1st Samuel 13:13-14

You can't view this passage without reading what went on in the preceding chapters. Remember, God was already irked that the Jews wanted a king. Saul was that king, but he had his doubts. Remember, when it came time to present Saul to the kingdom, he hid well enough that he couldn't be found and God had to tell Samuel where he hiding. (end of chp 10)

Then, just as Saul was barely getting used to being king (just one year) an enemy had to go and start a war(really, Israel instigated it with an attack on the Phillistine's garrison). Saul had a choice. Wait on Samuel or go on and get ready to to fight (and that meant a sacrifice).

What he chose shows where his faith was. He didn't really have much. I can't say he didn't have any, but what he had was not enough to sustain him under the stress of being king. He didn't trust God to provide him with the understanding and patience that a good ruler must have. So at the first sign of trouble, Saul caved to his own ideas rather than waiting for the Word of God, through Samuel.

Was God surprised? No. Personally I believe God chose Saul intentionally. The people of Isreal needed to understand what their choice had wrought. They needed to suffer the consequences of what they had decided. They needed to understand that their actions would have an effect on the king.

Where does that leave Saul? Exactly in the same place we find ourselves. Saul's earthly consequence was that his family line was removed from Christ's family tree. His spiritual consequence, however, is God's own. We aren't told whether Saul ever fully surrendered to God's will. My opinion is that Saul never gave over control of his life (in spite of the consequence that his line wouldn't inherit the crown after him). He could have. God always remains faithful to forgive. Just Saul never seemed too. But we don't know.

That might be a good thing though. Keeps us from getting to complacent.

 

Absolutely Saul had the choice and God would have responded as well to Saul following the Law (which had been in place for 400 or so years if I remember correctly) as He did to Saul choosing to break the Law.

What is important to note is what God was looking for "a man after his own heart". Remember, later on David is described in this manner. Why not Saul? Because evidently Saul only played lip service to trusting God.

Only a Calvinist would have a problem with God giving man a choice and then responding/reacting to the choice the man made.

 

For us who dwell in the temporal state right now, yes, we can think it was possible. But for God Who Knows all things, no. He Knew beforehand what choices would be made. The establishment of an everlasting kingdom fell to a descendant. Could Saul have waited for Samuel and been that ancestor? Perhaps (assuming he didn't mess up some other way). But he wasn't and the issue is now moot.

How many things do we forfeit now because we don't pray and ask for them? Choices.