The Sin of King SaulBy John R. Gentry |
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Saul was appointed by God as the first king over Israel (cf. 1 Samuel 9-10). Early in Saul’s reign, he is described as a good man who followed God. However, in 1 Samuel 13 all of that began to change. Saul began to “not entreat the favor of YHVH” and “to act foolishly” by “not keeping the commandment of YHVH” (1 Samuel 13.12-13). As a result Samuel warned Saul saying, “Your kingdom will not continue…because you did not keep that which YHVH commanded you” (1 Samuel 13.14). Saul’s rebellion continued to worsen until “YHVH repented that he had made Saul king over Israel” (1 Samuel 15.35, cf. v11; 16.14). In 1 Samuel 15.2-3 God said, “I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him in the way, when he came up out of Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and devote to complete destruction all that they have, and do not spare them; but slay both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.” Saul gathered together the fighting men of Israel (v4). “And Saul smote the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, that is before Egypt” (v7). However, “Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fattened calves, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not devote them to complete destruction: but everything that was vile and worthless, that they devoted to complete destruction” (v9). Now the question is, “Did Saul obey God and do what was commanded of him?” In the words of God, “I regret that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments” (v11). But notice the words of Saul: “I have performed the commandment of YHVH” (v13). Why would he say that? How could he justify his actions, when God clearly said Saul did NOT obey him? Samuel asked the same thing: “Then what is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen I hear?” (v14). We might say, “Busted!” In an effort to justify himself, Saul attempted to blame the people for sparing the animals (v15). He went as far as saying “I have obeyed the voice of YHVH, and have gone the way which YHVH sent me…and have devoted the Amalekites to complete destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been devoted to complete destruction, to sacrifice unto YHVH your God in Gilgal” (v21). Samuel replied, “Does YHVH delight as much in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of YHVH? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination and arrogance is as iniquity and idolatry” (vv22-23). Then Samuel delivered God’s verdict: “Because you have rejected the word of YHVH, he has also rejected you from being king” (v23, cf. v26). Saul attempted to apologize (vv24-25). But God had made his decision. Saul had not obeyed God’s commandments. What a valuable lesson for us today! Did you notice that Saul did indeed do most of what God commanded him? He had killed most of the people and most of the animals. And did you notice that the people planned to worship God by sacrificing the best of the Amalekite animals? Surely it is good to worship God, is it not? But you see, we must do all that God commands of us and do it in the exact way he commands. If we add to, take away, or change his commandments in any way, even if we intend to do something good (in our eyes), we cannot say that we have obeyed God (cf. Deuteronomy 4.2; Proverbs 30.6). Listen to these scriptures: Not everyone that says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say unto me in that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by your name, and by your name cast out demons, and by your name do many mighty works?” And then I will profess unto them, “I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7.21-23) And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3.17) |
That which has been is what will be, |
