THE LORD HATH RENT THE KINGDOM FROM THEE

Saul had been sent by God to punish the Amalekites because of their cruelty to Israel when they came up from Egypt, 1 Sam. 15. 2. The instructions were clear. Saul was to destroy all that breathed - whether man or animal. But Saul chose to keep the best of the cattle and he spared Agag the king. When Samuel arrived Saul said, ‘Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord’, 1 Sam. 15. 13. When Samuel asked what was meant by all the lowing of cattle and bleating of sheep, Saul was quick to shift the blame to the people and to attribute this disobedience to the high motive of the people, to sacrifice them to the Lord. Samuel was scathing in his response, and showed him that ‘to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams’, 1 Sam. 15. 22. Samuel followed up by saying to Saul, ‘Because thou has rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king’, 1 Sam. 15. 23. After this pronouncement, Samuel went and anointed David to be king over Israel.

There are important lessons for us in this chapter. First, we learn that when God, through His word, asks us to do some­thing, He expects absolute obedience. Partial obedience is not acceptable.

Secondly, we cannot justify disobedience on the basis that we are being prompted by some higher motive. No! We are not at liberty to modify the terms of God’s word in any way. For example, the word of God makes it clear that a Christian should not enter into a relationship with a non-Christian. We cannot justify disobedience to this command on the basis that the unbe­lieving person might be saved. Sometimes, in His grace, God may save such a person, but we must not presume on the grace of God whilst acting in defiance of His word.

Thirdly, we must not be influenced by the stature or impor­tance of men as to whether we will obey God or not. Agag was undoubtedly an imposing figure but sparing him was in defi­ance of God’s command and Samuel slew him before Lord.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. [J H. Sammis]