God had rejected Saul as king. Notice, it didn’t say God rejected Saul as the sinful man. It took a little coercing, but Samuel finally accompanied Saul back, which was apparently an honor thing, so he could worship to LORD.
God has plenty to be upset with when his people sin against him. Saul sinned when he went against what was clearly outlined. Saul made a gray area out of the black and white. Gray doesn’t cut it. But it did cut Saul from his role as king.
What’s key here to note is that Saul wanted to repent. He wanted to worship the LORD. He may have just blatantly disobeyed, but his desire was still to honor God (and himself). Saul didn’t want to lose the prestige and honor of the people he was leading.
The people would not yet find out that Saul had been stripped of his duties. The new recruit was not on board yet. Samuel had hoped this first kingship would be a success. Saul was not a puppet king, however, and his human frailty, fears, ignorance, or whatever one might attribute to his disobedience, caused the demise of reign.
Samuel was dismayed, and I’m sure he felt a little betrayed, too. He, after all, had been instrumental in Saul’s recruitment and training process. I had to think that he was taking out some of his frustrations with that on King Agag. Otherwise, it would seem uncharacteristic of Samuel, the holy man, to kill a man and handle his remains in such a manor.
I’m feeling again inspired to want to be certain I am hearing God’s voice correctly. I just blurted something out the other day, and I’m asking God to show me where that came from. I’d love to hear it’s a go with God’s blessing, because I’m ready to take this step of faith to honor him. I don’t want to be like Saul who stretches things for my own gain or to avoid controversy or confrontation.
Did you hear God speaking to you in this reading?
Let’s pray …
Lord, I want to do a better job of being faithful to you and attentive to your leading in my life. I need your help to see the direction you have for me today. Help me to follow through in the ways I have promised. Thank you for the reminder of the importance to trust and obey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
