How can we exalt Christ from the life of Saul? Well by seeing he is a perfect picture of the opposite. Saul is the opposite of Christ in so many ways. He was so handsome; he was head and shoulders in stature above all others, but the Saviour had no form or comeliness that we should desire him. He had no superior body like a Sampson to help carry him through his toils and trials. He had no figure and appearance that would compel attraction. Saul spoiled quickly. The Lord had his temptations from Satan and he was tempted without sin. He stood firm, the perfect man. Saul dithered and Jonathan had to be the one who pressed forward the campaign. Christ never dithered. Every moment of his short life for us on earth he went about doing good, perfectly fulfilling the plan of redemption, unselfishly, every second of the time. Saul did not know what to do from one moment to the next. Christ knew every step he would take, every detour, every person he would heal, every group he would address. He knew exactly the plan and the moment and the hour when he would shed his blood for our redemption. Saul was so cruel. He could curse his men if they deviated or disobeyed. Christ was infinitely kind. He came solely to go to Calvary for his people. Saul was so fearful on so many occasions, but Christ went through with everything: all the cruelty, all the hostility, the opposition, the nails, the thorns, and the punishment from his Father on high on our behalf. Saul disobeyed; Christ faithful unto death. Saul was so foolish; Christ, so wise. What could be wiser than the plan of redemption? Saul was so proud. He would execute his son because he thought he made him look small. Christ suffered constant humiliation though he was the King of glory for us, and suffered it willingly. Saul was rejected by God; Christ and his offering was accepted by the Father. Saul was insincere in his repentance, in his promises, in his excuses; Christ had total integrity. Every promise he made, he keeps perfectly. Saul had no succession. He was allowed to reign to the end of his years, but he had no successors on the throne. Christ of course has billions of successors who are heirs with him, and enjoy the eternal glory with him. One of the things the monarchy will show: occasionally there will be a good king, who is in some respects – not all – a worthy type, prefiguring of Christ. Most often the king is so human and so weak and so fallible, that it causes us to say, ‘Oh, for the coming Christ, who will be opposite: perfect and wonderful in every way.’