What meaneth these Saul? A lesson from 1 Samuel 15
Saul was sent to destroy the Amalekites and spare nothing. Their King, Agag, was a murderer. His sword made women childless. He was wicked. Also, he did not show mercy to Israel when they journeyed to the promised land.
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal. 1 Samuel 15:33
Saul obeyed but spared King Agag and the choicest of fatlings, lambs, oxen and sheep. God was angry with him, leading to his rejection as the King.
God sent Samuel to go and see what abomination Saul had done. Samuel was disappointed and asked why he could hear the bleating of sheep and the lowing of oxen. The problem was that Saul was told what to do, given the reason for doing it, and instead of obeying, he did otherwise.
We can blame Saul, but some people do the same in various ways today. We have spared many wicked things because they are good in our eyes. We have allowed many abominable things to continue because they are preferred. Let’s be very careful and learn from Saul.
Sparing the truth in order not to offend people is sparing Agag. Compromise with worldliness, allowing ungodly things and meddling with unspiritual things. We might think we are serving God by sparing Agag and the best sheep in our work with God. Most ministers and places of worship have this question, “What are these?” hanging on them.
What is the content of this programme, and who are those behind the planning? The worldliness should be smitten: idolatry, self-projection, and all uncleanliness should be smitten. Saul, the sound of rock music in the Church is not of God, the messages that titillate the ears, sounds of gossip, dangerous prayers, strife, hate, pride and worship of men. You were asked to destroy all. Why are these in the house of God? What is going on? Why did you spare them? They cannot be offered to God. They are an abomination, though they look good.
Those sheep and oxen were reared for the gods of the Amalekites, not for our God. No, you got it wrong, Saul. The speaking in tongues with no meaning for men and devils, the points of contact that are not real, but show to deceive, is not for God. The vain and repetitive prayers have no meaning. The cathedrals are laid waste; stop if they do not propagate the gospel.
What meanest thou?
Remember your humble beginnings before you received your title(s). Remember when you were nobody, and God chose you. Eish! What meaneth thou?
And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee King over Israel? 1 Samuel 15:17 (KJV)
Some people forget how God took them from nothing. The grace poured out on them goes to their head, and they can do as they like - after all, who will question them? The empire belongs to them. They are Kings. Ah!
When God’s grace departs from a man, he continues in error without discernment. Saul couldn’t see the wrong he did. There was no spiritual witness to what he did. He reviewed his actions, and they looked acceptable to him. Sometimes, people can ask you what is wrong with their actions and justify themselves with scripture. You will be speechless. You can clearly see that God is not in what they have done, but they are adamant and insistent.
When people miss it, you can see slyness in their speeches. Saul said, ‘to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal’. Samuel’s God, and not his anymore.
But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. 1 Samuel 15:21
After all, the sheep and oxen were sacrificed to God. What, Saul? Obeying God is more important than doing rituals and shows. Saul did what he thought would have been good. He missed it. God departed from him, and he became empty.
Saul justified his sin. When God leaves anyone, they will justify themselves, see things their way, and do what they like. To ordinary eyes, it may look okay. But the discerning would know that this is out of the way. Obedience is simple. Just do what you were asked. Don’t do extra, add, or subtract from the bid to please God. He knows what He wants. These extras are shows. It will not attract God’s blessings and will not be honoured by God. You will go into witchcraft, stubbornness and rebellion, which can be easily seen. The person will become incorrigible and a god to himself, which is idolatry.
The fear of man is a snare
And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD , and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 1 Samuel 15:24
Saul pleased the people to remain their King. He forgot God made him King and not the people. Be careful how you look at people’s faces when making decisions. God called you and not the people. At any time you lose sight of this, you will fail. When you allow things not of God to keep the people, you will miss God and still lose the people.
In the bid to keep his prominence, Saul made more mistakes. He tore Samuel’s clothes. The kingdom was rented from him. You get nothing by force. Don’t force anything, as it will change nothing. God is our strength. He will not lie nor repent. He is not a man, no! Not at all.
May God not repent that He made us who we are because of disobedience, pride, and man-pleasing.
