Pope St. Gregory I: "On sudden attainment of supreme rule"

"FOR commonly in the school of adversity the heart is subdued under discipline, while, on sudden attainment of supreme rule, it is immediately changed and becomes elated through familiarity with glory. Thus Saul, who had before fled in consideration of his unworthiness, no sooner had assumed the government of the kingdom than he was puffed up (1 Sam 10:22; 15:17-30); for, desirous of being honoured before the people while unwilling to be publicly blamed, he cut off from himself even him who had anointed him to the kingdom."

~Pope St. Gregory I (c. 540-604): Pastoral Rule, Bk. I, Ch. 3.

The Shade of Samuel Appears to Saul, by Rosa Salvator.

Oil on canvas, 1668; Musée du Louvre, Paris.