Did Saul Inquire?

As I was reading in 1 Chronicles 10 this morning, I noticed something that I hadn't noticed before...

"So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse" (1 Chron. 10:13-14).

The point is made that Saul consulted a medium for guidance, but did not inquire of the Lord. So not only was it wrong for him to partake in the sin of sorcery, but in so doing, he failed to seek help and mercy from the One who could actually give it - GOD!

But here's what is especially interesting about this point. In 1 Chronicles, Saul's death (and the reasons for his death) are being summarized after the fact. In 1 Samuel 28, we find the actual narrative. Notice what is written in 1 Samuel 28:5-7...

"When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, 'Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.' And his servants said to him, 'In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.'"

I had always assumed that Saul had inquired of the Lord, but the Lord had chosen not to answer Saul on account of his unfaithfulness. I had this image of King Saul pouring out his heart to God, seeking His counsel, and yet it was too late - Saul's fate (at least in the physical sense) was sealed; he was to be taken out of the way, and David brought in to fill his place.

But as we read in 1 Chronicles 10, Saul didn't really inquire of the Lord. While some may look at this as a blatant contradiction, I'd like to see it as a commentary on Samuel's account, and here's what I conclude: even though Saul went through the motions of inquiring of the Lord, his heart wasn't truly invested in the prayer, he lacked true humility, and was not sincerely interested in the Lord's will. Or perhaps, even though he prayed and besought God outwardly, he was unwilling to repent and change his ways.

"Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Peter 3:11-12).

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).

There are people today who, like Saul, may pray outwardly to God for answers and for help, and yet because they are unwilling to align themselves with the plan and purpose of God, God doesn't hear them. To put it another way, there are folks who are inquiring of God outwardly, but they're not inquiring of God inwardly. 

So here's the question for you (and for me): are we living how we want to live (rather than how God wants us to live) all the while expecting God to hear our prayers and have a relationship with us? Are we praying for His guidance all the while ignoring His word which He gave to guide us? 

Or are we truly humble in His presence, living faithfully and obediently to His word and thus enjoying the blessing and privilege of prayer and the peace that results?

Hopefully, the latter is true in your life.