THE LORD REJECTS SAUL AS KING 1 SAMUEL 15:1-35

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1 1 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell THE LORD REJECTS SAUL AS KING 1 SAMUEL 15:1-35

2 2 Text: 1 Samuel 15:1-35, The Lord Rejects Saul as King Commentary by Ron Thomas 1. Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. 2. This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.' " 4. So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. 5. Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. 6. Then he said to the Kenites, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites. 7. Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. 8. He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 9. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs everything that was good. These

3 3 they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. 10. Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11. "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. 12. Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal." 13. When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions." 14. But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" 15. Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest." 16. "Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." "Tell me," Saul replied. 17. Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 18. And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.' 19. Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?" 20. "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal." 22. But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To

4 4 obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king." 24. Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. 25. Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD." 26. But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" 27. As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28. Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors to one better than you. 29. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." 30. Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." 31. So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. 32. Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites." Agag came to him confidently, thinking, "Surely the bitterness of death is past." 33. But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women." And Samuel put Agag to death before the LORD at Gilgal. 34. Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35. Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel. (NIV)

5 5 Commentary: 1 Samuel 15:1-ll, said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.' " So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. Then he said to the Kenites, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites. Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. (NIV) I. Samuel s charge to Saul a command. 15:1-11 A. Destroy the Amalekites. 15: Samuel 15:1-4, Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. This is what

6 6 the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.' " So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. (NIV) 2. It has been noted that a chronological time element is missing (Smith, p. 264), and that some critics will note that Saul was given two reasons for his rejection as king over Israel. a. The first, they say, is because of his failure to wait an appointed period of time given him by Samuel and, the second, because he failed to obey the Lord s command. b. However, this point of criticism is without merit. i. The common denominator in both instances was Saul s disobedience and impatience. c. It is also interesting to note that in comparison with David, Saul looked good relative to the number of failings brought to light. i. The difference would be in each person s response to the Lord. 3. Saul was reminded by Samuel that he was the Lord s chosen; thus, there were responsibilities placed upon him which the Lord expected to be discharged (15:1).

7 7 a. 1 Samuel 15:1, Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. (NIV) 4. The Lord gave Saul the charge to destroy the Amalekites. a. These were a people that attempted to thwart Israel s migration from Egypt toward Mount Sinai where the Lord was to be worshipped (Exodus 17). i. Exodus 17:8-16, The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up one on one side, one on the other so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be

8 8 at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." (NIV) b. It has been troubling for some to determine why the Lord would have Saul completely wipe out the whole nation. c. It must not be forgotten that the Lord knows all and our understanding is not necessarily important. d. As far as the biblical record is concerned, the people of Amalek were bitter foes of Israel (Numbers 14:20; Deuteronomy 25:17-19). i. Numbers 14:20, The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. (NIV)?? ii. Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget! (NIV) 5. Such a large force as Saul was able to muster is suggestive of a time somewhat later (not immediately) than the events of chapters 13 and 14. B. Saul almost did the Lord s will (15:5-9).

9 Samuel 15:5-9, Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. Then he said to the Kenites, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites. Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. (NIV) 2. Saul prepared to ambush Amalek but, before he did, he let the Kenites go freely. a. Saul explained to them why he was letting them go free. 15:5-6 i. 1 Samuel 15:5, 6, Then he said to the Kenites, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites. (NIV) ii. Moses father-in-law, Jethro, is called the priest of Midian in Exodus 3:1 and Exodus 18:1, but in Judges 1:16 he is described as a Kenite, showing a close relation between the Kenites and Midian (ISBE, E-Sword).

10 10 iii. Exodus 3:1, Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. (NIV) iv. Exodus 18:1, Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. (NIV) v. Judges 1:16, The descendants of Moses' father-in-law, the Kenite, went up from the City of Palms with the men of Judah to live among the people of the Desert of Judah in the Negev near Arad. (NIV) 3. The attack was overwhelming on Amalek, and they were defeated thoroughly (15:7-8), although, it is perfectly reasonable to expect some to have escaped the slaughter as this is demonstrated to be the case in 2 Samuel 1:1. a. 1 Samuel 15:7, 8, Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. (NIV) b. 2 Samuel 1:1, After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. (NIV) c. However, Saul failed to do what the Lord said because he spared the king, Agag.

