SaulÕs Great Failure 1 Samuel 15: 1-23 He edits the Word of God to suit himself

The Word of God to Saul The Amalekites are to be completely destroyed. It is about 300 years since the Amalekites attacked the people of Israel following their Exodus from Egypt. The Amalekites opposed God. The people of Amalek have not changed. It is GodÕs time to bring his vengeance, and God will bring about his justice.

Saul nearly obeys God He and his army slaughter the Amalekites. However, he captured Agag the Amalekite King and did not kill him . He didnÕt kill the best of the sheep, goats, cattle and lambs, but kept them. His failure to destroy everything has not been an act of compassion, but either of weakness in the face of his army commanders who wanted plunder, or greed, wanting things for himself.

ÒI am sorry I ever made Saul kingÓ The wording in verse 11, ÒÉdoes not intend to suggest the LordÕs fickleness of purpose but his sorrow over sin; it does not depict the Lord flustered over lack of foresight but the Lord grieved over lack of obedienceÓ. Dale Ralph Davis

ÒI have carried out the LordÕs commandÓ Clearly you are lying. You were told to completely destroy the Amalekites. You were not to keep anything for yourself. Why have you not obeyed the Lord? Why have you done what is evil in the LordÕs sight? ! ! Rather than lead his people into obedience to God, the people lead him astray.

We must learn to be obedient to GodÕs word God may call you to love him ahead of anything else in this world. God may call you to love your neighbour in the same way that you love yourself. God may ask you to consider other people ahead of yourself. ! ! Would we be obedient, or would we make our excuses and trust that God will be slow to anger with us?