His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presents in this lecture a deep spiritual reflection on the life of King Saul, showing how he moved from being chosen by God and anointed with the Holy Spirit to becoming a man driven by self-will, jealousy, and hostility, until the Spirit of the Lord departed from him. The lecture reveals the contrast between Saul’s heart that drifted toward evil and David’s heart that remained humble and noble, and how grace needs a pure heart for its work to continue.

1. Saul’s selection and the grace of the beginning

• God allowed Saul to become king, granting him anointing, prophecy, and authority.

• This was an act of God’s love, giving every person a full chance, just as with Judas before.

• But Saul did not preserve this grace; he became proud and walked according to his own will.

2. Saul’s first sins — independence from God

• He did not obey God’s guidance nor Samuel’s commands.

• He offered the sacrifice himself although it belonged only to the priesthood.

• He acted against the commandments of God in war and leadership.

• The result was: “The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul,” and he became like an unfortified city.

3. Jealousy and hostility entering Saul’s heart

• After David defeated Goliath, Saul became jealous because the people praised David more.

• His former love turned into deep hatred, and he sought to kill David by all means.

• He sent David into battles to perish, tried using his daughter Michal, and even commanded his servants to kill him.

4. David’s nobility and humility toward Saul

• Although David knew Saul’s sin and the evil spirit troubling him, he respected Saul’s anointing.

• He did not harm him in the cave; he only cut the edge of his robe to show his innocence.

• When Saul saw this, he wept and said: “You are more righteous than I.”

• But this feeling was temporary and not true repentance, and Saul returned to persecuting David.

5. The contrast of the two hearts: David’s heart and Saul’s heart

• David’s faults were accidental, and his spiritual foundation was pure.

• Saul’s evil was rooted within him, so his repentance was temporary and weak.

• Grace touched him for a moment but did not change his inner depth.

6. The end — Saul’s fall and David’s steadfastness

• Saul turned to sorcery after losing God’s guidance, Samuel, and David.

• He was defeated in battle and died with his sons, including Jonathan.

• David wept for him and wrote a noble lamentation praising even the one who had harmed him.

• David remained faithful and did good to the household of Saul after becoming king.

Spiritual conclusion

Saul’s life is a bitter lesson about the danger of self-love, jealousy, and pride.
Grace is offered to all, but its continuity requires a humble and pure heart.
David’s life teaches humility, nobility, and reverence for God’s work in others.
The inner heart is the root of all behavior…
If the heart is corrupted, moments of regret are useless.
But if the heart is good, even a fall can be healed by return.

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