The Cost of Disobedience: Saul's Kingdom Slips Away

By Gabi Bemis

“Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul was seated, spear in hand, under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing at his side. He said to them, ‘Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.’ But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, ‘I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek son of Ahitub at Nob. Ahimelek inquired of the Lord for him; he also gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.’ Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelek son of Ahitub and all the men of his family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. Saul said, ‘Listen now, son of Ahitub.’ ‘Yes, my lord,’ he answered. Saul said to him, ‘Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?’ Ahimelek answered the king, ‘Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.’ But the king said, ‘You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.’ Then the king ordered the guards at his side: ‘Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.’ But the king’s officials were unwilling to raise a hand to strike the priests of the Lord. The king then ordered Doeg, ‘You turn and strike down the priests.’ So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.” —1 Samuel 22:6–19 (NIV)

Today’s passage details the demise and fall of Saul. Once the chosen king, he now seeks to maintain control of his kingdom at all costs—even murdering innocent lives.

This passage marks a critical turning point in Saul’s reign, showing the devastating consequences of insecurity, emotional instability, and, above all, separation from God.

Saul’s paranoia manifests when he begins to see David, his most loyal servant, as an existential threat to his identity and position. He spirals into fear, obsessively fixating on David, which blinds him to reality. He even accuses his own men of conspiracy, showcasing his deep distrust of anyone he perceives as a threat. Moreover, his emotional instability is evident in his reaction to Ahimelech’s aid to David. Instead of exhibiting wisdom or seeking God’s counsel, he orders the slaughter of 85 priests and the destruction of Nob, the priestly city.

This story may seem like an extreme account of one man’s descent into madness, but the underlying motivations that led Saul to this destructive place offer valuable lessons for us today. At his core, Saul trusted in himself and was deeply insecure. Insecurity stems from a lack of confidence in oneself and, more importantly, a lack of trust in God. We see this when Saul listens to the people and offers a sacrifice ahead of Samuel, even though he was commanded to wait. He needed the approval of others and valued it above obedience to God.

The antidote to insecurity is not self-confidence but rather confidence in God. It was God who called Saul to be king, and if Saul had trusted Him, he would have found security in God’s provision.

Saul was also consumed by jealousy. Seeing David receive applause infuriated him, stirring up anger and resentment. David had something Saul desperately wanted—popularity, fame, and renown. His jealousy and insecurity worked together to bring about his downfall, as his fear of losing the kingdom drove him to madness. Likewise, jealousy can blind us, making us forget that everything we have—our talents, gifts, calling, and family—comes from God. When we’re secure in who we are and what God has given us, we don’t need to envy others. Instead, we can faithfully serve where He’s placed us, trusting He’ll provide for our needs.

Finally, Saul lived apart from God’s Spirit. At one point in his life, Saul was led by God’s Spirit to prophesy and lead Israel to victory. However, when God’s Spirit departed from him, he became plagued by torment. This is perhaps the greatest warning of Saul’s story: Living apart from God’s Spirit leads to striving, unchecked sin, and, ultimately, downfall. We cannot afford to live without the daily presence of God.

May we be people who place our trust solely in God rather than our own efforts, who guard our hearts against fear, envy, and jealousy, and who make no provision for sin to take root. Above all, may we commit to walking in the Spirit, for “the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing” (John 6:63 NIV).

Pause: In what ways are you carrying insecurity, jealousy, or fear in your heart?

Practice: Confess these areas to a trusted friend, mentor, or mature believer and repent before God.

Pray: Jesus, Your blood has given me victory over sin, and by the power of Your Spirit, I can walk in freedom. Forgive me for the times I’ve trusted in myself and desired the approval of others more than Yours. Forgive me for the times I’ve coveted what You gave others, questioning in my heart why You’ve withheld it from me. Make my heart rejoice in You; make me secure in my identity in You. Remind me, Holy Spirit, of who I am in Christ and the riches I’ve been given. Reveal to me my calling and purpose, and help me to walk faithfully in what You’ve asked of me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.