Samuel didn't choose Saul. Nor did Israel choose him at this time. Rather, God said, "I have appointed this man!" The Bible says of Saul: "And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy...and shalt be turned into another man" (10:6).
Indeed, Saul was transformed by God's touch on his life: "...God gave him another heart..." (verse 9). Then Samuel said something wonderful to him: "...God is with thee"(verse 7). In other words: "Go with confidence, Saul -- for God is with you!"
Here was a man appointed by God, moved upon by the Holy Spirit, gifted with a spirit of prophecy, destined by God to lead Israel -- and God was with him. What more wonderful things could be said about him?
And Saul started out right. For a while he lived his destiny, walking in the fear of God. He quickly won a great battle against the Ammonites. And the people came home praising God, saying: "...Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death. And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel"(11:12-13).
Saul was appointed king over Israel. Yet, one of the most tragic pictures in all of Scripture is when this man began to fall apart. He had walked in his destiny for only a short time -- yet God fully intended that Saul live out his days with the Lord's blessing. He had desired that Saul be remembered as the man who delivered Israel from the bondage of the Philistines. But Saul missed his destiny! He began to disintegrate, caving in to his need for human applause and acceptance. He made compromises to attain these things -- and he missed the plan God had for him.
It is so sad to see Saul toward the end of is life. As he faced one of Israel's greatest military battles, his heart smote him with fear. He ended up consulting with the evil witch of Endor! He told her, "...God is departed from me,and answereth me no more,neither by prophets, nor by dreams..." (28:15).
By Saul's own confession, God was no longer with him. What a chilling, frightful thought! A person can be called to a great, divine purpose, walking in God's blessing and anointing -- and then suddenly go off on a tangent, serving himself and ending up abandoned by God.
That is the picture of Saul here. This king ended up prostrating himself before a witch. And he died in shame -- forsaken by God. These words might easily have been written on his tombstone: "The man who missed his destiny."
