As a celebrity, Michael Jordan may not seem like the most obvious choice to retell the story of the Bible book of 1 Samuel. Nonetheless, the former NBA star is no stranger to overcoming adversity, and the tale of King Saul and the prophet Samuel is one that resonates with anyone who has faced challenges in their lives.
1 Samuel opens with the story of Hannah, a woman who desperately wants a child but cannot conceive. She prays to God for a son, and Samuel is born. Michael Jordan can relate to the feeling of wanting something so badly but feeling powerless to achieve it. In his autobiography, he writes about the frustration he felt during his first few years in the NBA when the Chicago Bulls couldn’t seem to win a championship. Like Hannah, he turned to God for help.
The bulk of 1 Samuel focuses on the rise and fall of King Saul, who is chosen by God to lead the Israelites but ultimately fails to follow God’s commands. Samuel becomes the prophet who advises Saul but also becomes his critic when Saul refuses to listen to God’s instructions. Michael Jordan, who famously clashed with his own coaches during his career, can understand the dynamic between Saul and Samuel. He writes in his book that he often disagreed with his coaches but ultimately respected them for their knowledge and experience.
Saul’s downfall comes when he disobeys God’s instruction to destroy all of the Amalekites, including their women and children. He keeps their king, Agag, and some of the best livestock as spoils of war. Samuel confronts Saul about his disobedience, but Saul tries to rationalize his actions. Michael Jordan knows from experience that it’s easy to justify bad behavior in the moment, but it always catches up with you in the end.
As punishment for his disobedience, God rejects Saul as king and chooses David, a shepherd boy, to be his successor. David defeats the giant Goliath and becomes a hero among the Israelites. Saul becomes increasingly jealous of David and tries to kill him multiple times. Jordan, who knows a thing or two about being a sports hero and dealing with jealousy from others, can understand the tension between Saul and David.
The book of 1 Samuel ends with the death of Saul and his sons in battle with the Philistines. David becomes king and establishes himself as a great leader. Although he is far from perfect, he always turns to God for guidance and is ultimately rewarded for his faithfulness. Jordan, who is known for his own leadership and success on the basketball court, can appreciate the lessons of 1 Samuel about the importance of seeking guidance from a higher power and staying true to your beliefs.
As for a funny quote from Michael Jordan to end this retelling? How about this gem from his Hall of Fame induction speech: “One day you may look up and see me playing the game at 50. Don’t laugh. Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”
