I Samuel 17:38-58 - David Versus Goliath

I Samuel 17:38-58

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted." (verse 45)

Message: David Versus Goliath

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: There is a battle Southwest of Jerusalem in the city of Socoh that the Philistines have initiated with Israel. The two areas are on the side of a mountain with land in between and Goliath has made his declaration that if anyone fights him then the victor will be served, meaning the other party will serve the other. David was not even present as a member of the military but was back in Jerusalem tending to the sheep and then providing food for his brothers, but upon arriving on the scene and seeing Goliath makes the bold statement that he could fight him because of his past experience but more notably because of the Lord defeating His foes. 

In verse 38, Saul tries to clothe Saul with garments for battle, but David took them off (v. 39). Instead he took a stick and five stones in his hand from the brook with his sling (v.40). Goliath came to him with his shield bearer in front of him. The Philistine speaks to David, cursing him stating his "flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field" (verse 44).

David responds that he comes in the name of the Lord. "The Lord will deliver [me]...I will strike you down...And i will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel." And to this day the earth knows of the story of David and Goliath. "For the battle is the Lord's." 

"And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground" (verse 49). 

David killed him with Goliath's sword. Philistines fled. The men of Israel pursued the Philistines and they lay dead. Israel plundered their camps. David brought Samson's head to King Saul. Saul seem to not realize in that moment that this was Jesse's son. David let him know. (v. 50-58)

David modeled a trust in the Lord, something that Saul struggled with. Saul may have tried to do things for the Lord, but he seemed to lack trust and lacked giving God the glory. People marvel at the sling and the stone, but it was only to show that the power is in the Lord. The sling and stone were still necessary as we still need to arm ourselves. We don't go into fights with nothing. 

Summary: David defeats Goliath stating the battle is the Lord's and brings his head before Saul and declares he is the son of Jesse.

Promise: Look past what looks powerful and trust that God will conquer our foes. 

Prayer: O God, you are great and mighty and powerful. We can rest in You always to take care of the foes in our lives. It may not be immediate but You will conquer and You will prevail and help me now to proclaim You always and put my trust in You can speak of Your power in my life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

TABLETALK - April 2019

2019 looks at the history of Old Testament Israel showing that the failures and successes of the Israelites led to the coming of Jesus, the Savior who redeems us from sin and empowers us by His Spirit to bear spiritual fruit in obedience to Him. 

January 2019 (October 25, 2024 - January 23, 2025) - Joshua 1-14 - How the Lord brought Israelites into Canaan

February 2019 (January 24, 2025 - July 6, 2025) - Joshua 15 to Judges 11 - God calls his people to finish driving out the inhabitants of Canaan, but they fail. God disciplines them and saves them from destruction. 

March 2019 (July 7, 2025 - August 24, 2025) - Judges 12 to I Samuel 1 - God's people may fall into great sin, but there is always a righteous remnant. 

April 2019 (August 25, 2025 - January 20, 2026) - I Samuel 2 to I Samuel 17 - Israel transitions from the eras of the judges to the monarchy. And also see Israel's ongoing conflict with the Philistines. 

I Samuel 2 - Hannah's Song and Eli's Sons - Hannah praises God and then there is the contrast of Eli's sons who are worthless and do not follow the Lord compared to Samuel that is dedicated to the Lord for service. 

I Samuel 3:1 - 4:1 - The Lord Calls Samuel - Samuel, unlike Eli’s sons, is growing with the Lord God, as a prophet, and bringing God’s word to Israel. 

I Samuel 4:12-22 - The Glory Departs from Israel - Eli, after 40 years as judge, dies after hearing his sons have died, Israel has been defeated and the ark is taken by Philistines. Phinehas wife has a son, Ichabad meaning, "The Glory Departs from Israel." 

I Samuel 5 - Yahweh Versus Dagon - The Philistines took the ark to Dagon, their god as a sort of victory but Yahweh conquers Dagon and other cities for possessing the ark of God. 

