Saul Rejected as King

17Samuel 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. 18And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ 19Why 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. 21The 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.”

22But Samuel replied:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

as much as in obeying the Lord?

To obey is better than sacrifice,

and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

23For 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.” (1 Samuel 15) 

ant

Thoughts: Saul was rejected as king for disobedience to the Lord.  He did three things: 1) He could not wait on the Lord or Samuel and took things into his own hands and committed the sacrifice- like he was a priest (he wasn't).  2) he did not obey the Lord about the Amalekites.  Saul allowed the soldiers to take some plunder that was supposed to be destroyed in dedication to the Lord.  He did not totally destroy the people.  Later, a descendant left by Saul (Haman) tried to kill all the Israelites.  3) He consulted a medium/witch- though he had outlawed them.  Each time Samuel confronted Saul, the king made up excuses to justify his actions.  He could not repent or even say he was sorry.  Pride destroyed Saul, and it can destroy our faith as well.

Prayer: Lord, let me listen.  To obey you is the best I can do.