Saul – The Giant of Pride
Scripture Focus: 1 Samuel 15:10–26
Theme: Pride turns obedience into self-promotion.
Key Lesson: God desires surrender more than success.
The Rise and Fall of a King
Saul was Israel’s first king. He began with humility and promise. When the prophet Samuel anointed him, Saul replied, “Am I not from the least of the tribes of Israel?” He started small in his own eyes, but that did not last.
Over time, the applause of people became louder than the voice of God. Saul’s victories went to his head, and pride began to take root.
Pride rarely begins with arrogance. It begins with forgetfulness. It grows when we forget who gave us what we have.
Saul forgot. The same man who once hid among the baggage to avoid the crown was now building monuments to himself.
God had given Saul clear instructions: destroy the Amalekites completely and spare nothing. Instead, Saul spared King Agag and kept the best livestock for himself, claiming he was saving them to offer as sacrifices to God.
But God is not impressed by sacrifice that comes from disobedience. He delights in hearts that obey even when no one else understands.
The Confrontation
When Samuel arrived, Saul greeted him cheerfully and said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”
But in the distance, the bleating of sheep and the lowing of cattle told another story.
Samuel asked, “Then what is this sound I hear?”
Saul quickly blamed others. “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we destroyed the rest.”
Notice his words: “the Lord your God.” Saul had already begun to distance himself from the One who appointed him.
Samuel replied, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
That statement cut through Saul’s pride like a sword.
The Nature of Pride
Pride is one of the most deceptive sins because it often hides beneath good intentions. It sounds spiritual but smells of self.
It makes us believe partial obedience is enough. It convinces us that our ideas are equal to God’s commands.
Pride says, “I know better.”
Humility says, “God knows best.”
Saul’s pride cost him the kingdom. God rejected him as king because his heart had turned inward.
When pride enters the heart, it dethrones God quietly. We may still speak His name, but we start building our own altars.
Pride loves control. It cannot stand surrender. And whenever pride rules, obedience fades.
A Personal Story: When I Wanted the Credit
I remember a time when God gave me a small assignment, something simple but meaningful. I obeyed, and things went well. People noticed. Compliments started coming in.
At first, I gave God the glory, but slowly, I began to crave the recognition. I started measuring success not by obedience but by applause.
One day, I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit whisper, “Whose name are you building right now, Mine or yours?”
Those words humbled me deeply. I realized how easy it is to do the right thing for the wrong reason. Pride is subtle. It creeps in quietly, but its goal is always to shift the spotlight.
From that moment on, I began praying that God would help me choose obedience over image. It is far better to be unseen and faithful than to be visible and disobedient.
The Mirror of Saul
Saul’s story is not just history. It is a mirror.
Every time we care more about being admired than being obedient, we are standing in Saul’s shadow. Every time we take credit for something God did, pride begins to grow.
Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
That was Saul’s downfall. He was more concerned with looking obedient than actually being obedient.
When Samuel told him that God had rejected him, Saul finally admitted his sin but still pleaded, “Please honor me before the elders of my people.” Even in repentance, he was worried about appearances.
Real humility is not about looking humble. It is about living surrendered.
Faith and Pride
Faith and pride cannot occupy the same heart. Pride depends on self; faith depends on God.
Pride says, “I can do this on my own.” Faith says, “I need God for every step.”
Pride hides in comparison, in success, even in ministry. It makes us believe our worth depends on what we achieve.
Faith reminds us that everything we have is a gift.
James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” That means pride does not just distance us from God; it puts us in opposition to Him.
The giant of pride falls when we stop trying to prove our worth and start resting in God’s grace.
When Giants Fall
Saul’s story ends tragically, but it does not have to be ours.
When we humble ourselves before God, He lifts us up. Pride builds towers; humility builds altars. Pride seeks recognition; humility seeks relationship.
God can restore what pride destroys, but we must first admit that we have nothing to prove and everything to surrender.
The giant of pride falls when we stop saying, “Look what I did,” and start saying, “Look what God has done.”
Every victory, every blessing, every opportunity is a chance to give glory back to Him.
Call to Action: Choose Humility Today
Take a few quiet moments to examine your heart.
Ask yourself, “Have I been seeking God’s approval or people’s applause?”
Write down one area where pride has crept in — maybe in your work, your relationships, or your ministry. Then pray over it.
Surrender that area back to God. Tell Him that His glory matters more than your reputation.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. It is shifting the focus from self to Savior.
Today, choose to walk in humility. Let God’s name be greater than your own.
A Reflection for You
Where has pride tried to take credit for what only God has done?
How can you practice humility in small ways this week?
What does it mean to truly obey God instead of simply performing for Him?
How can you remind yourself daily that everything you have comes from Him?
A Prayer for Humility
Father,
Thank You for every gift, opportunity, and blessing You have given me.
Forgive me for the times I have made Your work about me.
Search my heart and reveal the places where pride has taken root.
Teach me to walk humbly before You.
Help me to obey even when it costs my comfort or reputation.
Let my life point people to You and not to myself.
When I succeed, remind me that it is by Your grace alone.
When I am tempted to boast, help me to remember the cross.
Strip away anything that makes me dependent on self and fill me with a spirit of surrender.
Make me more like Jesus, who humbled Himself even unto death.
In His holy name I pray,
Amen.