I Samuel 6 - The Ark Returns to Israel - The Philistines turn over the ark, directed to by making a guilt offering of tumors and mice and it is received by offerings from the people as well. 

I Samuel 7 - Israel Puts Away Foreign Gods - Samuel leads the people to restoration from the hand of the Philistines. The people respond by putting away their foreign Gods and Samuel removes the evil, restores the good and God responds and makes a way for victory against the Philistines. 

I Samuel 8 - Israel Sinfully Demands a King - At the end of Samuel's life, the people want a new king of their own doing. God provides a king through Samuel, not giving them what they need, but what they want. 

I Samuel 9:1-2 - Saul, Son of Kish - God gives the people what they want in a leader - Saul - tall and handsome. 

I Samuel 9:3-27 - Samuel Meets Saul - Saul's father lost donkeys and sent Saul to find them. He ends up in a city and is led to a seer which is Samuel who is there to give a special word from the Lord to Saul.

I Samuel 10:1-16 - The Anointing of Saul - Samuel anoints Saul with oil as Saul is still to do the will of God in humble reliance on the Spirit of God. But given the opportunity to testify of God's work, Saul hides it. 

I Samuel 10:17-27 - A King in Hiding - Saul had been chosen by God and presented before the people and yet at this choosing, Saul cannot be found and appears to be hiding.

I Samuel 11 - Saul's Initial Witness - Saul experiences success in rallying a large contingent of people throughout Israel to defeat the Ammonites at Jabesh-Gilead and then is crowned king in Gilgal. 

I Samuel 12 - Hope for Israel - Samuel gives a beautiful summary of our life - we are to serve the Lord with all of our heart. We are the people of God. 

I Samuel 13 - God Rejects Saul's Kingdom - Saul is to wait 7 days for Samuel as the Philistines are approaching him in battle, but he does not and offers sacrifices himself, with the result that the Lord rejected Saul's kingdom. 

I Samuel 14:1-23 - Jonathan Defeats the Philistines - The people had in Saul the king they wanted and yet despite being called by God, anointed and set apart as king, in this instance it was his son that initiated the defeat of the Philistines. 

I Samuel 14:24-46 - Saul's Growing Alienation - Saul goes back and forth between his own way and seeking the Lord. He has to be reminded to speak to the Lord prior to making a decision. His decisions cause trouble among many. 

I Samuel 14:45-15:9 - Military Victories and Spiritual Loss - An overview of the victories Saul has been involved in is given and he is commissioned by Samuel to eradicate the Amalekites, he almost does it complete, but makes a few adjustments to fit his liking. 

I Samuel 15:10-35 - The Importance of Obedience - Saul gets told that the Lord regretted making Him king because he lacked complete obedience. 

I Samuel 16:1-13 - The Anointing of David - After Saul, the Lord shows Samuel perhaps an unlikely successor for king in David, as someone chosen by God and seen by God in His way.

I Samuel 16:14-23 - David's Ministry to Saul - David has been chosen, but for now he will play his harp, making Saul well in his court, after being terrorized by an evil spirit that God allows. 

I Samuel 17:1-37 - The Threat of Goliath - The Philistines have come to do battle and Goliath challenges anyone to fight him with the winner resulting in those people serving the other. David in coming to provide food for his brothers declares confidence that he can defeat Goliath because of God. 

Theology of the Cross - Buck Parsons - Satan is set on trying to destroy us and getting us to lose the astonishment of Christ and Him crucified. If we don't talk about the cross, then we don't talk of sin, the wrath of God, the holiness of God and God's eternal condemnation in hell of all those who do not repent at the foot of the cross. In the cross, we truly grasp the love of God for sinners. 

