When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them. And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.
(1 Samuel 14:47-52 ESV)
A few things strike me about this summary of Saul's reign as King over Israel. The very first just hit me. Saul took the kingship. He forgot he had been given it, and that God was to remain King. When we forget all God gives to us, and begin to see ourselves as king, we're headed for trouble. Secondly, though Saul is just starting his reign, there is already a summary. In other words, he is so far off track that God is looking for someone else. That is confirmed by the introduction here of key players in the transition of power to the next king. Finally, Saul never had peace in his life; it was always war. As a fearful man he surrounded himself with fighters. He never had peace. We can have all the power in the world, but not have peace. Which do we really need and want?
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