Consequences
Saul’s persistence to disobey God was so costly. Not only did this rebellion harm the people of Israel in his time, but the far-reaching effects of it have been felt into future generations.
King Saul’s heart hardened. His sin created a perilous separation from God
The story for today is about King Saul’s failure to destroy the Amalekites. They had a long history of wickedness directed at God and His chosen people.
The Amalekites weren’t a nation, per se. Rather, they were a group of nomadic people from the border of Egypt. The Amalekites originated with Esau’s grandson. (Genesis 36:15 & 16)
The first time that we are aware of their aggression is when they attacked Israel shortly after the Exodus. (Exodus 17:8-16)
They attacked the women, children and other defenseless people from behind. This cowardly approach was their hallmark. These brutal people had no fear of God. So, the Lord advised the nation of Israel that He would command their complete destruction. (Deuteronomy 25:17-20)
Now, so many generations later, the Lord commands the destruction of the enemy. But once again, Saul rebelled against the Lord’s command. On the day Israel attacked the Amalekites, Saul kept the Amalekite king, Agag, alive. He also took spoils from the battle, which God had expressly forbidden.
Now the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.”
1 Samuel 10 & 11
Because Saul refused to utterly destroy all of the Amalekites, future generations of Hebrews would face horror at their hands. You can read about the first incidence of this in chapter 30, after David became the king of Israel.
While King David and Israel were fighting a battle, the Amalekites attacked. They left Israel in ruins and then kidnapped every woman, child and servant while David and his men were fighting a battle. (1 Samuel 30)
Five hundred sixty years later, the Amalekites would threaten the Jews again. This time, a descendant of these godless people would threaten Israel with total genocide.
Do you recall Haman’s plot against the Jews in the Old Testament story of Esther? Haman was believed to be a descendant of the Amalekites. We know this because the Old Testament book of Esther records that Haman was called the Agagite. (Esther 3:1) Remember, Agag was the Amalekite King Saul refused to kill.
Samuel confronted Saul. But Saul told half-truths to the old prophet. Saul actually bragged about his disobedience, by trying to make himself appear wise.
Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me and brought back Agag king of Amalek;
I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took … the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
1 Samuel 15:20-21
But Samuel would not let Saul off the hook. Although the prophet was grieved for Saul, he was more grieved for his sin against the Lord whom he had loved and served all of his life. God told Samuel what to say in this sorrowful moment.
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king.”
1 Samuel 15:21 & 22
Any time that we turn away from God’s commands that is rebellion. We are told that rebellion is just like the sin of witchcraft. And witchcraft is an evil device of God’s enemy, Satan. He is your enemy, too. He wants you to rebel against our God. Let that sobering thought help you to make godly and wise choices on your journey with the Lord.
Saul confessed that he sinned. But he had gone too far. As we read more of the conversation between Saul and Samuel, the emotion and the deep sorrow is very real.
I Have Sinned
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord.”
Rejected
But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
Torn Away
And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. So, Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.
1 Samuel 15:24-28
Now the story takes one more brutal turn. Samuel completes the task that Saul should have. You can read about it here. 1 Samuel 15:30-34
God was never taken by surprise. He knew how this story would resolve. God’s divine plan can never be circumvented by the rebellious actions of people.
“And also, the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.”
1 Samuel 15:29
And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless, Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.
1 Samuel 15:35
Let this story remind every believer of the importance of obedience to God. He is worthy of our loyalty.
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Statement of Faith
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 