Federal Headship - Guy Prentiss Waters - I have studied this idea before through my time in Romans. I looked back at an entry I did in 2014 where I contrasted the notion that in life people are good versus the declaration in Romans that none are righteous. Then in 2020 when I was studying Romans, I looked at Romans 3 again. This time though mentioning that Romans 2 and 3 was Paul speaking to the Jew and letting them know that although they had a special status of being a Jew, this identification or status did not excuse their sin. As such in this article, Guy Waters echoes Romans 3:9 and the assertion that "with the exception of Jesus Christ, every human is by nature unrighteous, guilty, and worth of death." This idea of headship I believe is the premise that as men and women now we have inherited a condition or been imputed a condition and that is traced back to Adam. Adam is "the first man" and Jesus is "the last Adam" (I Corinthians 15:45). As such "every human being in every time and place...stands in representative relation either to Adam or to Jesus (I Cor. 15:47-49). The represented which I and every other human being is as well possesses the same as the representative. In Romans 5:19 the word "made" is more precisely "appointed." Waters states, "those whom Adam represents belong to a new legal category (sinners) and because of Jesus' obedience His people are granted entrance into a new legal category (righteous). [But there is a difference that this article does not mention at first glance. Jesus' obedience grants people the opportunity to enter the state of righteousness through faith alone. We are all legally sinners but we are not all legally righteous. The access of the righteousness is through faith. Thus, in Romans and elsewhere is the distinction of people being "in Christ."] Just as our legal status as sinners is imputed to us with no work of our own, our position "in Christ" is also imputed to us through no work of our own. That we are sinners is sort of "not fair" and that we are made righteous is sort of "not fair." The result is Jesus is just and we are justified from Him by our faith in Him (Romans 3:26). Our response now is to praise Him for what He has done and point others to Him for what He can do in them.  

The Twofold Obedience of Christ - Gregory K. Beale - What is the meaning of our union with Christ? In speaking of the imputation of Christ's righteousness we go to I Cor. 1:30, "But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption." We share in these attributes, but we do not have the same as Christ possesses, but rather these godly traits have a beginning in us and they are increasingly characterized in us. That Christ has been redeemed refers to His deliverance from death and liberation from the bondage to the powers of Satan in the resurrection rather than the release from sin. As people we do not boast of our own ability here, but of the benefits resulting from our representation by Christ. 

Fighting for the Prize - Dr. Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer - As a Christian, we are at war with sin. While we want to give up at times, eternal life is the goal through God's grace and saving faith. Keep going. It is worth it. This eternal life is experienced also in the present. It is difficult. It is not meant to be easy. We persevere because He is worthy - "Worthy is the Lamb (Rev. 5:12)." He is God's son, humbling himself to be raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God and one day to judge the World. Keep fighting for Him. Lord, help me in this to keep fighting for You. Stay at the forefront of my mind. Don't let me get distracted by everything else going on in this world and even my life. Keep the main thing, the main thing. 

The Unchurched - Augustus Lopes - Lord God, there are many Christians that are not present in church and I wish they were. They are trying to find God outside of the church. Lord, you established your church and all are to have community, despite that there is no perfect church. Lord, I thank you for being a part of group where I am taught, corrected, admonished, and confirmed and when I stray, rebuked. Your Holy Spirit is the one usually doing this work as people I think struggle, even me, from taking these bold stances. The Church is necessary. Throughout Scripture you show us this with the vine and the branches (John 15), compared to the head and the body (Eph. 1:22-23), a husband and wife (5:22-33), and house and stone on which it is built (I Peter 2:4-8). The church has been present throughout the ages, establishing creeds, and the words of the Bible. I am to continue to make it work. Communion is needed in the company of a church. Lord, we need this accountability. I thank you for the Holy Spirit speaking in our lives, and pray that people would get back to church and accept the accountability and teaching and guidance it offers. 

I Samuel 17:1-37 - The Threat of Goliath

I Samuel 17:1-37

Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philstine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" (verse 26)

Message: The Threat of Goliath

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Saul is still king over Israel with David residing in his court. Chapter 17 begins with the word that the Philistines have gathered for battle. [Found this great map here showing the place where the Philistines have gathered - Socoh which is in Judah, below Jerusalem (which resides in the tribe of Benjamin)]. Philistines camped on one side of the mountain and Israel on the other mountain side with a valley in between (v.1-3). 

