Saul’s Monument at Carmel
King Saul had just returned from Amalek, where he went to carry out the Lord’s assignment – annihilation of the Amalekites.
It was a massive victory has defined by his own success parameter. He had wiped out everything that had breath in the land. He brought alive King Agag, cattle and sheep that appeared pleasant to him.
Saul went straight home to his family at Gibeah, showing off his supremacy to other clans of Benjamin. He didn’t bother to take a littles rest from the stress of the journey or strain of battle.
He was so immersed in his perceived victory that he left home immediately to other prominent parts of Israel. The first place Saul went to was Carmel. A place of excellence (Isa35:2).
Carmel was city of beauty that blossomed in commercial activities. One of the richest men of that age, Nabal had his business at Carmel (1Sam25:2).
King Saul obviously knew it was the Aristocrats and Elites that were at Carmel. He therefore made Carmel his first place of visitation. He went in his convoy – his troops and the royal praise singers.
The praise singers eulogised King Saul, reminding him of how powerful he was. They praised his royal eminence. “Saul the one whom is different among men”. Bestowed with glory and honour”. No one in Israel or Benjamin is worthy of kingship asides you. “Even the Lord knew this and couldn’t object”. These were the panegyrics of his praise singers.
Saul floundered so much, that he forgot it was the Lord’s assignment. He didn’t consider for once, to give a report to God and glorify Him for victory.
King Saul thought his human capacity and military resource defeated the Amalekites. There was utmost showboating of human might and capacity, from Gibeah to Carmel.
Saul made so much noise that people knew his next destinations. He asked his media strategists to notify of his movements. Saul then set up a monument at Carmel in his own honour (1Sam15:12).
A monument is a memorial to commemorate historical happenings. It preserves the memory of a remarkable event. The destruction of the Amalekites was memorable, cause ancestral Amalekites attempted to truncate God’s purpose for Israel.
God did not at any point demand for a memorial of the battle. He only instructed Saul to destroy totally everything that belongs to the land.
King Saul conceived a sermon that was not of the Lord and took the glory to his name. The monument was going to preserve his name in Israel – Carmel was thus the best place to erect it.
The excellent nature of the people at Carmel prompted Saul erect his monument there. He knew the Carmelites were socialites and men of the upper-class in the financial strata of Israel. The chances that the men at Carmel would exterminate his memorial was limited – as it stands as tourism to Carmel.
The subject matter of God’s anguish, has been -his vessels refusal to give him glory as deserved. God’s acclaimed generals have repeatedly grieved God by taking undue glory.
God does miraculous works through the hands of his servants and they adore themselves through the modern praise singers – media. In doing these, they amplify the sermon of adore your preachers and glorify thy apostles.
They make congregants perceive them as gods amongst men. They fail to remember that they are only tool in the hands of the creator. Saul forgot he was just a vessel used to conquer the Amalekites.
The accurate prophecies, life-changing sermons and precise word of knowledge are all workings of the Holy Spirit. Man in all his research and analytical prowess cannot work any miracle without the operation of the Holy Ghost. It was said of the Apostles that God confirmed their words with signs and wonders (Heb2:4, Acts5:12).
Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes when men wanted to offer sacrifices to them (Acts14:13-15). They called them gods among men. They both knew the implication of these– sets the tone for self aggradisement.
Paul wanted all glory to go to God – the subject matter of Paul’s heart unlike Saul was to see men accept God.
King Saul was meant to sermonise how God gave the Amalekites to him and admonish Israel to serve God. He has the capacity to convince, as the administrative and military head of Israel.
Every time God wrought miracles through the hands of a man. He creates an atmosphere for his glory and call for men into repentance.
Every Battle conquered by you as a leader is a platform to lead men into praise and repentance.
King Jehoshaphat led Judah into the temple with harps and instruments of praise after victory at the valley of Beracah” (2Chron20:27-28).
Apostle Paul never set up a memorial to his name in any of his missionary works – teachings, healings etc. He understood the mystery of humility and praises to God – it promotes man for other divine assignments.
King Saul lost his position in God’s divine plan after that episode. God opposes the proud but gives Grace to the humble (1Peter5:5b).
Nevertheless, we must know that God will never share his glory with any one (Isa42:8b).
To access the life of a Victor. You must have a relationship with Jesus. Confess Jesus as your Lord and savior today, believing he died for your sins and resurrected for your justification.
