Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Or do they?

I researched the origins of this phrase. It seems to be based on a quote by Hippocrates from Aphorisms: “For extreme diseases, extreme methods of cure, as to restriction, are most suitable.” Although this was written 600 years after King Saul lived, it could have been his life’s motto. 

As I read through 1 Samuel, it appears that whenever Saul finds himself in a tight spot, he panics. As one dictionary states, in adverse circumstances, actions that might have been rejected can become the best choice.

Saul has barely begun to wear the crown when he crosses a line. The people have been summoned to wage war against the Philistines, but before they go into battle, they plan for Samuel to offer burnt sacrifices to seek the Lord’s favor. Samuel delays, and Saul panics as he sees the people begin to lose interest and return to their homes. He takes it upon himself to offer the sacrifices. The smoke hasn’t even cleared when Samuel arrives and admonishes the king for his presumptuous actions. His arrogance in assuming the role of priest will cost him the kingdom, for God has seen that his heart does not seek Him (1 Samuel 13:1-14).

A short time later, Saul is desperate to win the war against the Philistines, so he makes a foolish demand of his army: “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies” (1 Samuel 14:24). Was it wise to physically weaken his own people? Of course not, but Saul, desperate, thought this would either motivate them to fight harder or gain God’s favor through their sacrifice. This nearly costs his son, Jonathan, his life; not present to hear his father’s command, he refreshes himself with honey. Thankfully, the people rescue Jonathan, reminding Saul of his bravery in battle.

What was Saul’s issue? Why did he persistently behave foolishly in desperate situations?

Saul’s Achilles heel? His pride. He believed he could find a better way. As king of God’s chosen people, his first reaction should have been to seek God’s heart and wisdom, and depend on His plans. Sadly, he often thought he knew better.

1 Samuel 15 lays bare Saul’s problem. God grants the people victory over Amalek, conveying a clear message through Samuel. They are to completely destroy Amalek—everything he possesses, killing both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey (15:3). Saul has no issue with conquering the people, but he believes he has a better plan for the best of the livestock. He spares their lives with the intention of sacrificing them to God. He also shows mercy to Agag, the king of the Amalekites.

Samuel receives this news from God Himself, accompanied by a deeply sorrowful statement. God said, I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands (15:11). ” This upsets Samuel deeply and he cries out to the Lord all night. But God has made His decision.

Saul defends his disobedience by protesting he was only acting on behalf of God. Here, we learn that God takes no delight in our sacrifices if they come at the cost of disobedience. In fact, He equates rebellion and insubordination to be as abhorrent to Him as divination (sorcery and witchcraft) and idolatry (15:22-23).

Saul appears to repent, but there are consequences. Desperate times for a child of God are never an excuse for desperate measures that lead us to disobey Him. The kingdom will be taken from Saul and given to David, though not for more than forty years.

If we left the story here, it would be a very sad tale. We empathize with Saul (for who among us hasn’t thought we knew better than God at some point), but we must conclude he received what he justly deserved. He had a foolish and prideful heart, which led to much pain and disappointment; he also missed many of the blessings God desired for him.

But what about God’s heart? Scripture states that God regretted making Saul king (15:11,35). Does God second-guess Himself? Does He make mistakes? 

The word translated as “regret” is nāḥam. In some instances, it can mean to rue, to be sorry, to repent, or to regret, but there is another sense in which I believe it is used here. It is often translated as “comfort,” meaning to console oneself. It can also mean to lament or grieve because of the misery of others. We find this same word in Genesis 6:6, when the depths of the world’s sin in the days of Noah caused God’s heart to grieve that He had made man.

In other words, God did not change His mind about Saul. He knew the choices Saul would make, but in His sovereignty, He allowed him free will to choose. When Saul made poor choices, it grieved God’s heart. He was filled with compassion for Saul because of the consequences that sin brought to Saul.

Isn’t this exactly what Jesus did when He went to the cross? Surely, our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted (Isaiah 53:4). God takes upon Himself the grief caused by our own sin.

God is still using Saul’s life to teach us a valuable lesson: desperate times never call for desperate measures. Desperate times call for us to lean more deeply into the truth of God’s Word and to obey it wholeheartedly. God is the Master of handling our desperate times—even when they are of our own making. His heart is for us, and He grieves with us when we fail.

***

On a side note, God’s command to completely annihilate Amalek appears contradictory to His heart of love and compassion. Here is one pastor’s (biblical) perspective if you are curious about that!