11 11 i. Agag was a common name for Amalekite kings (Winter, p. 181). d. Why would Saul spare the king? i. Not sure; perhaps it had something to do with showing his military prowess and to humiliate the king before others. 4. It was not just the king, but much of the livestock was also spared. 15:9 a. 1 Samuel 15:9, But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. (NIV) b. From purely a human perspective it does not sound as if Saul had done anything truly wrong. i. From a human perspective, this would be so; from a divine perspective, it was not so at all. e. Two things to be noted: i. First, Saul and the army were unwilling to destroy everything. ii. Second, he (they) placed a value upon everything and those not destroyed, were valued more highly.

12 12 iii. Thus, what value the Lord placed on everything was rejected, at least in part. C. The Lord s response to Saul s actions (15:10-11) Samuel 15:10, 11, Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. (NIV) 2. The Lord watched this entire course of events take place. 3. After victory had been gained, the Lord told Samuel His pain in that He regretted making Saul king. An interesting remark to say the least; what does it mean? a. That this does not express any changeableness in the divine nature, but simply the sorrow of the divine love at the rebellion of sinners is evident enough from 1 Samuel 15:29 (Kiel and Delitzsch, E-Sword). i. 1 Samuel 15:29, He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." (NIV) b. If that is so, how can we reconcile the apparent discrepancy? i. Anthropomorphic terms are used in describing God s response of heart, bodily parts, and deeds (Proverbs 15:3; Genesis 3:8; Exodus 15:3).

13 13 ii. Proverbs 15:3, The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (NIV) iii. Genesis 3:8, Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (NIV) iv. Exodus 15:3, The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. (NIV) v. These terms are used to convey an adequate idea of the situation; thus, apparent contradictions might result - when none actually exists. c. John Gill suggests that the use of the word repent or greatly regret is really nothing more than God changing the action of His plan. In other words, when man repents, he changes his behavior. When God repents He changes His plan relative to what He said He was going to do in the first place (E-Sword). d. Coffman said the following: God s repentance is a far different thing than that of men. God does not change; but when men change, their standing with God is reversed and that is what is meant here. And it repented the Lord that he had made man (Genesis 6:6 KJV). This is an accurate statement because it reflects the location of the change, not in God, but in men. i. Genesis 6:6, And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (KJV)

14 Samuel was very troubled by what he heard from the Lord and by what Saul had done. a. Not only had the people rejected the Lord from being judge over them, but now the very king they desired, the Lord rejected also. 1 Samuel 15:12-35, Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal." When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions." But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest." "Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." "Tell me," Saul replied. Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.' Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?" "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal." But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the

15 15 LORD, he has rejected you as king." Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD." But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites." Agag came to him confidently, thinking, "Surely the bitterness of death is past." But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women." And Samuel put Agag to death before the LORD at Gilgal. Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel. (NIV) I. Samuel s charge to Saul - a change (15:12-35). A. Samuel meets Saul (15:12-16) Samuel 15:12-16, Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal." When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions." But

16 16 Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest." "Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." "Tell me," Saul replied. (NIV) 2. Saul s monument to himself (15:12). a. 1 Samuel 15:12, Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal." (NIV) b. Youngblood thought this monument would have been a stele inscribing his victory over the Philistines. c. Did he give credit to the Lord, or did he take all credit for himself? d. Difficult to say, but note what the Lord said to Samuel in 15:11. i. 1 Samuel 15:11, "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. (NIV) 3. Saul thought he had accomplished the Lord s command (15:13-15).

