Anointed but Insecure
The Sinkhole of the Soul
Well, church, good morning. How are we doing? I love to hear that. My name is Mike, and I’m one of the pastors here at the Well. I get the great privilege of continuing in a series we’ve been in for a few weeks called Monarchy. We’ve been looking at Israel’s first three kings and how they arrived at this season to begin with.
As you recall from our past weeks, we’ve been journeying through the story of a guy named Saul. In many ways, Saul was the picture-perfect king. Israel said, “Hey, God, we really want a king,” and God said, “No.” They insisted, and finally, God gave them exactly what they asked for. They picked the Webster’s Dictionary version of a king. Everything on the exterior that you thought you wanted, they got in Saul. But as we watch his life unfold, it becomes a tragic story of picking the wrong thing. Above the waterline, Saul had everything that seemed right and good. But underneath the surface, we see that although he reigned in Israel for forty years, he would go down as the guy who did not have a heart for the Lord. It’s devastating to see.
As I think about his life, a story comes to mind that I heard very early on in my Christian life. One of the first books I read, some thirty years ago, was by Gordon Macdonald called Ordering Your Private World. Macdonald tells the story of a group of people in Florida who woke up one morning to a horrific sight. Literally, on the street beneath their apartment complex, a gigantic hole had opened up in the ground. Lawn furniture, the street itself, and vehicles all collapsed into this hole. They recognized that they were next on the list for this complete demise.
Scientists tell us that sinkholes occur when the underlying surface erodes and can no longer support what is built on top of it. Suddenly, everything simply collapses because of that reality. The terrifying thing about sinkholes is that everything looks fine until it isn’t. It happens in a moment, but underneath, everything has been eroding for a long time. The author’s point was to say that just like in physical matters, our spiritual lives are the same. If we spend our time focusing on what is above the surface while neglecting what is below, there will be a point where the foundation can no longer sustain the structure.
If we could take a scope and look into the “underneath” of Saul’s life—the things no one else saw—we would see the symptoms and cracks that eventually caused his collapse. On the exterior, everything looks fine, but internally, it’s simply not. I want you to keep that word picture on the back burner as we journey through his story. What are the things in Saul’s life that lead to his demise? It might not happen today or tomorrow, but down the road, those cracks lead to a total collapse.
The Picture-Perfect King
We met Saul formally in 1 Samuel chapter 9. He has a very impressive beginning. We hear about his lineage and his physical stature.
1 Samuel 9:1-2 (NASB)
Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome [man], and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.
His father, Kish, is called a mighty man of valor. He was wealthy and came from an impressive lineage. Not only that, but he’s a Benjamite, a clan known for being battle-hardened warriors. When Israel told Samuel the prophet they wanted a king, they were very clear about their reasons.
1 Samuel 8:20 (NASB)
that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.’
They wanted a king who would fight their battles, and they picked a guy who was literally head and shoulders taller than everyone else. Beyond his looks, Saul initially appears to be a very likable guy. If I were a dad raising daughters, I’d look at this guy and think, “I’d let him date my daughter.” He’s humble and respectful. He’s the type of guy who gives a firm handshake, looks you in the eye, and says, “Yes, sir” and “No, ma’am.”
We see this character when Saul and his servant are on a mission to find his father’s lost donkeys. When they can’t find them, the servant suggests visiting Samuel the seer for help. Saul’s response shows his integrity.
1 Samuel 9:7 (NASB)
Then Saul said to his servant, ‘But behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our sack and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?’
He recognizes that Samuel is a well-respected man of God, and he doesn’t want to show up empty-handed. It would be like showing up to a dinner party without a dessert or a gift for the host; he doesn’t want to be dishonoring. These are great qualities.
Anointed for a Purpose
While Saul is on his way, God speaks directly to Samuel and tells him that Saul is the one.
1 Samuel 9:15-17 (NASB)
Now a day before Saul’s coming, the LORD had revealed [this] to Samuel saying, ‘About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over My people Israel; and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people, because their cry has come to Me.’ When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, ‘Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall rule over My people.’
God whispers to Samuel, “This is my guy.” Samuel then invites Saul to a meal, offers him a place to stay, and begins to preview the plans God has for his life. Samuel speaks to him with such honor that Saul is actually taken aback.
1 Samuel 9:21 (NASB)
Saul replied, ‘Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?’
Saul shows genuine humility here. He sees himself as a nobody from an insignificant family in the smallest tribe. But Saul is about to find out exactly why Samuel is honoring him. In chapter 10, Samuel performs a private ceremony.
1 Samuel 10:1 (NASB)
Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, ’Has not the LORD anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?
Samuel anoints him, setting him aside for God’s purposes. To confirm that these words are truly from the Lord, Samuel predicts three specific things that will happen to Saul: he will find the donkeys, he will be given bread by strangers, and he will join a group of prophets and be changed.
1 Samuel 10:6-7 (NASB)
’Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. ’It shall be when these signs come to you, do for yourself what the occasion requires, for God is with you.
Samuel tells him he will receive a supernatural enablement from the Holy Spirit. But he also makes it clear that Saul isn’t a “lone ranger.” He is to work in partnership with the prophet.
1 Samuel 10:8 (NASB)
‘And you shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings. You shall wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you should do.’
God baked accountability into the system. Saul has the title of King, but he must submit to and work alongside the godly man of the day. You never get the offices of prophet, priest, and king in one person—except for Jesus. For everyone else, that’s too much power for one individual. As long as Saul stays humble and submits to this partnership, things will go well. And just as Samuel predicted, everything comes true.
1 Samuel 10:9-10 (NASB)
Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day. When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them.
A Deep Dive into the Spirit
I want to pause here for a moment and do a bit of a deep dive into what it means that the Spirit “came upon” Saul. Theologians call this pneumatology—the study of the Holy Spirit. The way the Spirit interacted with Old Testament saints is very different from how He interacts with us as New Testament believers.
