Saul's reign as king is a self preservation project. He withholds from his army and then appeases them - in both ways acting only to firm up his grip on his kingdom. The truth is that most of our life is a self-preservation project too. We tighten our grip on our "kingdom" and in so doing create bondage, anxiety and a joyless existence. What if there was a different way? Jesus has already preserved his kingdom for us. And this kingdom is the source of joy and life.