Enter Goliath, about 9 feet 9 inches tall and had armor weighing 125 pounds. He had on shin guards and a javelin (v.4-7). 

Goliath stands and announces himself as the Philistine and asks Israel for a man to come to him. A fight is offered with the winner becoming servants of the other (v. 8-10). Israel was afraid (v.11). 

In the next 8 verses an overview of David is given. He has 8 sons and is the son of Jesse and lives in Bethlehem (15 miles to Socoh, the place of battle so probably a days journey). "David went back and forth from Saul (in Socoh) to tend his father's flock at Bethlehem (verse 15)." David isn't even thought to be included in the battle but Jesse's other sons are present. Jesse instructs David to bring food to the camp for his brothers. 

The next 6 verses (v.20-25) David arrives and heads to the battle line to greet his brothers. Goliath speaks again the words he spoke before and David hears them. Men of Israel tell David that whoever defeats this man will be extremely honored and respected and receive the king's daughter. David responds in verse 26, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?" David is marveled that anyone would have that audacity to think they could defeat anyone represented by the Living God. 

From the moment David arrives throughout all of the conversations he has confidence in himself, his experience as a fighter, recalling when he fought a lion taken a lamb from his flock. He used his bare hands. It is in David's words (verse 32) that reflects his confidence, "Let no man's heart fail on account of him."  He tells Saul that he is able to fight the Philistine and Saul says to him in verse 37, "Go, and may the Lord be with you." 

Verse 26 are the first recorded words of David. And his words declare his confidence in God. Previously, it is God that has chosen David without any words or works shown by David. But when David does speak he proclaims his confidence in God. His first description is a man after God's own heart. He is the unlikely hero. 

As I have studied Saul, he seems like an everyday leader. On the surface there isn't much wrong with him, but Samuel does reflect him as being not too confident in God and having to be reminded to look to God for help and guidance. Contrast is David who is chosen by God and immediately reflects confidence in God. Saul was not anti-God by any means. He tried to please God, but perhaps his pleasing was more defined by himself. 

Summary: The Philistines have come to do battle and Goliath challenges anyone to fight him with the winner resulting in those people serving the other. David in coming to provide food for his brothers declares confidence that he can defeat Goliath because of God. 

Promise: God can deliver us from His enemies and we need to have complete confidence in Him alone. 

Prayer: God, you choose your workers and You have clearly chosen some for your purposes while others do not work for your glory completely and yet you sill can work through their lives for your good purpose. I think all people hope that they would be on your side. I pray that I am like a David, chosen by You, after your own heart, reflecting You. Be the strength in my life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 16:14-23 - David's Ministry to Saul

I Samuel 16:14-23

So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him. (verse 23)

Message: David's Ministry to Saul

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: In the last lesson or the first part of Chapter 16, the next king is chosen or set apart for the purpose of God's conduit for Him to work. This person will be David, chosen by God, a man after his heart. Not one that is chosen because of outward appearance or stature, but because of something God sees - the heart of a man. 

In this passage of Chapter 16, there seems to be a struggle or journey of Samuel. This book has been about him and God working through Him. He is a sort of a mentor or teacher, not necessarily the focal point though. God uses Samuel to anoint Saul, but now David. In the last lesson he grieved over Saul (verse 1). 

Today's passage begins with some startling words, "an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him (Saul) (verse 14)." David is now anointed. Saul is not. God allows an evil spirit to enter into Saul, to stir up in him unruly emotions - envy, rage, despair. Similar words are in Romans 1:24 when Paul says, "God gave them over." Saul was selfish and not thinking first and foremost of the Lord in his life and ways and instead himself. So God allows evil to overtake him. The Spirit of the Lord was with him but now it has departed. 

In verse 16, with the playing of the harp "you will be well." Interesting how there is a medicinal way of music in helping us. I love this. I love music and it helps me all of the time, calming me, relaxing me and giving me joy. I am so thankful for music that is played to express love for God. It seems like it has always had this effect on us as I watch movies of times past. Throughout scripture David speaks of a new song being played. Interesting that God chose in David to play music in order to remove the evil spirit. Saul knows he need this (v.17) and wants David to be located (v.18). Saul loves David (v. 21) and it is the music that has the evil spirit depart from Saul (v. 23). 

