1 Samuel Session 3
Notes
Transcript
Understand the Context
Understand the Context
USE THE FOLLOWING CONTENT TO PREPARE FOR YOUR GROUP TIME.
Even prior to his enthronement as king, disturbing signs existed about Saul’s lack of regard for the Lord’s commandments. Saul’s initial appearance in Scripture indicated little interest in or awareness of divine revelation. He didn’t know where the prophet Samuel could be found (see 1 Sam. 9:6,18). Samuel was revered in every area of the kingdom (see 3:20), but Saul seemed to be out of the loop in regard to the ministry of Israel’s judge and prophet. Also, Saul seemed to think the favor of a prophet could be purchased (see 9:7-8).
Early in his reign Saul disregarded God’s direct instruction. Partial obedience is still disobedience, and this would become a trend in the spiritual trajectory of Saul’s life. Although he followed Samuel’s instruction to go to Gilgal (see 10:8), he disregarded the prophet’s schedule and obedience to God’s covenant at Sinai about the offering of the sacrifice. In direct violation of God’s command, Saul offered the sacrifice of burnt offering himself. When challenged about this by the prophet, Saul blamed his soldiers, Samuel, and the Philistines (see 13:11-12). Saul claimed to seek the Lord’s favor (see v. 12), but God’s blessing doesn’t come through disobedience.
One of the major themes of 1 Samuel is the honor of God (see 2:30). The priest Eli dishonored God by his failure to correct his sons, who desecrated the sacrifices offered to God by consuming them for themselves (see vv. 12-17,27-29). Saul also dishonored God by his disobedience and in the end suffered greatly as a result.
Think About It
Think About It
Notice the different ways Saul’s actions are described or defined in these passages.
Compare and contrast the descriptions by considering who is describing the action.
Outline the steps Samuel took after God informed him of Saul’s actions.
Read the passages of 1 Samuel 15:7-15, 22-23
EXPLORE THE TEXT
EXPLORE THE TEXT
SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE (1 Samuel 15:7-9)
1 Sam 15:7-9 - God gave a command to Saul that he was to kill every living person among the Amalekites, and he was to slaughter all their livestock (see v. 3). This policy, often called the ban, was rarely given in the Old Testament. It was a directive that no one could be spared and that no plunder could be taken after a conquest. This was God’s righteous judgment on an entire nation for its sinfulness and the fulfillment of a sentence pronounced years earlier (see Deut. 25:17-19). Saul partially obeyed the command God gave him. He completely destroyed all the people except for their king, Agag. By taking Agag alive, Saul disobeyed the Lord.
The text mentions for the second time that Saul disobeyed the Lord’s command in regard to King Agag. Notice that he spared Agag when God specifically told him not to spare anyone (see v. 3). The text doesn’t tell us the rationale, only that Saul didn’t do what God instructed him to do. Perhaps it’s good to be reminded that there’s no good reason for disobeying God.
What makes settling for partial obedience so tempting? In what ways can a believer exclude the best from his or her obedience to God?
The Amalekites, whose leader Saul spared, were ancient enemies of God’s people. They’d attempted to thwart the Lord’s redemptive purposes for Israel. God’s command to completely destroy Amalek was recompense for past transgressions. Saul, on the other hand, had no sense of history, only a sense of what he wanted in the moment.
SAMUEL’S CONFRONTATION (1 Samuel 15:10-15)
1 Sam 15:10-11 - As He had done many times in the past, God spoke to Samuel. Years ago the prophet had demonstrated his suitability to hear from God because of his yielded heart and his willingness to do whatever He asked (see 3:10-17). Saul demonstrated no such suitability by his chronic impatience and disobedience. In this he failed to follow the Lord God. The hallmark of a great king, like David, was that he completely followed Yahweh, the God of Israel (see 1 Kings 11:6). Saul’s behavior brought sorrow to God’s heart and righteous indignation to Samuel’s heart. Samuel spent the whole night in anguished prayer.
1 Sam 15:12 - After God told him what the king had done, Samuel got up to confront Saul. We may think our disobedience goes unnoticed, but that isn’t the case. We may come to the place of accepting our sin, but a holy God doesn’t. Samuel was told that Saul went to build a monument for himself. While Saul was seeking honor for himself, God’s honor had been diminished through disobedience.
