Saul Pleads For Forgiveness
May 29, 2019
Commentary
In these verses Samuel tells Saul that he has a message for him from the Lord and Saul tells him to speak (v. 16). Samuel goes on to tell him that the Lord anointed him king over Israel (v. 17) and sent him on a mission to destroy the Amalekites until they were all killed (v. 18). Samuel questions Saul as to why he did evil by taking the spoil and not obeying the voice of the Lord (v. 19). He tried to justify his disobedience by claiming that the animals were taken to use as a sacrifice to the Lord, and were brought because of the insistence of the soldiers (vv. 20-21). But Samuel responded with a statement of principle that is timeless in its application: “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (v. 22). In addition to disobeying, Saul was guilty of rebellion …? arrogance, and rejecting God’s word (v. 23).
Saul said he was afraid of the people and so he obeyed their wises (v. 24). He wanted to please everyone. Many people are like Saul. Even lots of preachers try to please everyone. It is true that he confesses that he has transgressed, but his repentance is not genuine (v. 25). The result for Saul was the Lord’s rejection of him as king (v. 26), symbolized by Saul’s tearing of Samuel’s robe (vv. 27-28). This repudiation of Saul and selection of a replacement (David) did not mean that God had misled Samuel or even changed His mind (v. 29). Saul has sinned and so God must deal with him accordingly (vv. 30-31). God had from the beginning chosen another, one who would be “after His own heart” (cf. 13:14; 16:1). Though still recognized by the people as their king for about 15 more years, Saul was deposed by the Lord right then, and Samuel executed Agag (vv. 32-33). The finality of it all was not missed by Samuel for from that day Samuel never visited the king again (vv. 34-35).
Saul begged Samuel to go with him to worship in a public demonstration. However, it was not because he had a truly repentant heart but because he wanted the people to think that Samuel still supported him. Samuel mourned for Saul when God told him he was taking his kingdom away.
Application
Samuel demonstrates a great example of love. I should never give up on people no matter how terrible and sinful they act. I need to continue to pray for their repentance and restoration to Jesus Christ.
1 Samuel 15:16– 35 (NET)
16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Wait a minute! Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” Saul said to him, “Tell me.” 17 Samuel said, “Is it not true that when you were insignificant in your own eyes, you became head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord chose you as king over Israel. 18 The Lord sent you on a campaign saying, ‘Go and exterminate those sinful Amalekites! Fight against them until you have destroyed them.’ 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Instead you have greedily rushed upon the plunder! You have done what is wrong in the Lord’s estimation.”
20 Then Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the Lord! I went on the campaign the Lord sent me on. I brought back King Agag of the Amalekites after exterminating the Amalekites. 21 But the army took from the plunder some of the sheep and cattle—the best of what was to be slaughtered—to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
22 Then Samuel said, “Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience? Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and presumption is like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the Lord’s orders, he has rejected you from being king.”
24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have disobeyed what the Lord commanded and your words as well. For I was afraid of the army, and I obeyed their voice. 25 Now please forgive my sin. Go back with me so I can worship the Lord.”
26 Samuel said to Saul, “I will not go back with you, for you have rejected the Lord’s orders, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel!”
27 When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the edge of his robe and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to one of your colleagues who is better than you! 29 The Preeminent One of Israel does not go back on his word or change his mind, for he is not a human being who changes his mind.” 30 Saul again replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel. Go back with me so I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel followed Saul back, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me King Agag of the Amalekites.” So Agag came to him trembling, thinking to himself, “Surely death is bitter!” 33 Samuel said, “Just as your sword left women childless, so your mother will be the most bereaved among women.” Then Samuel hacked Agag to pieces there in Gilgal before the Lord.
34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, while Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Until the day he died, Samuel did not see Saul again. Samuel did, however, mourn for Saul, but the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.