Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in the Bible. If you've been enjoying this series,

please write a review and let me know how this podcast has impacted your life. Welcome to the

epic adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love,

scandal, and murder. While most people know of David the myth, few know about

David the man. In this episode, we follow Saul in the battle. He and Jonathan march valiantly

against the United Philistine Horde and meet their inevitable doom. In episode 15, Saul visited

a witch to conjure the spirit of Samuel.

This spirit, whether it was Samuel or not, told Saul that this would be the end.

This episode is meant to give us mixed emotions.

King Saul has been one of the main antagonists in this series, but his trajectory is tragic,

and we can't help but pity his mental and emotional

decline. I challenge you to have the heart of David in this episode. Do not revel in the king's death,

mourn him and what his death means for the nation. He represents many people who for no fault of their

own are inappropriately elevated and worship.

Saul is in many ways a villain, but he's also a victim, a victim to the social and cultural pressures of leadership and the corruption of pride.

In order to acquaint ourselves with the tragedy of Saul, we will go back to his coronation as king.

Our preludes are typically told from the perspective of other characters in Scripture,

but this one goes right back to Saul's beginning when the skies opened up and damned his reign.

Saul's rise was quick and his decline was just as fast.

His character arc represents the inevitable rise and fall of every king. No matter how noble, how fierce in battle, or how wise

they are, all kings fall short of the glory of God. It is the destiny of every man to fail,

which is why the majesty of Christ is all the more glorious to us.

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