Saul continues to be king. David is the king in waiting and for now serves in Saul's court. 

Summary: David has been chosen, but for now he will play his harp, making Saul well in his court, after being terrorized by an evil spirit that God allows. 

Promise: From Tabletalk - "God controls even those things that can harm us and we can be confident that He can work them for our final good."

Prayer: Lord, I am so thankful for music. It is a big part of my life and I know as it has been said that music has a way communicating to us like nothing else. It soothes me and helps me very often and gives me a good feeling. With music by my side, I often feel like whatever work I am doing it can help me get through it. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 16:1-13 - The Anointing of David

I Samuel 16:1-13

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his outward appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (verse 7)

Message: The Anointing of David

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Now that the Lord has regretted Saul as King (15:35), he tells Samuel to not grieve (v.1) over something God has done. I think that's an important idea that sometimes we dwell on something that is over and complete. God has made a decision so we simply need to move on. 

Samuel fears his life. But The Lord plans a ceremony to show Saul who will choose - a sacrifice. God has "selected a king for Himself among his (Jesse the Bethlehemite) sons (verse 1)." 

No more playing the game of letting Israel select their king that ended up not being a man that will follow God. Israel had selected someone that looked good, was tall. He had the right appearance. The Lord confirms that He chooses people based upon their heart (verse 7). I think this is the first time I have read verse 7 and realized the first part of the verse was speaking about Saul. 

Samuel arrives in Bethlehem (verse 4) and invited Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice (v.5). It says in verse 5 in the NASB he consecrated those present. KJV says sanctified. To sanctify is "By the usual ceremonial purifications, such as washing the body and clothes, the outward symbols of spiritual preparation" (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges). 

As the sons come in and come before Samuel, each son is presented - Abinadab, Shammah - in total "7 of his sons passed before Samuel (verse 10)."

Then it is discovered that the youngest is not even present. The youngest wasn't even thought to be included. And yet the youngest is who the Lord has his eye on. But he showed up and received the anointing by Samuel "in the midst of his brothers. (verse 13)" 

A lot went in to set David apart as king. All of the initial work, consecrating the gathering didn't even include the one person God set aside to be his king. But it was done. So far there isn't any mention of what David thought of this. But God has chosen him.

Summary: After Saul, the Lord shows Samuel perhaps an unlikely successor for king in David, as someone chosen by God and seen by God in His way, 

Promise: The Lord looks on the heart when He evaluates a person.

Prayer: O God, you are Holy and True. Thank you for reminding me the way you look at people and value them - looking at the heart. I want to have a good heart that honors You. Thank you for choosing me and calling Me to be Yours. Be glorified in me. Thank you for the people you have placed in my path. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 11:13 - Keep a Secret

Proverbs 11:13

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. 

Message: Keep a secret

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: New Living Translation - "A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence." Why say talebearer when most translations say gossip? In the King James a talebearer is contrasted with a faithful spirit. Talebearer is a stronger word. Saw this online, " A gossip is a broader term for someone who engages in casual, unconfirmed talk about others, often trivial, speculative, or critical, aiming to build themselves up or spread negativity, but the talebearer is the active secret-revealer within that gossip." So the talebearer is more direct and has more of a purpose to spread secretes. Thus, the verse states, "talebearer reveals secrets." The gossip is often spreading information that is unconfirmed. 

I think this can be a hard line to draw at times. As a manager, I know more things than most. It can be hard to know things and then what to share with others, who perhaps are of no help with that matter. I notice this in many circles. Someone reached out to me this week about info on the President. It was one thing I think for the newspaper to report on events happening, but something else for people to then comment incessantly on those events and speculating. I suppose I wonder some times the time we spend investing in activities like this that have not much lasting value and are just speculation. 

