Saul Refuses

1 Samuel 15

READ 1 Sam 15:1-9

What is the nature of Saul‘s sin?

Saul has already accomplished the gross part of God‘s command. He has slaughtered most of the people of Amalek. He doesn’t seem to have a problem with that part of God‘s command, rather he has something and better in mind when it comes to their king. Saul’s sin is a sin of presumption. He presumed to say, “I have a better plan than God.”

What is God’s plan for marriage, sex, finances, the human body....

Saul is confronted (v. 12-14)

How Does Saul respond to confrontation?

Blame shifting- “the people” spared the best of the sheep and oxen” (v. 15)

Redefinition- “I Have....” (4 times) (v. 20)

Changes the subject to sacrifice (v..21)

He relents but does not repent (v.24-31)

He is seeking favor with man, not God.

Samuel slays Amalek.

1 Samuel 15:32–33 ESV

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.” And Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” 33 And Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.

The king comes to Samuel thinking he will escape justice.

Samuel hacks him to death.

This is a picture of the sure justice of God. If God responded in this way for one man, if He responded in this way for one group of people, what must his wrath be against the unrighteousness of the world for all of history?

Jesus bore that burden on the cross.

Communion