Our text captures the lowest point in Saul’s fall from grace to grass. In his desperation for guidance, he consulted with the witch at Endor. He needed direction so desperately and did not know where to turn. Even though he had previously put away all those who had a familiar spirit, like a dog, he returned to his vomit. As events later revealed, it was yet another step in the wrong direction with telling consequences. Saul’s bitter end is succinctly captured in the following words: “So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.” I Chronicles 10:13-14 NKJV

Envy is a snare, and if it is not conquered it will lead to a ruin.

Where exactly did Saul begin to miss it? Well, it began with disobedience. He disobeyed the Lord twice; first by performing the priest’s duty and secondly by not annihilating Amalek as God commanded. Saul compounded his trouble when he grew envious of his subordinate. After David took Goliath out of the way, the women sang in celebration. Innocently, they had sung that Saul killed his thousands, David killed his ten thousands. Saul was enraged to see another person honoured more than him. He spent the rest of his life chasing shadows, seeking how to eliminate David. This brings us to one of the highlights of our previous meditation. Envy is a snare, and if it is not conquered it will lead to a ruin.