17 17 a. 1 Samuel 15:13-15, When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions." But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest." (NIV) b. Saul greeted Samuel with a joyous voice. c. Imagine the wind being taken completely out of Saul s sails when Samuel asked his question ( 15:14). i. 1 Samuel 15:14, But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" (NIV) d. It is tough to take the joy of people away, but when circumstances demand it, it must occur. i. For Saul, the circumstances demanded it. e. Saul s attempt at justification is classic in that man has always attempted to justify his actions when it was evident he was in the wrong. i. The Lord said to Samuel that Saul turned back from following Him, but Saul attempted to justify his actions based on giving the best to the Lord; in truth, the best one can give to the Lord is his total heart!

18 Samuel was directed by the Lord to tell Saul the Lord s word (15:16). a. 1 Samuel 15:16, "Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." "Tell me," Saul replied. (NIV) b. Almost in mid-sentence, Samuel cut Saul off and is about to tell him the Lord s response to his actions. B. The Lord s word to Saul (15:17-23) Samuel 15:17-23, Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.' Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?" "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal." But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king." (NIV)

19 It is interesting that Josephus records the lament and words of Samuel praying all night, appealing to the Lord to grant Saul forgiveness. a. The Lord would not. 3. When Samuel met with Saul the next morning Samuel reminded Saul that at one time he was a humble man, but now he is different (15:17). a. 1 Samuel 15:17, Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. (NIV) b. Saul was once humble and God put him in a position over all Israel; now that he was great (in his own eyes), the Lord rejected him. c. Samuel reminded Saul of all this and brought it to a close with the question: Why did you not obey (15:8-9). i. 1 Samuel 15:8, 9, He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. (NIV) 4. Saul appealed to Samuel by saying that he did obey, but the pressure of the people applied against him made him

20 20 relent with respect to some things (Agag, the king, and the best of the livestock). a. Perhaps Saul held up the animal as evidence of good faith (Gordon, p. 145); in truth, it was nothing more than indulgence or self-interested plundering (15:20-21). i. 1 Samuel 15:20, 21, "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal." (NIV) b. Whatever pressure people apply and it can be a great amount of pressure God s leader must stand firm. i. This is something so easily recognized and understood, but when that pressure is felt many knees buckle. c. Because so many preachers have felt the pressure applied against them from the people, changes to God s word have been all too often made in proclamations purported to be the truth of the gospel. d. Compare this with Paul s sentiment in Romans 15:18. i. Romans 15:18, For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not

21 21 wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, (KJV) 5. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 is a great illustration of what God expects. a. 1 Samuel 15:22, 23, But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king." (NIV) b. God expects us to love Him. i. We express our love for God by keeping his commandments. ii. 1 John 5:3, For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (KJV) c. When Saul was confronted with Samuel s words in these two verses, Saul learned an important lesson obedience is not in form, it is in the heart before the actions are performed. d. Saul failed the Lord in the heart; thus, he failed the Lord in action as well. i. This gets us to what legalism is.

22 22 ii. Legalism is a mindset that says outward obedience is sufficient enough for God s blessing to result. iii. God has made it clear this is not the case (2 Timothy 2:19). iv. 2 Timothy 2:19, Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (KJV) C. Saul s reply to the Lord s word (15:24-31) Samuel 15:24-31, Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD." But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. (NIV) 2. Saul confesses his sin (15:24-25, 27, 30).

23 23 a. 1 Samuel 15:24, 25, 27, 30, Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD." As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." (NIV) b. Saul confessed his sin, but it appears he did not learn. c. Sin went after the Lord s anointed in order to thwart the Lord s mission of a new king on the throne. d. In Saul s confession we learned, again, what motivates man to disobey the Lord. i. What we learn is no small matter; the fear that others can levy against another is tremendous even against big and powerful men! e. Saul was distraught by the situation, and angered; as Samuel turned to go away, Saul tore his robe (15:27). i. 1 Samuel 15:27, As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. (NIV) f. In Saul s confession of guilt there is nothing that equals David s confession.

