Hanging back might win you an accidental Olympic gold medal, but King Saul’s passive story shows why we can’t afford to just float through our faith.

Our text in this study is: 1 Samuel 9:1-27

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What does an unlikely Australian Olympic gold medal have to do with the first king of Israel? In this study of 1 Samuel 9, we look at the introduction of Saul, a man who stood a head taller than everyone else and looked exactly like the ruler the people wanted. Yet, beneath the impressive exterior, the text reveals a passive individual, blown forward by external pressures, who is consistently acted upon by outside forces rather than his own faith.

We open this teaching with the bizarre story of speed skater Steven Bradbury, who won winter gold in 2002 by simply hanging back, staying out of the way, and waiting for his competitors to crash. It is a historical oddity, but it illustrates the passivity we see in Saul. When his father’s valuable donkeys go missing, Saul is sent on a three-day, sixty-mile search. But the moment the journey gets difficult, Saul’s very first recorded words in scripture are a call to give up: “Come on, let’s go back.” From his father sending him out to his servant urging him forward and providing the silver to see the prophet, Saul is just floating in the background while life happens to him.

Remarkably, Saul lives right near Samuel’s hometown but has no spiritual sensitivity or awareness of who Samuel even is. Yet, despite Israel’s rebellion in demanding a human king, our study highlights the incredible grace of God. We pull back the curtain to see God’s detailed, perfectly timed providence arranging a divine appointment. The Lord cares about the mundane details of our lives, even when we are wandering through frustrating seasons with nothing to show for it.

As Christians, we are called and chosen by God, with the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us. This passage challenges us to live with spiritual purpose rather than sleeping in like Saul or letting outside pressures dictate our path. Instead of sitting in the back waiting for things to happen, we want hearts that rise early, ready to discover the good works God has prepared for us to walk in.

Join us for this verse-by-verse exposition through the Old Testament as we examine the history of Israel from a conservative, evangelical perspective. Be sure to subscribe to the channel for more chapter-by-chapter Bible studies, leave a comment below with your reflections on 1 Samuel 9, and share this video with others who want to grow closer to Jesus. Let’s dive into the scriptures together.