives us two important insights.

Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry.

Insight #1: Let the Spirit of God lead you into appropriate emotions.
Insight #2: Let the Spirit of God teach you how to respond to injustice. 

Saul ignored personal insults, but he could not ignore oppression and disgrace. 

Saul and his army rescued those who were under threat of further oppression. Then his men wanted to punish those who previously treated Saul with scorn. Again, Saul chose the higher path. Look at 11:13:

But Saul replied, “No one will be executed today, for today the Lord has rescued Israel!”

Retaliation may be the way of all the world, but it is not the way of the LORD of Heaven and Earth. 

Saul looked like a king, led like a king, and responded like a king. It was a good start. Most of us know the rest of the story. Like so many other leaders, Saul did not finish well. The next chapters tell the story of his downward progression. Let’s learn Saul’s good lessons and take them to heart. Let’s learn Saul’s bad lessons and create alternate pathways to stay on the right side of life-giving leadership. 

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I will lead myself and others with humility and dependence on the Spirit of God.

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Our Father, empower me to learn the lessons of Saul’s life. Make me humble and forbearing. Give me an ever-greater sensitivity to what you say to me in each moment and every decision. Amen.