King Saul’s conduct is an illustration of the conflict between the flesh and the spirit 510-1 - 7 - 2

In the flesh, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Per CM, King Saul had everything in his favor:
1) a strong body; 
2) a humble mind; 
3) a new heart;
4) spiritual power; 
5) loyal friends; 
6) the guidance and prayers of Samuel.

Lessons learned from King Saul include that there is a price to pay transgressions. As often happens as one gains great power, pride/ flesh raises its ugly head. Not only did King Saul become irreverent, he became presumptuous and impatient with waiting for the dictates of God as interpreted by the prophet Samuel. He seemed to believe he was above obeying God's word. King Saul attempted to perform as both king and priest.

Saul disobeyed God so we read in 1 Samuel 19:35, “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless, Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. “

Later when Saul needed the deceased Samuel’s guidance he broke another of God’s directives, Leviticus 19:32, “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”

Rather than seeking guidance from mediums, fortune tellers and their ilk we are to search for the council of God, not the council of man. King Saul was so immersed in his flesh that he became jealous and fearful of David. King Saul was losing his grip on reality with his on again and off again pursuit of David. He was like King Saul thought if he could kill David it would free him from his demons.

When in the flesh, I tend to do it my way. This may have worked for Frank Sinatra but not for me. Pride and ego can be a detriment and pull me away from knowing my dependence is on God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It is far better er to remember and act upon the words of Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”