First, the Holy Spirit’s actions in the Old Testament were selective and temporary. During the time of the Judges, the Spirit would come upon people like Gideon or Samson for a specific task or a moment, and then depart. This is why David later prays, “Take not your Holy Spirit from me.” That seems like an odd prayer for us, but for them, the Spirit’s presence wasn’t necessarily permanent.
Second, empowerment does not equal God’s pleasure. This is a challenging concept. We see people like Samson or Balaam operating in the power of the Spirit while doing things that are morally questionable. God isn’t causing them to sin, but He is using them for His purposes. Just because someone is “used by God” doesn’t mean God is delighted with their character.
Third, we shouldn’t confuse this empowerment with salvation. When the Bible says God “changed Saul’s heart,” it’s not necessarily a conversion story in the way we think of it. It’s a supernatural enabling for service.
As New Testament believers, we have something far better. The Spirit is no longer selective or temporary; He indwells every believer permanently. We are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Jesus promised a Helper who would be with us forever. Saul’s experience was powerful, but your experience of the indwelling Spirit is a deeper, more permanent reality.
Success and the Hidden Cracks
After this private anointing, Saul is publicly presented to the people. But when the big moment arrives, Saul is nowhere to be found.
1 Samuel 10:21-22 (NASB)
Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they looked for him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired further of the LORD, ‘Has the man come here yet?’ So the LORD said, ‘Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.’
Whether out of fear or genuine humility, Saul is found hiding in the baggage. They drag him out, and the people are thrilled.
1 Samuel 10:24 (NASB)
Samuel said to all the people, ‘Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? Surely there is no one like him among all the people.’ So all the people shouted and said, ‘[Long] live the king!’
Most of the people shout, “Long live the king!” However, not everyone is a fan. Some “worthless men” despise him and question his ability to lead.
1 Samuel 10:27 (NASB)
But certain worthless men said, ‘How can this one deliver us?’ And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent.
Saul holds his tongue. He doesn’t revile when reviled. It’s a beautiful quality. At this point, Saul has rocket-ship success. He goes from a nobody looking for donkeys to the King of Israel. And he immediately proves his worth in battle when Nahash the Ammonite (whose name literally means “snake”) threatens the city of Jabesh Gilead.
1 Samuel 11:1-2 (NASB)
Now Nahash the Ammonite came up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, ‘Make a covenant with us and we will serve you.’ But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, ‘I will make [it] with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, thus I will make it a reproach on all Israel.’
Nahash offers a “covenant” where he gouges out everyone’s right eye. When Saul hears this, the Spirit of God comes upon him mightily.
1 Samuel 11:6 (NASB)
Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he became very angry.
Saul rallies the nation with a pretty graphic message involving pieces of oxen, and 330,000 men show up to fight.
1 Samuel 11:7 (NASB)
He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent [them] throughout the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, ‘Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.’ Then the dread of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
Saul leads them not just as a warrior, but as a general with a strategy. They strike down the Ammonites from dawn until the heat of the day, completely obliterating the enemy.
1 Samuel 11:11 (NASB)
The next morning Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
This is Saul’s bright, shining moment. The people celebrate, feeling justified in their choice for a king. They even want to kill the men who originally doubted Saul, but Saul shows incredible maturity.
1 Samuel 11:13 (NASB)
But Saul said, ‘Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has accomplished deliverance in Israel.’
He gives the glory to God and shows mercy to his critics. At the end of chapter 11, the kingdom is renewed, and everyone is rejoicing.
1 Samuel 11:14-15 (NASB)
Then Samuel said to the people, ‘Come and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.’ So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
Cultivating the Inner World
Everything looks great above the surface. Saul is respectful, humble, and successful. But as we know, the vast majority of his reign will be marked by poor leadership. What went wrong? What was lurking underneath the surface?
First, his responsibility exceeded his character. Saul experienced overnight success, but his internal growth couldn’t keep up with his external promotion. He was like lighter fluid—he burned hot and fast, but he didn’t have the substance to last. In Texas, we’d say he was “all hat and no cattle.” Outward power will always reveal the lack of inner resources.
Second, he got “too big for his britches.” That early humility didn’t last. He began to disregard God’s hand and became prideful. Because he was the king, no one felt they could rebuke him. He stopped owning his junk and started pointing fingers at everyone else.
Finally, he stopped cultivating his inner world. Saul was unwilling to do the work below the waterline. Brad often calls this “the lonely work”—the things you do to cultivate your relationship with God that nobody else sees. You don’t get medals for it, but it sustains everything else. Saul worked hard as a king, but he failed to cultivate his soul. One day, the sinkhole opened, and everything collapsed.
There’s a temptation to look at Saul and just say, “Don’t be like Saul.” That’s not a bad lesson, but the deeper truth is that there is a whole lot of Saul in all of us. Walking in the flesh is easy; walking in the Spirit is often weird, awkward, and new. Even as people indwelt by the Spirit, we have tendencies to pursue things that don’t honor God. Trying harder isn’t the answer—abiding is.
Are you cultivating your inner person through God’s Word, His Spirit, and His people? We have the Spirit inside of us, and we get to enjoy His slow, intentional work over the long haul. He promises to lead us into all truth if we will stay open to Him.
Father, thank you for these stories. May they drive us to You. We are mindful that, like Saul, we can do nothing apart from Your work in our lives. We cannot live the Christian life without the empowerment of Your Spirit. There is a constant battle between our old nature and the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Help us to be those who choose to walk in the Spirit, to acknowledge Your power, and to deny the works of the flesh. Help us in this journey as we submit to You. We love You, and we thank You for Christ. In His name we pray, amen.