When You Were Little in Your Own Eyes

When You Were Little in Your Own Eyes

“So Samuel said, ‘When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel?’” 1 Sam. 15:17.

Saul had a good beginning. It was as good a beginning as anyone could have. He was little in his own eyes, and in this state he was anointed to be king, because God was with him.

After Samuel had anointed him to be king, Saul went home to Gibeah, and the men whose hearts God had touched followed him. 1 Sam. 10:26. What a future he could have had if he had remained little in his own eyes and been obedient and faithful in everything.

Saul showed a good attitude in his first battle against the Ammonites. The king of the Ammonites, Nahash, wanted to bring reproach on all Israel by putting out their right eyes. When Saul heard this, the Spirit of God came upon him and his anger was greatly aroused. He arose early in the morning, and together with the men of Israel, he slew the Ammonites. After the battle had been won, the people went to Samuel and said, “Who is he who said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.’ But Saul said, ‘Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel.’ Then Samuel said to the people, ‘Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.’” 1 Sam. 11. Samuel saw Saul’s good attitude when he would not take vengeance on his enemies.

Up to this point Saul had gone straight ahead, but he had already reached his pinnacle. In his next battle, against the Philistines, Saul’s faith was tried, and he failed. Consequently, the kingdom was taken away from him. Instead of waiting on the Lord, he began to think for himself. If he had not been afraid but had believed God and had done according to what Samuel had said, his kingdom would have been established forever. Now the Lord had to find another man after His own heart. 1 Sam. 13:11-14.

Then Samuel commanded Saul from the Lord that he should destroy the Amalekites with all their possessions. But Saul spared Agag and the best of the cattle, contrary to the Lord’s command. Saul had now become conceited, and early next morning Samuel discovered that he was setting up a monument to himself on Mount Carmel. Samuel said to him that his rebellion was no better than the sin of witchcraft, and because he had rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord had rejected him, so that he would no longer be king over Israel. Even though Saul asked for forgiveness, he could not get his kingdom back.

After this, David was anointed to be king over Israel. Saul envied David and constantly viewed him with an evil eye. He hated and persecuted him in order to take his life. But David’s house grew stronger and stronger, whereas Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.

Saul and David have been given to us as examples. In Christ we have been called to be kings, and we can either lose our kingship or confirm it with our life for all eternity. Unfortunately, there are many who share Saul’s fate. They have a good beginning by being little in their own eyes and waiting on the Lord. However, it really takes something to be preserved in true humility when things are going well and God blesses. It usually begins by receiving honor for what one has done and “setting up a monument” every time one does something, just like Saul did.

The Lord paid close attention to Saul, and as soon as there was guile in his attitude, his kingdom was taken away from him. Of course he brought burnt offerings and sacrifices, but the Lord was more pleased with obedience and paying attention to His voice.

The Lord is no less exact now. We also have many trials of faith in our lives, and through it all the Lord pays close attention to our attitude. Of course, we can ask to have our sin forgiven after we have been disobedient (this corresponds to the burnt offerings and sacrifices in the old covenant). yet the Lord is more pleased if we are obedient and pay attention to His voice.

Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice. And I know them, and they follow Me.” Only these people become kings and priests forever. We must hear and follow. This applies to everything we undertake throughout our life. We must not only be faithful in a few trials, like Saul was, but we must show love and faithfulness in all situations, until the very end. We will receive the crown of life if we are faithful unto death!

When Saul was little in his own eyes, he was the head of Israel and was anointed to be king. We are only acceptable in God’s eyes in this humble state. Then He will exalt us to be kings and princes. Haughty eyes are an abomination to the Lord.

We read often about the kings of Israel who feared God, and yet the high places were not torn down. Most of the people who serve God in these days make sure that these high places are maintained. One may have attained to a certain level in the development of one’s giftedness, and with this as a foundation one worships idols in great style. It can be in one’s oratorical giftedness, in song or music, or in any kind of service for God. However, everything that is done on these high places burns up like hay, stubble, and straw.

David remained humble until the end, and his house grew stronger and stronger. The glory of his house will shine forever, with Jesus Christ of the seed of David the Most Glorious One.

It wasn’t only that Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker, but his whole house perished.

Jesus said, “Watch and pray!” We must really do this if we are to remain standing.