Samuel
– A Lifetime
Serving God
·
Chapter
13 describes a battle with the Philistines. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait
for him at Gilgal (10:8), and Samuel would perform the sacrifices before the
battle (7:9) Knowing the enemy was about, and angry, Saul's men grew afraid and
restless (13:6,7)
·
Apparently
to hurry things along, Saul took things into his own hands (13:8,9,11,12)
·
Saul's
kingship was not to be separate from God's laws, and Samuel tells Saul there
will be consequences for these actions (13:13,14)
·
God
declares it is time to punish the Amalekites. This goes all the way back to
Exod. 17:8-16 and Deut. 25:18,19. These were a wicked people. Note Exod. 17:14,
and then I Sam. 15:2,3
·
We
should look at this practice of "devotion to the Lord". See Lev.
27:28,29 and Deut. 13:12-18. What was the purpose behind this harsh practice?
The word 'destroy' in I Sam. 15:3 refers to this kind of 'devotion'.
·
Saul
sets out to accomplish this task (15:4-7). However, Saul comes up woefully
short in fully following the law. (15:8,9) They were not to touch at all
that which was devoted to destruction…
·
A
telling instance of God portraying emotion (15:10). This is the second time
Samuel has received this kind of news, and he is troubled by it (15:11). Why do
you think Samuel was affected to this extent?
·
Notice
what Saul has done for himself (15:12). Saul he claims he has followed out his
instructions (15:13). But Samuel's first question is rather direct and to the
point (15:14)
·
At
this point, Saul begins to rationalize and make excuses. (15:15-24)
·
Samuel
does go with Saul, but only to finish what Saul did not do (15:32,33)
·
This
kind of behavior and attitude saddens the Lord (15:35)
·
Samuel
is told to anoint the one who will be the next king (16:1). Samuel is worried
about Saul's reaction (16:2).
·
Unlike
one of the reasons for choosing Saul, the Lord has not chosen someone who looks
like a king. God has an important thought for us all (16:7).
#1) Living a godly life does not
mean we will always be liked and loved by everyone, even other Christians
#2) One of the most subtle sins
that leads to spiritual deterioration is pride
#3) When we are veering from the
path of righteousness, God normally shows His love by sending warnings
#4) Even partial obedience and a
lack of repentance eventually leads to serious consequences
#5) Pride and arrogance are
usually manifested in threats, deception, rationalization, and outright lying
For
next week read Exodus 1:1 - 2:10
