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There’s a lot of chatter in our culture today around “what is a woman?” And aside from obvious biology, there’s a passage in 1 Samuel that shows us how to answer the question, “what is a man?” by highlighting the spiritual genetic code that maps over all XY chromosomes.
Enter a man named Saul, a tall man who was “small” in his call. Even though God had granted him many facets of natural leadership, he cowered away into lies of inadequacy and insecurity, and consequently, saw himself as small.
As soon as the narrative introduces Saul, we see an unraveling display of cowardice and compromise—though he had just been appointed king. And tragically, this catastrophic cascade falls like an avalanche, all the way to his cold, bitter end. Consider the following, all from 1 Samuel alone:
- He doesn’t recognize Samuel when he first meets him (9:18). He’s face-to-face with the ‘face’ of Israel — oblivious to what’s in front of him.
- He dismisses Samuel’s initial acknowledgment (9:21). He shirks away from the gravity of the moment — assessing himself insecurely instead of being in awe at God’s grace.
- He stays silent when God seats at the head of the table (9:22). The ceremonial meal shows his insecurity — he’s seated at the place of call, but his heart hasn’t caught up.
- He wakes up late when Samuel rises early (9:26). He oversleeps his assignment — always a step behind what God’s doing.
- He gets sidetracked with donkeys and gifts (10:2). He stays distracted by errands — not driven by purpose.
- He conceals himself and shies away from his calling (10:22). He hides in the baggage when he is supposed to be standing among the people and leading the battlefield.
- He joins the people from the field, after the people have already been weeping (11:5-6). He’s plowing when he should be preparing — working hard in the wrong field.
- He takes matters into his own hands instead of patiently waiting for Samuel (13:8-13). He oversteps his role with the altar — leading with pride and brashness instead of patience and humility.
- He makes a rash vow that weakens his own army (14:24-30). He talks big but thinks small — valuing control over compassion.
- He spares what God said to destroy and blames the people (15:9-24). He fears people more than he fears God — obeying halfway, then excusing the rest.
- He seethes with jealousy when David is praised (18:7-9). He can’t celebrate another man’s success — small men see threats where they should see teammates.
- He kills priests out of paranoia (22:17-29). His high status wreaks of insecurity — so he uses his strength to silence instead of to serve.
- He seeks a medium when God appears silent (28:7). He chases counterfeit voices when he should humble himself and return to the One true voice.
Truly, it’s almost as if Saul ‘gets smaller’ over time.
- Starts with hesitation — hiding among the baggage.
- Shifts to imitation — offering the sacrifice himself.
- Slides into justification — blaming the people.
- Sinks into comparison — envying David.
- Spirals into desperation — visiting the witch of Endor.
Throughout it all, however, God continually pursues this king, summoning him to stand taller and grow larger into all that he was purposed to be and to do. God did not just merely give him commands and a good mentor. He gave him so much more:
- God anointed him with oil (10:1) — setting him apart from others to stand tall among them.
- God retrieved his lost donkeys (10:2) — handling the relatively small stuff in Saul’s life so he could devote more time and attention to the big stuff of his calling.
- God provided him a feast of abundance (10:3-4) — symbolizing that He will sufficiently meet all of Saul’s needs for the road ahead.
- God sent the Holy Spirit upon him (10:5-6) — empowering him to fulfill all the leadership responsibilities he is called and expected to perform.
- God surrounded him with godly men (10:22) — supporting him for the work he had yet to even step into.
God met Saul’s cowardice with confirmations; insecurities with great signs; and anxious panic with ample power. And He does the same with us today.
As you consider your own life, how has God naturally gifted you with certain things to help you ‘stand tall’ in your call? Like Saul, is it physical stature or a great mentor? Regardless, we need much more than that: a humble heart that seeks to be stand tall and be big in our call. Right now, do you feel ‘tall’ or ‘small’ in your call?
What has God called you to be?
- A father? Be tall in your call.
- A husband? Be tall in your call.
- An entrepreneur? Be tall in your call.
- A doctor, coder, lawyer, teacher, technician? Be tall in your call.
Do not be small in your call like Saul. Stand up tall in your call, today.
