The Tragedy of Self-Love
1 Samuel 31:4 (ESV) Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. Saul is a picture for us of a man who increasingly loved only one person - Himself. He would have killed his son if it propelled his status. He sought to kill David who challenged his fame. For a man who was hiding in the baggage at his humble beginnings, he definitely overcame any self-consciousness to become completely enamored with himself. Perhaps this is the warning to us of Saul's life. We may think we are not susceptible to the appeal of fame or acclaim. It's easy to judge celebrities for their self-interested lifestyles when you aren't one. But the draw toward affirmation from our contemporaries is strong in all of us. If we aren't careful, we will follow the path of Saul. We...