24 24 i. For Saul, it was a matter of public appearance (15:30); for David, it was a matter of sinning against God. ii. 1 Samuel 15:30, Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." (NIV) iii. Note that contrast! 3. Samuel s response (15:26, 28-29, 31). a. 1 Samuel 15:26, 28, 29, 31, But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. (NIV) b. Samuel was very disturbed by Saul s actions and made it clear to the king that he would no longer come to Saul s aid (15:26). i. 1 Samuel 15:26, But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" (NIV)

25 25 c. This is a pretty harsh announcement to Saul, but one that Samuel took to heart when Saul rejected God as King in his heart. i. As Samuel noted Saul s frustration and the torn robe, he turned the act into a parable (Gordon, p. 146). d. As Saul had torn his own robe, the Lord had torn the kingdom away from Saul (15:28-29). i. 1 Samuel 15:28, 29, Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." (NIV) ii. We are introduced to a difficult matter in this verse (15:29). iii. God does not lie, nor relent (NKJV). Yet, earlier, we read that God regretted having made Saul king; there seems to be some inconsistency between these two statements. iv. Are we to understand this in relation to an absolute, or are we to understand this in relation to the way man acts? That God will not lie is an absolute, but what about the idea of relenting? v. To relent is to change one s mind; God has clearly done this. Man can try to promote himself as being constant (consistent, steadfast) in the

26 26 times of difficulty and with the unforeseen, but it is only God who is this way always. Thus, when God states something, He is faithful to that which He declared unless the circumstance of man s behavior changes - in this case, Saul s behavior. e. Understanding the situation, Samuel turned back at least to allow Saul to save some dignity (15:31). i. 1 Samuel 15:31, So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. (NIV) D. Samuel executes the Lord s word (15:32-35) Samuel 15:32-35, Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites." Agag came to him confidently, thinking, "Surely the bitterness of death is past." But Samuel said, "As your sword hasmadewomenchildless,so will your mother be childless among women." And Samuel put Agag to death before the LORD at Gilgal. Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel. (NIV) 2. Perhaps Samuel had another reason for turning back and going along with Saul. a. Samuel called for the king (Agag) and demonstrated that even in the most difficult of situations (when one is in captivity), the Lord s will is to be done (15:32-33). i. 1 Samuel 15:32, 33, Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites." Agag

27 27 came to him confidently, thinking, "Surely the bitterness of death is past." But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women." And Samuel put Agag to death before the LORD at Gilgal. (NIV) 3. This situation of Samuel and Agag is difficult to our way of thinking in a civilized world; but let us not forget, the Lord is not measured by man s evaluation (Romans 3:4). He is measured by His own will, and that will is a godly and righteous will. a. Romans 3:4, God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (KJV) b. His will at the time was for their destruction because of their evil activities just as Samuel mentioned. c. Another thing that troubles us about this situation is that Samuel hacked Agag into pieces. i. Did he actually need to do this? d. We are too far removed from the situation to judge fairly. i. As difficult as it may seem to us, it occurred and we must let it be. 4. As the chapter closes (15:34-35), the conclusion of Saul s reign is that Samuel did not go to see Saul again.

28 28 a. 1 Samuel 15:34, 35, Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel. (NIV) b. They did see one another, but it was Saul that initiated the action (19:24; 28:10-11). i. 1 Samuel 19:24, And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? (NIV) ii. 1 Samuel 28:10, 11, And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. (NIV) c. All that time, however, Samuel mourned over the situation with Saul. Questions 1 Samuel 15:1-35 (Questions based on NIV text.)

