Bible Verse Synopsis 5-30-25
1st Samuel 15:
This chapter opens with Samuel having a message from God for Saul. The message says to go and smite Amalek, “and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not.” - Verse 3. This meant to destroy everyone and everything. Men, women, children, and animals. Slay it all. This is a firm instruction. Will Saul follow it or will he miss his chance again?
Saul gathered his army and took them forth unto a city of Amalek. Verse 7 tells us "And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until you come to Shur, that is over against Egypt." Verse 8 says "And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword." Saul and his men spare the best of the oxen and the sheep and the lambs. Do you see what Saul has done here? He directly disobeyed God. No man or animal was to be spared, yet the best of the rest of them has been saved. This paints the wrong picture. If condemned to death, man intervenes of his own free will, he will suffer the same fate. God had already decided, Saul has no place keeping Agag and his best animals for himself. Saul, you poor man. Let us not be like Saul. Follow the Lord and listen to His instruction. What has He told you to do?
God speaks to Samuel to tell him of what Saul has done. Samuel "cried unto the Lord all night." - Verse 11. Samuel felt the pain of this and knew what it would mean for Saul. Saul continues on past Carmel (where Samuel is) unto Gilgal. Samuel raced to catch Saul and his army. Saul greets Samuel saying, "I have performed the Commandment of the Lord." - Verse 13. Samuel upon hearing and seeing the animal or spoils returning, knew this to be only be partial truth. Saul passes the buck to the people in Verse 15 and in Verse 21. The only one to blame was himself, again. Saul has failed twice to wholly follow the Word of God. Following in partiality is like believing when it fits your life. God should be paramount to us always. Our belief in Christ and the Cross should be constant and without a doubt. That is the commandment He has given us. Are we going to follow wholly or partially, like Saul?
Samuel shares what God has told him with Saul and they recount their stories between them. Saul tries to save face as the spoils are meant to be sacrifices. Samuel brings the hammer to a certain extent in Verse 22: "Has the Lord as great delight in Burnt Offerings and Sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, HE has also rejected you from being king." - Verse 23. This summarizes the points made in the former 2 paragraphs. The independence of man dooms him in his attempt to choose what God wants, instead of listening. It also shows the delight God gets when we listen. It isn't said, but if God is fraught when we don't listen to Him in totality, He must be overjoyed when we do. Can you bring God the glory of His desires? Or will your dynasty end before it begins, just as Saul's does?
Saul seems to repent of his sin and asks Samuel to pardon him for his wrongdoing. In Verse 25 - "that I may worship the Lord." Will he really? Why would Saul change his tune so quickly, besides to save face? Verse 26 - "for you have rejected the Word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel." Saul never did turn to God. God knows and tells Samuel. When we reject God, we reject his blessings as well. Do not succumb to the many pulls of this life. Instead, relish the opportunity to live with God eternally. Can you see the path of God? Saul is a good example of how narrow the path truly is.
Samuel turned to leave Saul and Saul rent Samuel's mantle. "the Lord has rent the kingdom of Israel from you this day." - Verse 28. The blessings of God have been removed. Now Saul is but a man. Samuel goes to leave again and Saul finally realizes what he has done. Verse 30 shows his true repentance. Saul does worship the Lord in verse 31. This might be the first time we see Saul do something for God instead of for himself. What do you do for Him?
Samuel takes Agag to Gilgal and has him executed and hewn into pieces before God to complete the command given to Saul. Samuel and Saul never see each other again as the Lord had cut Saul off. There can be a parallel drawn between Agag and our things of value on Earth. Many of our things are done in spite of the Lord and His commands, yet we cherish these acts or possessions. We must hew these items and actions into pieces so that we can move past them as Samuel and the Israelites move past Agag and the Amalekites. What things do you need to hew into pieces in His name?