1. “God Is Departed From Me” The Sad Story of Saul’s Downfall

2. Headed For A Wreck? It is not pleasant to speak of, but life is full of wrecks (1 Tim. 1:19) The story of Saul is one of great tragedy, a great wreck … from honor (1 Sam. 9:1-2; 10:23-24) to humiliation (1 Sam. 28:20; 31:1-10) Consider the downward spiral of a man whom God would one day leave (1 Sam. 28:15)

3. The Tragic Story of Saul His first step away from God was his impatience under trial; wanted God’s help without God’s rules; thought expediency could set aside principle (1 Sam. 13:8-14) His second step away from God was his self-willed disobedience; pressured into partial obedience; justified himself (1 Sam. 15:15-23; see 12:6-25) His third step away from God was his rejection of loyal friends; ignored Samuel (1 Sam. 15:11, 35) and jealously attacked David (1 Sam. 18:6-21)

4. The Tragic Story of Saul His fourth step away from God was his irrational behavior; attacked his own son (1 Sam. 20:30-34) His final step away from God was his hypocritical allegiance; returned to what he once shunned: God, the witch, Samuel (1 Sam. 28:3-19).

5. What Have We Learned? Saul could have been like Samuel (prayerful, godly), David (a man after God’s own heart), or Jonathan (a loving, loyal friend) The story of Saul is a warning concerning the downward spiral of the soul; a series of gradual changes for the worse Life has a way of testing us, especially when we are elevated and given privilege – Saul went from the field to the throne

6. What Have We Learned? When we leave God, he leaves us (Prov. 1:24-33) God will “give up” and “give over” men who do not want him (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28) Some men grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Tim. 3:13) We reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7-8) Let us live like another Saul (2 Tim. 4:7)