29 said to, am the one the sent to you over his ; so now to the from the. This is what the says: will the for what they did to when they them as they came up from. Now go, the and that to them. Do not them; put to and, and, and, and. 2. Why were the Amalekites to be totally destroyed? Were any Amalekites then living involved in the earlier incident involving Israel? Why would a just God destroy innocent babies? 3. So the men and them at - and men from. went to the city of and set an in the. Then he said to the,, leave the so that I do not you along with them; for you showed to all the when they came up out of. So the

30 30 moved away from the. 4. Give as many details as possible about Israel s prior relationship, association with the Kenites which could, would have influenced Israel on this occasion to show kindness to the Kenites. 5. Then the all the way from to, to the of. He took of the, and all his he, with the. But and the spared and the best of the and, the and - that was good. These they were to, but that was and the. 6. Did Saul obey God fully, partially or not at all? Give reasons for your answer.

31 Who were the Amalekites? Trace their ancestry. 8. Locate Telaim, the city of Amalek, Havilah, Shur, Carmel, Gilgal, Ramah and Gibeah of Saul. 9. Haman is said to be an Agagite. (Esther 3:1). Does this mean he was an Amalekite? If so, did the events of 1 Samuel 15 factor into his hatred of the Jews? 10. Then the of the came to : I am that I have made, because he has from me and has not

32 32 my. was, and out to the that. 11. In this case, how did God communicate with Samuel, by audible voice or otherwise? 12. What causes you to stay awake all night? What other Bible characters are said to have been awake all night because of distress? 13. in the got up and went to meet, but he was told, has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a in his own and has and on down to. 14. What monuments do people erect in their own honor today? What are you doing to cultivate the adulation of others?

33 When reached him, said, The you. I have carried out the s. 16. Did Saul really believe he had done God s will regarding the Amalekites? Give evidence to support your answer. 17. But said, What then is this of in my? What is this of that I hear? 18. answered, The brought them from the ; they the of the and to to the your, but we the. 19. What other biblical characters blamed others for their short coming? Did blaming others excuse the evil doers? 20. What is the significance of Saul s referring to the Lord as Samuel s God instead of his (Saul s) God? See verse 15.

34 Did Saul really spare the best animals for sacrificial purposes? Give reasons for your answer. 22.! said to. Let me tell you what the to me. 23., replied. Was Saul really anxious to hear what God had said? Did Saul believe what God said would be favorable to him? Support your answer with facts. 24. said, Although you were once in your own, did you not become the of the of? The you over. And he sent you on a, saying, and those, the ; make on them until you have. Why did you not the?

35 35 Why did you on the and do in the of the? 25. How has your opinion of yourself affected your life? 26. But did the, said. went on the the me. I the and their. The took and from the, the of what was to, in order to them to the your at. 27. But replied, Does the in and as much as in the of the? To is better than, and to is better than the of. For is like the of, and like the of. Because you have the of the, he has you as. 28. Why is obedience better than sacrifice?

36 If Samuel s son had been king and he had done exactly as Saul did, would Samuel have spoken to his son in the same way he spoke to Saul? Opinion question. See 1 Samuel 8: Then said to,. I the s and your. I was of the and so I in to. Now I you, my and with me so that I may the. 31. At what point did Saul realize he had sinned? Was Saul honest in what he had said prior to verse 24? 32. But said to him, I will go back with you. You have the

37 37 of the, and the has you as over. 33. As to, of the of his, and it. said to him, The has the of from you and has it to one of your - to one than you. He who is the of does not or his ; for he is not a, that he should his. 34. What effect did Samuel s pronouncement have on Saul from this time to the time of his death? 35. replied, have. But please me before the of my and before ; Come back with me, so that I may the. So went back with, and the. 36. Then said, me of the. came to him,,

38 38 Surely the of is. But said, As your has made, so will your be among. And put to before the at. 37. Then left for, but went up to his in of. Until the day, he did not go to again, though for him. And the was that he had made over. 38. Explain why an all knowing God was grieved at the conduct of the person he had appointed king. 39. Saul almost did the Lord s will. How much credit do we get for almost doing the Lord s will?

39 One reason Saul failed to obey God was that he feared the people. To what extent does what others think affect our religious beliefs and conduct?

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