The Five Sins for Which King Saul Died

Midrash Shmuel 24:7

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

For five sins Saul died, [as it is said,] "So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD" (1 Chronicles 10:13). [The first:] that Samuel said to him, "Seven days you shall wait" (1 Samuel 10:8), "until I come to you, etc.," and he did not do so, [but said,] "so I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering" (1 Samuel 13:12). [The second:] "concerning the word of the LORD which he did not keep" (1 Chronicles 10:13), for he spared Agag. [The third:] and for that he destroyed Nob, the city of the priests. [The fourth:] "and also for asking [counsel] of a medium" (1 Chronicles 10:13), for he inquired of a medium and a familiar spirit, "and inquired not of the LORD; therefore He slew him" (1 Chronicles 10:14). [The fifth:] "And Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw your hand" (1 Samuel 14:19).

Themes

KingshipDivine Judgment

Biblical References

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