The Cost of Selective Obedience

Intro / Setup: Identity Determines Activity

You’ve mentioned this before—and it applies powerfully here. Saul is Israel’s king—anointed, chosen, and commissioned to represent God’s rule to God’s people. Yet as we’ll see in this story, Saul’s failure to listen and obey shows that he does not understand what kind of king God requires.

You could open with a story about following instructions only halfway—perhaps a childhood moment where doing 90% of a task still got you in trouble (“I kind of cleaned my room, Mom”).

1 Samuel 15:1 — “The LORD sent me to anoint you king… now therefore listen.”

This whole story pivots on listening to God’s word.

“Because you are king… therefore, listen.”

True leadership in the kingdom of God is marked not by charisma or military power—but by obedience.

Saul is being tested here: Will he follow God’s word, or rely on his own judgment?

vv2–3 — The Command: Total Destruction of Amalek

“Now go and strike Amalek… devote to destruction all that they have.”

These are hard verses. Genocide-level language. We shouldn’t skip past that tension. But we can’t dismiss it either. A few things to note, borrowing from your style of asking hard questions and offering theological perspective:

💡 Why this command?

Historical context: Exodus 17 and Deuteronomy 25—Amalek attacked Israel from behind, preying on the weak, women, and children during the wilderness journey.

This isn’t arbitrary wrath—it’s judgment for a longstanding evil.

Delayed judgment: This is centuries after those events. God had been patient with Amalek (cf. Genesis 15:16—“the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete”).

✨ Theological tension:

We may not fully understand why God commands what He does. But our role, like Saul’s, is not to evaluate God's word—it is to submit to it.

“Obedience to God is not based on our understanding, but on His authority.”

Let this lead to a reflection:

Where are you tempted to delay or modify obedience because it doesn’t make full sense to you?

vv4–9 — Saul Spares the Best

🎯 Key failure:

“But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep…”

Saul:

“Why Spare Agag?” — Peeling Back Saul’s Motives

1 Samuel 15:8 “And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword.”

At first glance, it seems like Saul just didn’t fully follow orders. But this wasn’t random or accidental. Sparing the king of a defeated enemy meant something in Saul’s world.

🧠 1. Political Trophy: Public Image and Power Play

In the ancient Near East, capturing enemy kings was often a symbol of power and prestige. It sent a message:

“Look at how mighty I am—I don’t just kill my enemies, I parade them.”

Kings were often spared to be displayed in victory parades.

This elevated Saul’s status as a ruler.

Sparing Agag could have been Saul’s way of enhancing his own name, not the Lord’s.

📍Reflection:

Are there places in my life where I’m obeying just enough to look faithful—while still holding onto things that build my own image?

💭 2. Pride and Comparison: A Desire to Be Like the Nations

Back in 1 Samuel 8, Israel demanded a king “like the nations.” And Saul is increasingly behaving like a typical ANE king rather than a covenant king.

By sparing Agag:

Saul steps into the role of a worldly ruler.

He’s not operating under prophetic obedience—but under cultural expectation.

He wanted to look kingly—not be godly.

📍Reflection:

Do I ever find myself measuring success by worldly standards (strength, control, appearances) rather than spiritual ones (obedience, humility, truth)?

🫣 3. Fear of Man and Political Strategy

Later, Saul says:

“I have sinned… because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.” (v24)

It’s possible that his men didn’t want to kill Agag—or the best sheep and oxen.

Sparing Agag could have been a diplomatic move to appease his troops or position himself politically.

But Saul’s job as king wasn’t to negotiate obedience—it was to model it.

📍Reflection:

Am I letting others’ opinions shape my obedience to God? Do I soften the Word of God to stay liked or in control?

🧪 4. Incomplete Understanding of Holiness and Justice

Saul may have failed to grasp the theological weight of the command.

He didn’t understand that God’s justice is not selective.

Sparing the king who caused great pain (v33) reveals a twisted moral compass.

Saul seems more concerned with appearances than with repentance, justice, or God’s holiness.

📍Reflection:

Have I subtly redefined God’s commands around what feels most reasonable to me?

Religious justification

Kept the best animals—possibly to parade wealth and power

Justified it religiously (we’ll see later)

You said this well: “Saul makes no thought of the women and children, but will spare the king and the sheep.” → He’s not being merciful; he’s being selective.

💡 Questions for reflection:

Where in my life am I being partially obedient?

Are there areas where I’m trying to keep the “best sheep” for myself—resources, sin patterns, relationships—under the pretense of sacrifice or spirituality?

vv10–11 — God’s Grief: “I regret I made Saul king”

This is a deep, tragic moment. God is not surprised—but He is grieved. God is not mechanical in His dealings with people. He is emotionally involved with His covenant partners.

vv12–23 — The Confrontation: “To obey is better than sacrifice”

✨ Samuel’s piercing words:

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings… as in obeying the voice of the Lord?” “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

Saul spiritualizes his disobedience.

“I spared the sheep to sacrifice to the Lord!”

But God doesn’t want holy-sounding excuses. He wants obedience. God is not fooled by religious language used to mask rebellion.

🚩 Verse 23:

“Rebellion is as the sin of divination…”

Obedience is spiritual warfare

Rebellion against God's word is not just a mistake—it is an act of war against the King.

vv24–31 — Saul’s Confession (Kind of)

“I have sinned… because I feared the people.”

Partial confession. Self-preserving. He cares more about image than integrity. He begs Samuel to come back with him to honor him before the people. → Contrast this with David’s confession in Psalm 51—“Against You, and You only, have I sinned…”

🔍 Reflection:

Do I fear people more than I fear God?

Do I want to be restored with God, or just in front of others?

vv32–33 — Samuel Finishes the Job

“As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.”

Saul spared the very one who had caused the most grief.

Samuel, the prophet, steps in and does the king’s job.

This is the tragic end of Saul’s kingdom trajectory: He was tall, strong, impressive—but he was not faithful. His kingdom crumbles not through military defeat—but through disobedience.

🪵 Gospel Tie-In: A Better King

This chapter leaves us longing for a better king—one who listens fully to the voice of the Lord.

Where Saul failed to obey God’s word, Jesus is the Word made flesh, who obeyed perfectly, even unto death. Where Saul spared the best for himself, Jesus gave the best of Himself for us. Where Saul feared people, Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father.

We need a better king. And we have one. And He not only obeys the Word—He writes it on our hearts.

🙏 Application / Reflection

Where is God calling you to full obedience?

What “best sheep” are you keeping for yourself?

Are there ways you’ve dressed up disobedience with spiritual language?

Do you care more about public honor than genuine repentance?

Are you listening to the Word of the Lord—or negotiating with it?

Want this in a formatted teaching doc or slide outline? Also, would you like help with connecting this lesson to previous or upcoming ones in your Samuel series?