The Tanakh, as it stands as the Hebrew biblical canon, is overwhelmed with characters that resemble and act out various human complexities. Indeed, one must look no further than the texts encompassed by the Torah and Nevi’im to find personalities riddled with discontent: From Adam and Eve’s pervasive curiosity with greater knowledge, Lot’s wife looking back after fleeing Solom, or Joseph’s brother’s violent jealousy; all characters bring forth some attribute that ultimately leads towards their downfall. Further, although varying in context and motivations, all share one unifying characteristic: The defiance of God, or God’s direct Word, in pursuit of their own self interest. No doubt all former characters understood the implications of their…show more content… One cannot conclusively say that this was out of disregard for God’s divinity – Saul in fact may a time worked to please God – but rather a lack of awareness of his own actions. For instance, Saul was appointed King to lead the Israelites as a military power, to overwhelm the Ammonites. With “the Lord’s anointment (1 Sam 10:1),” Saul divided the troops, attacking and overwhelming the Ammonites with military prowess. One can clearly see that the Lord had told him to fulfill an action, and Saul went forth with complete competence. Further, he displays a deep-seeded respect for God and his relationship with both the Lord and the Israelites, when stating after the fight, “No man shall be put to death this day! For this day the Lord has brought victory to Israel (1 Sam 11: 13).” This is, of key importance, the primary example of Saul recognizing the Lord’s divinity, and acting exactly as the Lord had commanded. Saul’s obedient actions, however, are compromised when he makes an unlawful sacrifice after Samuel explicitly stated, “I will come down to you to present burnt offerings and offer sacrifices of well-being. Wait seven says until I come to you and instruct you what you are to do next” (1 Sam 10:8).” Consequently, Samuel prematurely warns Saul of demise:
You acted foolishly in not keeping the commandments that the Lord your God laid upon you! Otherwise the Lord would have…show more content… Consequently, the Spirit of the Lord, which had been leading him throughout his headship, left Saul’s presence: “Now the spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord began to terrify him (1 Sam 16: 14).” This seems to be the final stage in Saul’s attempt to lead the Israelites nobly, showing a discreet transition from a leader to a failed king. Indeed, Saul’s mortality shines brightest after the Philistines introduce Goliath, to which Saul and the Israelites were “dismayed and terror-stricken (1 Sam 17: 11).” It is, appropriately, David who defeats goliath, symbolically representing the “passing of kingship” from one entity to the other. Further, it is the “evil spirit from the Lord” that juxtaposes Saul’s former character; once a leader with altruistic intentions – although poor execution – Saul is now tortured with jealousy over David’s new found celebration. And indeed, Saul acts on this new found malice, “[realizing] that the Lord was with David…growing much more afraid of David; and Saul was Dacid’s enemy every after (1 Sam 18: 28-29),” throwing a spear in his direction, and later plotting against David (1 Sam 18: 10-12).” This is the most evident example of Saul’s demise, as it transition towards David’s
