1 Samuel Chapter 16 Part Two (Verses 11-14)

4. (1 Sam 16:11) Samuel asks about an absent son

And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here."

Are these all the children: Samuel had a problem. God told him, "I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons" (1 Samuel 16:1). Yet, here were the seven sons of Jesse, and God did not chose any of them. Since Samuel knew God's word was true, he knew there must be another son of Jesse who was not in attendance.

There remains yet the youngest: This shows the low regard David had among his own family. First, his father did not even mention him by name. Second, he was not invited to the feast. Third, he was only called to come because Samuel insisted on it. When we consider David was the youngest of eight sons, we should not be surprised at the low regard he had in his own family. It was not because David's conduct or character was unworthy, it was simply because he was the youngest of eight sons. God often chooses unlikely people to do His work. This ensures that we all know the work is God's work and not man's work.

He is tending the sheep: Tending the sheep was a servant's job. The fact that David was out keeping the sheep showed that the family of Jesse was not especially wealthy, and thus could not afford to have servants. If they would have been wealthy, a servant would be keeping watch over the sheep. Moreover, tending the sheep meant you had to trust God in the midst of danger. David had lions, bears and wolves to contend with, and the sheep had to be protected. The country around Bethlehem was not a tranquil wilderness, and the career of a shepherd was one of brave heroics and constant vigilance to keep the sheep safe.

5. (1 Sam 16:12-13) David is chosen and anointed

So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Ruddy: Ruddy denotes red hair and fair skin, which are regarded as a mark of beauty in the Mid-East, where hair and complexion are generally dark. We do not know how old David was at this time. The ancient Jewish historian, Josephus, says David was ten years old. Other historians state he was about 15 years old.

And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he: By all outward appearances, David's seven brothers seemed to have been better material for royalty. As unlikely as he was, David was the one chosen to be king. David was a shepherd, but there were lots of shepherds during this time. David was good-looking, but there were a lot of good looking young men. David was young, but there were plenty of young men God could have chosen. What is important is how God saw David. In 1 Samuel 13:14, God describes what made David special: "The LORD sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people."

God's choice of David shows us that we do not have to quit our jobs and enter into full-time ministry to be people after God's own heart. We do not need to be famous or affluent to be people after God's own heart. We do not need to be respected or even liked by others to be people after God's own heart.

Where did David get his heart? Obviously, from time spent with the LORD. But someone had to start him on that path. David says nothing about his father, but twice in the Psalms he refers to his mother as a handmaid of the LORD. ("Turn to me, and be gracious to me; oh grant Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid" Psalm 86:16. "O LORD, surely I am Your servant, I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid, You have loosed my bonds" Psalm 116:16.) It is very probable that David's mother taught her son to fear the LORD and gave him a foundation to build his own walk with the LORD.

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: The true significance of the act of anointing David as the future king of Israel appears to have been concealed to his brothers. As in subsequent history, they do not seem to have any idea of their brother's high calling. It is very probable that the people who witnessed David's anointing thought Samuel was just honoring David for an unknown reason.

And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward: The real anointing of David happened when the Holy Spirit came upon David. The oil on his head was just an outward sign of his inward anointing.

And Samuel arose and went to Ramah: Samuel did not begin a political rally to enthrone David and did not begin to undermine Saul's throne to establish David as king. It is interesting to note that in 1 Samuel 16:13, the name David is first mentioned. Prophetically, David has been referred to in 1 Samuel 13:14 and 1 Samuel 15:28. David's name means beloved or loved one. David will become one of the greatest men in the Bible, mentioned more than 1,000 times in the pages of Scripture. He is mentioned more than Abraham, more than Moses and more than any man in the New Testament. It is no accident that Jesus was not known as the "Son of Abraham" or the "Follower of Moses" but as the "Son of David".


B. Saul's distressing spirit

1. (1 Sam 16:14) Saul's distressing spirit troubles him
Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.

(Side note: From this time forward, David is the central figure of this historical account. Saul has been rejected, and though he is still king and must still play his part, from this time forth, his decline goes hand in hand with the growth of David in every kingly way. The record is no longer given on Saul's account. Instead, we are given the account of how David was first brought into connection with Saul, and the subsequent interactions between the two, until ultimately, David becomes king.)

The spirit of the LORD departed from Saul: In 1 Samuel 16:13 we read, "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward" As the Holy Spirit came upon David, "an evil spirit" came upon Saul and terrorized him. Again we see, as David rose in power, Saul continued his downward decline.

An evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him: If God is all-good, why did He send a terrorizing spirit upon Saul? There are two ways in which God can send something. First, He may send something in the active sense. Second, He may send something in the passive sense. Passively, God may withdraw His hand of protection, which allows evil to come, without being the source of evil itself.

Passively, this is what happened to Saul. First, "the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul". This meant that Saul lost his spiritual protection and shield against evil. So when this protection was lost, Satan was more than ready to send an evil spirit to fill the void in Saul. This is why the continual presence of the Holy Spirit for all Christians is such a comfort. We do not have to fear that God will take the Holy Spirit away from us. ("Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.)

("However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But t the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies thought His Spirit who dwells in you" Romans 8:9-11.)

Today, Saul would probably be diagnosed as being mentally ill. Yet, his problem was spiritual in nature, and was not mental or psychological. There are many people today in mental hospitals who are really suffering from spiritual problems. These folks need liberation from their evil spirits. However, our modern mental health system is not set up nor equipped to deal with such spiritual problems. Unfortunately, many are given highly potent drugs which only dulls the mind and does nothing to alleviate their spiritual burdens.

From the LORD: Perhaps this judgment was a final verdict on Saul's past wickedness and rebellion against the Holy Spirit's guidance. This may be an example of God giving Saul over to his sin. Saul did have the Holy Spirit upon him early in his kingship. ("When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him [Saul]; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them" 1 Samuel 10:10.) As Saul was proud and rebellious against God, Saul resisted the Holy Spirit. He again and again denied to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, and God finally gave him up. God gave Saul over to his own desires. But, Saul never realized the price he would have to pay when "the Spirit of the LORD departed from him". Saul thought he would be happy and free once he was separated from God's will. He did not realize he would be in even more bondage when an evil spirit came upon him. Even in this state, however, Saul would still repent. He was not past the state of repentance or restoration. It was up to Saul to receive God's correction and respond with a tender, repentant heart before the LORD.

1 Samuel Chapter 16 Part One (Verses 1-10)

GOD CHOOSES DAVID

A. Samuel anoints David as king

(Psalms that may correspond to this time in David's life: 8, 19, 23, and 29.)

1. (1 Sam 16:1-3) God tells Samuel to go and anoint a new king over Israel

Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons." But Samuel said, "How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you."

How long will you grieve over Saul: The grief Samuel exhibited was prolonged almost to a sinful extent. We, who see Saul's whole career, and know how deeply he fell, are often in danger of discrediting his high qualities. But those who were witnesses of his military skill and prowess, and saw his heroic son raising the nation of Israel from feebleness to a mighty empire, might give him great admiration. Both David's dirge (2 Samuel 1:19-27) and Samuel's long mourning along with the dedicated obedience which he was able to exhort from the nation Israel, bear testimony to Saul's powers as a ruler and commander of his nation. But now God warns Samuel to mourn no longer. Saul's rejection was final. Samuel must sacrifice his own personal feelings and prepare to carry out the purpose indicated in 1 Samuel 13:14 and 1 Samuel 15:28.

Jesse the Bethlehemite: Grandson of Ruth the Moabitess, Jesse belonged to the tribe of Judah through his male ancestors. ("Now these are the generations of Perez: to Perez was born Hezron, and to Hezron was born Ram, and to Ram, Amminadab, and to Amminadab was born Nahshon, and to Nahson was born Salmon, and to Salmon was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed, and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David" Ruth 4:18-22.)

How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me: Saul was king, and the anointing of another in his stead would be regarded as an act of open treason, and the stirring up of civil war. The anointing of David was a prophetic indication of the man whom God, in His own way and at His own time, would place upon Saul's throne. Moreover, this emphasizes the rapid decay of Saul's mental faculties. The jealous king was changed from the Saul, who even in his self-willed rebellion against the Lord, was careful to pay homage to Samuel. But now, Samuel felt if he crossed the king's path in any way, even in carrying out the commands of the LORD God, Samuel's life would be forfeited to the fierce anger of Saul.

Take a heifer with you: There was yet to be no public anointing of the successor to Saul, only the future king must be sought out quietly and set apart for service to the Lord. With this act done in secret, there would be no treason and no inciting a civil war. David, still a child, was to be set apart, without probably fully knowing what the anointing meant and certainly with no actions being taken by him towards winning the crown which was to be placed upon his head in the future. Moreover, to have openly anointed David as king would have forced David's father, Jesse, to an open feud with King Saul. Jesse would have had to seek safety either by fighting for his life or by breaking up his home and fleeing to a foreign land.

