Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 2:21–24

Introduction

A. There are no sadder tales among the tragedies of Shakespeare as there are in the stories of Jephthah (Judges 11), Samson (Judges 16), and others that are told in the Bible.

B. There are few stories so tragic as that of Israel’s first king, Saul.

Discussion

I. Saul’s years in public life began well but ended badly.

A. God brought Saul to the throne from very humble origins (1 Samuel 9:21; 10:22; 15:17).

B. Saul’s tragic flaws were jealousy (1 Samuel 18:7–10) and a spiritual hearing problem (14:19; 15:13–14, 24, 26).

C. Saul’s end was as tragic as his beginning was glorious (1 Samuel 28:6, 18–19; 31:1–11; 2 Samuel 2:10; 4:1–8).

II. We can avoid the kind of tragedy that befell Saul.

A. We should beware of envy (Proverbs 14:30; James 3:16).

B. Unlike Saul, we must learn to listen to God and also to those who have our interest at heart (cf. 1 Samuel 20:32–33).

C. At the same time, there are some voices we should learn to ignore (1 Samuel 24:9).

D. We may all experience tragedies in our lifetimes, but our lives are guaranteed to result in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).

Conclusion

A. When Saul found himself wounded and surrounded by the enemy, he may have wondered how it ever came to this, but it was the inevitable consequence of the choices he had made.

B. No matter what life may hold, the life of a faithful Christian is a guaranteed success, because we are on the winning side.