What makes confronting someone about his or her disobedience a challenge? What risks are involved in confronting someone? What risks are involved when we don’t confront someone?
1 Sam 15:13-15 - Samuel tracked Saul to Gilgal for a decisive confrontation. As he had previously done (see 13:10), Saul greeted the prophet as if nothing at all was wrong. He seemed to have no remorse over his action. And then he claimed that he’d carried out the Lord’s instructions. The obvious sign of Saul’s disobedience was the sound of the Amalekites’ sheep and cattle that were still alive. Disobedience is unable to cover its tracks. Samuel pointed out this clear proof of rebellion.
Saul tried to shift the blame to his soldiers and even used self-justification. His mixing of truth with a lie. Indeed, they’d destroyed the rest of the flock, but that wasn’t what God sought. Finally, Saul attempted to cloak his transgression with the veneer of religiosity, claiming he’d preserved the animals to provide a sacrifice to the Lord.
It’s interesting that Saul claimed to be so concerned about offering sacrifice to the Lord after he’d just arrived from a trip arranged to build a statue in honor of himself. Before we attempt to deceive others, we often deceive ourselves. First John 1:8 points out that denying personal sin is actually self-deception.
GOD’S REJECTION (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
1 Sam 15:22 - After a pointed exchange with the king, Samuel asked a rhetorical question for the ages. The obvious answer is no. Obedience is the motive behind any offering of sacrifice, and it’s the more crucial response God seeks from us.
How does accepting partial obedience or religious practice as a substitute for full obedience show disrespect for God?
The pleasure of the Lord should be our highest aspiration. Pleasing God results in eternal blessing, while pleasing others or ourselves is a fleeting attainment. Jesus set a high example when He said, “The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him” (John 8:29).
Samuel used a Hebrew word of exclamation to begin a memorable prophetic utterance. The Hebrew word hinneh (look) in 1 Samuel 15:22 is a call to give strong, careful consideration to a matter, in this case the Hebrew practice of faith: to obey is better than sacrifice. In the original language it’s only three words, which could be literally translated, “Obedience surpasses sacrifice.” Ultimately, obedience is the highest honor we give to God. In obeying His directives, we demonstrate our confidence that His way is the best way. Obedience expresses dependence on Him, affirming that He’s truly Lord of all.
1 Sam 15:23 - The prophet zeroed in on the real crux of Saul’s disobedience as rebellion against God. When we disobey God, we defy Him and refuse to honor Him as sovereign and supreme. Disobedience is serious enough for Samuel to liken it to the sin of divination, the unauthorized cavorting with the demonic spirit world. This defiance can also be compared to idolatry, the worship of other gods. In disobedience we make ourselves our own god. Divination and idolatry are the most heinous sins of the Old Testament. When Samuel told Saul what he’d done was the equivalent of these, he meant the deed was inexcusable.
What’s the connection between disobedience and idolatry? How do they derive their existence from each other?
Samuel announced a specific, dreadful penalty, which was the verdict rendered by God. Saul’s disobedience was a rejection of God’s Word. Anytime we refuse to practice what Scripture commands, we set it aside as either untrue or unimportant. In effect we pass judgment on God’s edict. Because of Saul’s verdict on the instructions of God, the Lord’s verdict was handed down on his kingship. Saul would continue to serve in the position of king for many years, but in the eyes of God, on that fateful day at Gilgal, his reign was over.
There may be an interval of time between God’s announcement of judgment and its arrival, but it’s certain nonetheless. Scoffers may mock the notion of judgment to come because of its delayed arrival (see 2 Pet. 3:4-9), but they’ll be proved tragically wrong. The only preparation for judgment is to believe and obey Jesus Christ and His gospel.
OBEY THE TEXT
OBEY THE TEXT
God expects complete obedience to His directives. Believers are to humbly confront leaders who blatantly disobey God. God is more concerned about obedience than our worship practices.
Review your life, looking for areas of partial obedience. What actions do you need to take to complete your obedience to God?
Discuss as a group the best way to deal with a leader whose disobedience is evident to all. Focus on the actions taken by Samuel to serve as a starting place. How would you want to be confronted if you were a disobedient leader?
Examine your motives for worship and religious activities. Ask God to reveal actions you take that are substitutes for complete obedience to Him.