First Samuel

First Samuel was taught by Dr. James Modlish

 

Chapter Fifteen

 

Saul continues his slide into spiritual oblivion. One must ask oneself why a man that had all that Saul had would sink to such depths of depravity. Although the worst is yet to come for Saul, we learn many things about the sinfulness of man, the way he "accuses and excuses" (Rom. 2:15). Quickly, we ought to be reminded that this could happen to anyone, "...for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel" (vs. 26).

 

OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. SAUL AND THE AMALEKITES - (1-5)

II. SAUL'S BLATANT DISOBEDIENCE - (6-9)
III. SAMUEL CONFRONTS SAUL, "WHAT MEANETH THEN THIS BLEATING OF THE SHEEP?" - (10-23)
IV. SAUL CONFESSES HIS SIN AND WORSHIPS THE LORD - (24-31)
V. SAMUEL SLAYS AGAG: SAMUEL AND SAUL PART COMPANY - (32-35)

 

I. SAUL AND THE AMALEKITES - (1-5)

Amalek, or Amalekites, are a tribe of people dwelling originally in the region south of Judah, the wilderness of et-Tih where the Israelites came into conflict with them. They were nomads as a people dwelling in that tract of land would naturally be. When they joined the Midianites to invade Israel, they came "with their cattle and their tents" (Judg. 6:3-5). Amalek is called "the first of the nations," which seems to refer to an early existence they are found in ( Gen. 14:74). We are uncertain of their origin for they do not appear in the list of nations found in (Gen. 10).

The first contact with Israel and the incident that God "remembers" (15:2) was at Rephidim, (Ex. 17), in the wilderness of Sinai, where they made an unprovoked attack on Israel and were defeated after a desperate conflict (Ex. 17:8-13); Deut. 25:17,18). On account of this they (Israel) were commanded to exterminate the Amalekites (Deut. 25:19). The Israelites were confronted by the Amalekites numerous times in the scriptures. See (Num. 13, 14; Judg. 3,5,6,12).

"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel...." God doesn't forget! God is never in a hurry; He waited approximately 500 years to "get even." "...Be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Pet. 3:8).

Note quickly two things: First, compare the exact command "utterly destroy all" with (vs. 9). Secondly, note the growth in the Israelite army. (1 Sam. 13:2) records an army of 3,000; here we see 210,000. Israel has always endeavored to strengthen itself militarily, even as it has today. The reason for such phenomenal growth is (1 Sam. 14:52), "...when Saul saw any strong men...."

 

II. SAUL'S BLATANT DISOBEDIENCE - (6-9)

Money, power and popularity are, in themselves, neutral things. But in the hand of one who is immature or acts according to selfish and lustful desires, they are like handling a King Cobra. One of the qualifications for a bishop, according to (1 Tim. 3:6), is "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil." Authority, popularity and success must be tempered with maturity. It appears that Saul's pride begins to get the best of him. Samuel says in (vs. 17), "When thou wast little in thine own sight." This was a thing of the past. Many who gain positions of authority somehow rationalize that their rank exempts them from obeying the law.

Saul disobeys the commandment and destroys what he believes is of no value, and keeps the rest. Often times, we believe we have a better way than the Lord. "It's 'good,' it must be all right" (vs. 9).

 

III. SAMUEL CONFRONTS SAUL, "WHAT MEANETH THEN THIS BLEATING OF THE SHEEP?" - (10- 23)

The word "repent" has a very broad meaning. God has not sinned in the context; He holds sorrow and regret for His choice of giving Saul the throne through His permissive will. Webster's says repent means, "To change the mind with regard to one's conduct, on account of regret or dissatisfaction." See (Jonah 3:9,10) for a great example or God's repentance.

Confusion may come with the statement of (vs. 29), "...for he (God) is not a man, that he should repent." The idea and reconciliation point is this: there are decisions and actions in which a man involves himself whereby he is commanded to repent (change his mind), (Acts 17:30), but God is never compelled to repent. He is sovereign and not subject to the law; He is the Law!

Notice "Samuel cried unto the Lord all night If you have the mind of Christ, what grieves the Lord ought to grieve you.

As Samuel approaches Saul (vs. 13), Saul wants Samuel to know that he is "sticking to the letter of the law." Shouting above the mooing and bleating, he says, "I have performed the commandment .... " Who asked? It would appear that Saul's conscience is working overtime.

Watch the "pass the buck" routine. In (vs. 15), "Saul said, 'They ... the people ... the rest we have utterly destroyed.'" Notice how Saul eliminates himself from the wrongdoing and includes himself in the "right doing." Man has learned this mark of humanity from his parents Adam and Eve, (Gen. 3:12,12). See (vss. 20,21); I have obeyed ... But the people took...

There is no man-made substitute for simple obedience to God. God cannot be bought off. Mass cards, New Year's resolutions, Lenten fasts, and beating yourself cannot substitute simple obedience. God is impressed with obedience not excuses and alibis.

 

IV. SAUL CONFESSES HIS SIN AND WORSHIPS THE LORD - (24-31)

It is difficult at this time to trust in the sincerity of the king. Is he merely trying to placate his friend Samuel, or is his repentance genuine? Samuel is not convinced easily and at first refuses to worship with Saul (vs. 26). Convinced or not, Samuel decides to take another chance on his friend (vs. 31). It is easy to say, "I have sinned," it is something else to see oneself as a sinner before the Lord. David said, "I acknowledge my transgressions ... against thee ... have I sinned" (Psa. 51:3,4). Only the Lord knows if a man is sincere with Him or not. "...Thou desirest truth in the inward parts" (Psa. 51:6).

Saul then claims that he has fallen victim to public pressure (vs. 24). It is hard to believe that Saul was pressured into anything He has faced the public before and handled the situations very authoritatively. "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

"...To a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou" (vs. 28). At this point, this was hardly the thing that Saul needed. Here is a proud man being told he has failed, and God is going to give the kingdom to someone who is better! I'm sure this statement laid the foundation for some of the future battles between Saul and David. "...Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" (1 Sam. 18:7).

 

V. SAMUEL SLAYS AGAG: SAMUEL AND SAUL PART COMPANY - (32-35)

Agag was uncertain about his fate. He had been kept in custody for some time and now he was called from his cell to have an audience with the king. "Agag came unto him delicately..." and that he should. Agag extended one or two niceties, said "Let's let bygones be bygones," and hoped for the best. Samuel then had to finish the job that God had sent Saul to do. "Samuel hewed Agag in pieces." Again the Bible "tells it like it is." Many have questioned whether God would indeed command the slaughter of complete nations of people. In God's infinite knowledge, He knew that it would save many more lives by handling the situation this way. In 1945 the United States dropped two atomic warheads on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The motive was similar. How many lives were saved by ending the war as soon as possible? Certainly God's foresight far surpasses our own.

Samuel and Saul part company. Two men who at one time loved the same God and worked together so well are now divided by varying degrees and willingness to do service to God.

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