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.
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