Saul’s story begins with telling omissions. Hunting his father’s lost donkeys, he has never heard of Samuel until a servant suggests, There is a man of God in this city (1 Samuel 9). Even then the servant must supply a coin for Samuel’s fee. Saul’s initial humility—Am I not a Benjamite, the least of the tribes?—soon hardens into pride. Samuel later reminds him, “When you were little in your own eyes, God made you head of the tribes.” Ignorance joined to arrogance breeds disaster. Saul prophesies only when among prophets, vows rash curses and finally seeks guidance from a witch at Endor. Contrast David: while Saul cannot recover donkeys, young David risks his life to snatch lambs from lion and bear—an early sign of the shepherd-king who will rescue Israel and speak God’s word to the end. Saul, like the first man, slips into darkness. David, like the Second Man, triumphs through knowledge and humility.
