When Honor Is Given, Not Sought
How Saul and David Responded When God Chose Them
Neither Saul nor David asked to be king.
Neither campaigned for power.
Neither positioned himself for promotion.
And yet—both were chosen.
The difference wasn’t the calling.
It was the posture.
Honor Reveals What We Trust
Saul was taller than anyone else. Strong. Impressive.
But when the honor of kingship came, Scripture says he hid among the baggage.
Not because he was humble—but because he was afraid.
Saul received the crown as something to protect for himself.
And fear always turns gifts into burdens.
David, on the other hand, wasn’t even invited to the anointing.
He was overlooked. Unconsidered. Forgotten in the field.
Yet when honor finally came—years later—David received it as something to steward for others.
One grasped.
One entrusted.
Fear Clutches. Love Relies.
Saul’s leadership was fueled by insecurity.
He measured himself against others.
He defended his image.
He blamed instead of repenting.
He obeyed partially—and justified it fully.
David sinned deeply—but returned quickly.
He didn’t excuse himself.
He didn’t defend his reputation.
He trusted God’s mercy more than his own righteousness.
Saul feared losing the kingdom.
David trusted God with it.
God’s Faithfulness Was the Constant
Here’s the quiet truth we often miss:
God didn’t abandon Saul.
Saul abandoned trust.
God didn’t favor David because he was flawless.
God stayed close because David stayed dependent.
Calling does not sustain us.
Dependence does.
When God Honors You
Both men were given what they didn’t ask for.
One tried to manage it.
The other learned to abide.
And that made all the difference.
Reflection