1 Sam 15
(1) The nature of the attackIt was the order from the LORD v.1,2. Therefore, Saul's job was to obey the will of the LORD, not his. That's why it was so important that he did what the LORD said.
Why did the LORD order Saul to destroy the Amalekites completely?
v.2b ‘I carefully observed how the Amalekites opposed Israel along the way when Israel came up from Egypt.
(BDB) [carefully observed]=pay attention to, observe (with care, practical interest)
Reflection: God cared very much how other people treat His people. We know whatever happened to us was carefully observed by our LORD. We can trust Him and thank Him for His love to us.
(2) The disobedient
The command was to destroy everything and do not spare v.3. The same words, "destroy," and "spare," are found again in v.8,9.
v.9 However, Saul and the army spared Agag, along with the best of the flock, the cattle, the fatlings, and the lambs, as well as everything else that was of value. They were not willing to slaughter [destroy] them.
In other words, they did the exact opposite of what the LORD told them to do.
Reflection: Obedient is highly regarded in the Bible, but not among Christians, or Christian parents today.
(3) The rebellion was seen as the rejection.
(3) The rebellion was seen as the rejection.
15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and presumption is like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has rejected you as king.”
The Scriptures repeated twice that Saul was anointed or chose to be king by God v.1, 17. When Saul disobeyed God, God could take his position away v.23, 35.
From the perspective of God, He did not just reject Saul without any emotion. The LORD told Samuel that He regretted. I believed that it was more than a change of mind, but filled with grief because Samuel, who was close to God's heart, was angry and he cried out to the LORD all night when he heard that from God v.11.
and presumption is like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has rejected you as king.”
The Scriptures repeated twice that Saul was anointed or chose to be king by God v.1, 17. When Saul disobeyed God, God could take his position away v.23, 35.
From the perspective of God, He did not just reject Saul without any emotion. The LORD told Samuel that He regretted. I believed that it was more than a change of mind, but filled with grief because Samuel, who was close to God's heart, was angry and he cried out to the LORD all night when he heard that from God v.11.
The description of Samuel being angry was repeated again in the conclusion remark of this chapter.
15:35 Until the day he died Samuel did not see Saul again. Samuel did, however, mourn for Saul, but the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Reflection: Think about God when we sin and rebel against Him. In the NT, Paul told us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. When we sin we grieve the heart of God. But Saul only looks at how people reacted.
15:35 Until the day he died Samuel did not see Saul again. Samuel did, however, mourn for Saul, but the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Reflection: Think about God when we sin and rebel against Him. In the NT, Paul told us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. When we sin we grieve the heart of God. But Saul only looks at how people reacted.
v.1-9
Bright spots
1. The seriousness of the order
Now listen to what the LORD says v.1
Here is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has said v.2
2. Why did Saul need to listen to the order
I was the one the LORD sent to anoint you as king over his people Israel v.1
He was king because of the LORD Who set him up as one.
3. The clarity of the order
the reason for wiping out-I carefully observed how the Amalekites opposed Israel along the way when Israel came up from Egypt
the extend of the wiping out-everything, dont spare them, put them to death v.3
Even though 400 years had passed God did not forget about how other people treated His people. It was clearly a judgment to their sins, not a choice that Saul should make for them
Deut 25:17-19
17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you on your way from Egypt, 18 how they met you along the way and cut off all your stragglers in the rear of the march when you were exhausted and tired; they were unafraid of God. 19 So when the LORD your God gives you relief from all the enemies who surround you in the land he is giving you as an inheritance, you must wipe out the memory of the Amalekites from under heaven—do not forget!
Perhaps, I may not understand fully how the sins of the Amalekites forefather affected their descendants. However, think about those Israelites who struck down by the Amalekites ancestors. How can justice be done? God had given them time until when God gave Israel relief from their enemies then the judgment came.
Anyways, Saul disobeyed God not because he doubted the reason why God wanted to kill them. He spared them out of his own value.
4. He spared the king, the best of the flock, everything else that was of value. He slaughter everything that was despised and worthless.
What he did make sense, but out of the eyes for the keeper of the spoilers. But not on the basis God's judgment.
Reflections
Am I like Saul? Miss the point of God's ministry and tried to do things which "make sense" to me or other people. Do I miss the point from God's angle? Why do I want children to come and join our Bible Club? Why do I want people to keep quiet during worship and not talking loudly to other people? Why do I mind people who rather miss the SS and talking in the lobby or "working" in the kitchen?
v.10-35
Bright spots
1. The totally different evaluation of the situation by Samuel and Saul. Either Saul thought he could deceive Samuel and God, or he was a man living in a dream.
(Samuel) v.11 "I regret..." Samuel became angry and he cried out to the LORD all that night.
(Saul) v.12 he is setting up a monument for himself..., "I have fulfilled the LORD’s orders.”
(Saul) v.15 the army spared the best
(Samuel) v.16 “Wait a minute! Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” v.17...The LORD chose you, v.18 The LORD sent you...v.19 Why haven’t you obeyed the LORD?...You have done what is wrong in the LORD’s estimation
2. Samuel always looked at things from the angle of the LORD, while Saul looked at the people and followed them (or he used them as an excuse). While the LORD's word was not important to him, he claimed that he was obedient to Him.
(Saul) v.20 But I have obeyed the LORD!...v.21 But the army took...the best
(Samuel) v.22 Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience...obedience is better...pay attention is better
(Saul) v.24 I have sinned, for I have disobeyed what the LORD commanded and your words as well. For I was afraid of the army, and I obeyed their voice.
Reflection
Do we just claim that we are obedient, but we disregard His Word and His heart?
Do we claim that we are obedient, but we are obedient to man's voice and follow them?
Questions
v.1-21
1. attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ ”
v.9 9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle
Audrey
v.15 Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle"
2. v.12 There he [Saul] has set up a monument in his own honor
11:12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”
13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.”
3. He was deceiving himself. His obedience did not mean obeying God's command and Samuel's words v.24. He redefined the word.
4. No.
v.17-35
1. "the army spared the best of the flocks and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD our God. But everything else we slaughtered."
2. Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice;
paying attention is better than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and presumption is like the evil of idolatry
3. for Saul had rejected the LORD’s orders, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel!”
4. I have sinned.
5. He was killed by Samuel
Biblical Studies Press. (2019). The NET Bible (Second Edition, 1 Sa 15:26). Thomas Nelson.
Biblical Studies Press. (2019). The NET Bible (Second Edition, 1 Sa 15:23). Thomas Nelson.
Biblical Studies Press. (2019). The NET Bible (Second Edition, 1 Sa 15:22). Thomas Nelson.
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