Then in contrast is one who is trustworthy, so it is a person that people can share anything with, private matters and they know the word won't get around. We all have events in our lives that are a struggle for us and we need people to confide in. I appreciate the men in my life that struggle with things in life and we have one another, but those matters need to be kept a secret. I need to be seen as a trustworthy person. 

The one with a faithful spirit know how to control one's tongue. 

Prayer: Lord, my speech -- it seems like a constant issue and I suppose it is as I learn information and then knowing what to share, what to talk about. I suppose it is our past time to talk about things. And yet I wonder how much we should. I can read articles, engage in work activities, listen to music, serve others, and do those things, but simply sitting back and talking of others, I need to watch out for this in my life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 15:10-35 - The Importance of Obedience

I Samuel 15:10-35

22 Samuel said,

“Does the Lord have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

As in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than a sacrifice,

[And] to pay attention is [better] than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is [as reprehensible] as the sin of divination,

And insubordination is [as reprehensible] as false religion and idolatry.

Since you have rejected the word of the Lord,

He has also rejected you from [being] king.”

(v. 22-23)

Message: The Importance of Obedience

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: In Chapter 15, Samuel tells Saul that the Lord had sent him to say to Saul that he should punish the Amalekites for the evil oppression they did toward Israel. Saul sets out to do this, but he doesn't do all that the Lord says and spares Kenites and the King Agag. 

Once again, in verse 10, "the word of the Lord came to Samuel" and he was regretting Saul as king because he "has not carried out My commands." All must be obeyed not partially. Partial obedience is seen as no obedience. This is hard and tough but even a little sin or Jesus would say, "a little leaven leavens or spoils the whole lump (I Corinthians 5:6)." We need to be about complete obedience. 

But in verse 13, Samuel believes he has been obedient and tells Saul as much. And yet the animals that he has spared in conquering the Amalekites are crying out, basically showing him something is wrong (v. 14). Saul in sparing them now says it is for the purpose "to sacrifice to the Lord your God. (v. 15)" 

Saul reviews with Samuel what has occurred up to this point. "The Lord anointed You king over Israel (v.17)." "And the Lord sent you on a mission...and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites (v.18)." So why did he spare some spoil (v.19)? 

Saul once again thinks he has done right (v.20). In verse 21-23 Samuel declares before Saul "to obey is better than sacrifice" and he tells Saul that "rebellion is as the sin of divination." In other words, we can't be partial in our obedience. Then Saul comes back and while he says he has sinned in verse 24 he brings up the people once again, shifting the blame to them, rather than completely on himself. He asks for a pardon.

Samuel said to Saul, "No." As Samuel is leaving, Saul seizes the edge of his robe. Saul pronounces this as a sign in that "the Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel (v. 28)." 

Samuel judges Agag and hewed him to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal (v. 33). "Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel (v. 35)."  

I can’t help myself but to have some sympathy for Saul, because in the way, he thought he was being obedient. But Samuel states that because he compromised that therefore his obedience was incomplete and therefore any good that Saul thought he had done was not seen. I suppose it is a good reminder of our need for grace and redemption. We are too often trained in the idea that we are expecting God to grade us on a curve. 

It still seems like, though the Lord regretted it, just as he sort of regretted mankind in sending Noah to lead a flood of the world that soul was still chosen of the Lord. Yes, our evil ways or a disappointment, clearly. Obedience or disobedience, does not make us more worthy or less worthy. God chooses his people and such as people on high because of that choice.

Summary: Saul gets told that the Lord regretted making Him king because he lacked complete obedience. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Going through the motions—even if they are the right motions—is insufficient to fully please the Lord. He does not want our sacrifices if we do not intend to obey Him in other matters."

Prayer: God, I must admit, this is a tough lesson of obedience, maybe because of how I've been trained, on the curve and to do the best I can, but the bottom line is your grace covers me. I just wonder if it covered Saul. I have to think it did because you did work through Him. And maybe like him you have regrets about me. I suppose I have those regrets as well. Glory be to God for your mercy and love. For loving me always. And still bringing me to be together with you forever in paradise. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.