But Saul presumed upon his exaltation, and dishonored God by unbelief and disobedience. Though when first called to the throne he was humble and self-distrustful, success made him self-confident. The very first victory of his reign had kindled that pride of heart which was his greatest danger. The valor and military skill displayed in the deliverance of Jabesh-gilead had roused the enthusiasm of the whole nation. The people honored their king, forgetting that he was but the agent by whom God had wrought; and though at first Saul ascribed the glory to God, he afterward took honor to himself. He lost sight of his dependence upon God, and in heart departed from the Lord. Thus the way was prepared for his sin of presumption and sacrilege at Gilgal. The same blind self-confidence led him to reject Samuel's reproof. Saul acknowledged Samuel to be a prophet sent from God; hence he should have accepted the reproof, though he could not himself see that he had sinned. Had he been willing to see and confess his error, this bitter experience would have proved a safeguard for the future.

Men Saul kunne ikke tåle den ære, der blev vist ham, og vanærede Gud på grund af sin vantro og ulydighed. Han var ydmyg og beskeden, da han blev kaldet til tronen, men hans succes gjorde ham selvsikker. Da han vandt sin første sejr som konge, vaktes hans stolthed, som var hans største fare. Hele nationen blev begejstret over den tapperhed og feltherrekunst, han lagde for dagen, da han befriede Jabesj i Gilead. Folket gav kongen æren og glemte, at han blot var et redskab i Guds hånd. Skønt Saul gav Gud æren til at begynde med, tog han senere æren selv. Han glemte, at han var afhængig af Gud, og i sit hjerte blev han mere og mere fremmed for Herren. Derved beredtes vejen for hans formastelse og helligbrøde i Gilgal. Det var den samme blinde selvtillid, der fik ham til at lade hånt om Samuels irettesættelse. Saul betragtede Samuel som Guds profet og skulle derfor have taget irettesættelsen til efterretning, selv om han ikke selv kunne se, at han havde syndet. Hvis han havde været villig til at indse sin fejl og bekende sin synd, ville den pinlige erfaring, han kom ud for ved denne lejlighed, være blevet ham til hjælp i fremtiden.