1 Samuel 15:12  Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.” (NIV)

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If someone wants to build a monument in your honor, it should not be you. 

It takes a lot of arrogance to reach the point where you want to build a monument to yourself. Saul apparently really liked himself. Maybe he should have checked in with God before he built the monument. The verse right before this one could have provided perspective that would have changed the course of events. God said,

“I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” 

I guess you could say this was a monumental failure. 

This was followed by another monumental failure, which we read about as we go down the page. Take a look at verse 22 for perspective. 

But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
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Turn the page to the next chapter, and you see the replacement for “Saul the Tall”. By comparison, David was shorter in stature but bigger in heart and more responsible in obedience. Listen to verses 12 and 13:

So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

David glowed with health. He was handsome. And when Samuel anointed him, “the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him.” Pair this description with what happens in chapter 17, and David never had to worry about building a monument to himself. 

There’s a lesson here for all of us. How would you put it in your words? Here’s how I put it in mine. 

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I will focus my life on honoring God, doing what he says, and leave it to him to decide what kind of applause I receive. 

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Our Father, every good thing in my life has come from your hand. Every good thing I have ever done has been empowered by your presence. I want everyone to see how good you are. I want every person I know and everyone I’ll ever meet to exalt you and you alone. Amen.