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God’s Final Rejection of Saul

1Samuel 15:1-35

 

INTRODUCTION: In this chapter, Saul illustrates the sin of willful rebellion and God’s reaction to this sin. Saul’s rebellion leads to God’s rejection of him as king of Israel.

Sins are classified and defined in various ways in the Bible. One of the ways God defines them concerns their level of willfulness.

 

  1. Sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:1-2; Philippians 3:15); these sins are committed without clear knowledge on the part of the sinner. They are still sin (ignorance is no excuse), but God looks differently on them because they are not willful.
  2. Sins of the flesh (Romans 7:18-19, 25; James 1:13-15); these sins are the result of being drawn by the lusts of the flesh. The sinner knows he is sinning and the responsibility is much greater than in a sin of ignorance. However, the sin is not willful in the sense of rebellion because the sinner has lost control of himself and is controlled by his sinful lust.
  3. Sins of rebellion (1Samuel 15:22-23; 1Corinthians 5:1-5); also presumptuous sins (Exodus 21:14; Psalm 19:13). These sins are not done in ignorance; neither are they committed in a moment of overcoming lust. They are purposeful rejections of the will and way of God. They are acted upon in direct willful rebellion towards God. They presume upon the Lord. All sins are judged but sins of rebellion are judged most harshly by God.

 

  1. GOD’S MESSAGE TO SAUL (15:1-3)

    1. The Word of the Lord by Samuel (15:1)

      1. The Lord sent Samuel to anoint Saul
      2. The Lord sent Samuel to give His words to Saul
      3. NOTE: Because of the first (the anointing), Saul should listen to the second (the voice of the words)

    2. God’s Remembrance of Amalek (15:2; Exodus 17:8, 13-16)

       

      NOTE: Amalek is a powerful type of the flesh. The war between Amalek and the Lord (v.16) is a type of the battle between the Spirit and the flesh in the believer (Gal.5:17). Consider the following points by replacing Amalek with the flesh.

      1. Amalek waits until you are out of Egypt (saved) before he attacks (Dt.25:17)
      2. Amalek attacks when we fall behind (Dt.25:18); have you fallen behind in the things of God?
      3. Amalek attacks when we are weak and weary (Dt.25:18)
      4. Amalek attacks when our relationship is not right with the Lord (Ex.17:7-8)
      5. The battle with Amalek can only be won through prayer (Ex.17:9-13)
      6. Amalek will always be at war with the Lord (Ex.17:16; Gal.5:17)
      7. Final victory cannot be had until Amalek is totally destroyed (Ex.17:14; Dt.25:19; see the sin of Saul in 1Sam.15:1-3, 7-11)

    3. God’s Verdict of Utter Destruction (15:3; cp. Joshua 6:17, 21)

  2. SAUL’S BATTLE AGAINST AMALEK (15:4-9)

    1. The People Gathered to Battle (15:4-5)

    1. The Sparing of the Kenites (15:6)

      1. The Kenites identified (Judges 1:16)
      2. Their kindness recorded (Exodus 18:1-12)

    2. The Smiting of the Amalekites (15:7-9)

      1. From Havilah to Shur (v.7)
      2. Sparing King Agag (v.8); NOTE: It was probably because of this sin that this confrontation had to be faced again in the book of Esther when Mordecai, the Benjamite (Esther 2:5 – just like Saul, a son of Kish) was threatened by Haman the Agagite (from Agag – Esther 3:1)
      3. Sparing prime cattle (v.9)

  3. SAMUEL’S CONFRONTATION WITH SAUL (15:10-25)

    1. God’s Word to Samuel (15:10-11)

      1. God’s repentance
      2. Saul’s rebellion – "he is turned back from following me"
      3. Saul’s disobedience – "hath not performed my commandments"
      4. Samuel’s grief

    2. Saul’s First Lie – the Lie of Obedience (15:12-13); I have done what I was supposed to do

    1. Saul’s Second Lie – the Lie of Motive (15:14-15); I had good motives for what I did

    1. Samuel’s Revelation of Truth (15:16-19)

      1. The sin of pride (v.16-17; Proverbs 16:18; 1John 2:16)
      2. The sin of greed (v.18-19; Proverbs 15:27; Philippians 3:18-19)

    2. Saul’s Third Lie – the Lie of Blame (15:20-21); it was someone else’s fault

      1. Saul’s claim of innocence (v.20)
      2. Saul’s accusation of the people (v.21; cp. Exodus 32:21-24)

    3. The Judgment of the Lord (15:22-23)

      1. God’s demand for obedience (v.22)
      2. Saul’s sin of rebellion (v.23a)
      3. Saul’s rejection as king (v.23b)

    4. Saul’s Fourth Lie – the Lie of Compulsion (15:24); I was forced into it; I couldn’t help myself (see Aaron in Exodus 32:21-24)

    1. Saul’s Fifth Lie – the Lie of Appearance (15:25); what’s really important is how I look; let’s pretend that nothing has changed

  4. SAMUEL’S SEPARATION FROM SAUL (15:26-35)

    1. Samuel’s Refusal to Worship with Saul (15:26-31)

      1. Samuel’s prophetic word (v.26-29)
      2. Samuel’s last concession (v.30-31)

    2. Samuel’s Completion of Saul’s Job (15:32-33)

    1. Samuel’s Refusal to See Saul (15:34-35)

CONCLUSION: True obedience in complete, immediate and willing. Anything less is only partial obedience and is therefore disobedience. God hates rebellion. Make sure that there is no rebellion in your heart.

 

MEMORY VERSES:

1Samuel 15:22 – "And Samuel said, Hath 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."

 

 

 

 

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