In this episode of Don’t Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study 1 Samuel 8–15 and explore the rise and fall of Israel’s first king, Saul. What begins as a story about Israel asking for a king quickly becomes a deeper conversation about who truly sits on the throne of our hearts. As the people look to be “like all the other nations,” Dave and Grace reflect on the many things we allow to rule our lives and invite us to consider whether we are letting Jesus be the King who leads, guides, and fights our battles. The episode highlights the early life of Saul and the qualities that made him such a promising leader. Saul is introduced as humble, diligent, and willing to serve, even struggling to see the potential that others saw in him. Through Samuel’s guidance, Saul learns that God often calls people before they feel ready and then provides the experiences, miracles, and grace needed to prepare them for the work ahead. Dave and Grace emphasize that one of God’s greatest gifts is His ability to see who we can become, even when we cannot yet see it ourselves. As Saul is anointed king, the Lord gives him a new heart and begins transforming him into a different person. The hosts focus on the power of spiritual change, teaching that God’s greatest miracles are often not external signs but transformed hearts. Saul’s story becomes a reminder that growth is a process of becoming and that God can shape ordinary people into something far greater than they imagined as they place themselves in positions where His Spirit can work within them. The latter part of the episode examines Saul’s gradual decline and the lessons his story teaches about obedience, trust, and discipleship. As Saul begins caring more about the approval of others than the voice of God, his choices slowly lead him away from the path the Lord intended for him. Dave and Grace remind listeners that God desires more than outward religious actions or checked boxes. He wants a genuine relationship built on listening, trust, and love. Even amid Saul’s failures, the episode highlights a God who continues to guide, warn, correct, and redeem, never giving up on His children and always working to help them become better than they are today. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 05:44 Desire for leadership in chaos 08:57 Choosing a spiritual leader 12:18 Introducing Israel's first king, Saul 13:13 Complexity of biblical characters 18:07 Saul's humble beginnings 20:52 Anointing with oil in Old Testament 24:36 Saul's prophetic signs fulfilled 28:43 Saul's spiritual journey highlights 30:54 Maintaining resilience and faith 35:37 Samuel's lesson on obedience 37:47 Understanding meaningful relationships 40:42 Choosing and God's guidance 43:15 Second king symbolizes perseverance Sign up for the Don’t Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don’t Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week’s newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven’t had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don’t Miss This Study Facebook: Don’t Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app