Invite Jesse to the sacrifice: The word translated "sacrifice" is the word zebach in Hebrew, which means a sacrifice followed by a feast, at which all elders of the town, with them Jesse and his elder sons, would be present by the prophet's invitation. It seems such sacrifices were not unusual, or Saul would have demanded a reason for Samuel's conduct. The Ark of the Covenant remained at Kiriath-jearim until Saul at some time in his reign moved it to Nob. Samuel may have instituted this practice of occasionally holding sacrifices throughout the land of Israel to keep alive religion in the hearts of the people. At such occasions, Samuel would have taught them the great truths of the law during the sacrificial feast.

You shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you: Years before this, Israel rejected the Lord as their king. They wanted a human as their king instead. God gave them a human king after their own desire (Saul), but God was still on the throne, crowning whom He pleases as He pleases. The simple fact was that God did rule Israel. They could recognize His rule, submit to it and enjoy the benefits. Or they could resist His reign over Israel and suffer because of it. We do not have to fear the future when we know God has provided for Himself leaders. He will keep them obscure and hidden until the right time. Then, He will raise them up.

It is interesting to note that the ceremony of anointing David as king was performed three times: (1) on this occasion by Samuel, when David as a boy was set apart for the service of the Lord; (2) when appointed as king over Judah at Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4); (3) when David was chosen as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3).

2. (1 Sam 16:4-5) Samuel comes to sacrifice at Bethlehem

So Samuel did what the LORD said, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, "Do you come in peace?" He said, "In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

The elders of the city came trembling to meet him: Very probably, such visitations by Samuel often took place because some crime had been committed into which Samuel wished to inquire, or because the people had been negligent in some duty. The people are conscious of no such fault, and yet, here is the coming of Samuel.

Consecrate yourselves: Samuel quiets the elders by telling them to sanctify themselves. That is, to wash and purify themselves, abstain from anything unclean and put on festal garments. 

He also consecrated Jesse and his sons: In the case of Jesse and his sons, Samuel supervises their necessary purification. This gives Samuel the opportunity to interview Jesse and his household. 

3. (1 Sam 16:6-10) God does not choose any of Jesse's older sons

When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at the appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these."

He looked at Eliab: There was something in the stately appearance of Jesse's eldest son, which probably reminded Samuel of Saul in his youth. Eliab seemed in all aspects to Samuel fit to be the successor of King Saul. But God sternly warned Samuel to not let appearances lead the selection.

Do not look at the appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him: Samuel made the mistake of judging Eliab based on his appearance. This was the same mistake Israel made about their first king. Saul looked the part, but he did not have the heart a king of God's people should have. It did not matter how good Eliab looked because God had refused him.

For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart: Even the best of men will look at the outward appearance. At the moment, Samuel was guilty of it. We must understand that we cannot read the secrets of another man's heart. We often only judge on outward appearance.

The LORD has not chosen these: God told Samuel that He had not chosen any of the seven sons of Jesse. It was not that these sons of Jesse were bad men, but they were not God's choice. God had a man in mind different from Samuel's or Jesse's expectation. Eliab and the rest of the older sons were perfect potential kings as far as the flesh is concerned. But God did not want a king after the flesh. Israel already had a king like that.

1 Samuel Chapter 15 Part Three (Verses 24-35)

3. (1 Sam 15:24-25) Saul's weak effort towards repentance
Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the LORD."

I have sinned: Saul's confession of sin does not appear to be sincere. Instead, it appears it was made chiefly for the sake of getting the sentence of him being rejected as king reversed.

I feared the people and listened to their voice: Saul refuses to own up to his will and instead blames the people who "made him" do it. Again, this seems like the same song and dance Saul attempted when Samuel confronted Saul about sacrificing the burnt offering to the LORD back in chapter 13. If Saul would have feared God more, he would have feared the people less.

Please pardon my sin and return with me: Instead of dealing with the deep issue of Saul's heart of rebellion and stubbornness against God, Saul thought that having Samuel's support could fix everything. But the friendship of Samuel could not change the settled nature of Saul's heart. God knew that Saul's heart was full of rebellion and stubbornness. Saul's heart was set in his ways against God. This is something no man could know from looking at Saul. But God knew Saul's heart and told Samuel about it. A simple "please pardon my sin" would not do when the heart is set in rebellion and sin against the LORD.


4. (1 Sam 15:26-31) God's rejection of Saul as king over Israel is final
But Samuel said to the Saul, "I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel." As Samuel turned to go, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. So Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you. Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind." Then he said, "I have sinned; but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the LORD your God." So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.

I will not return with you: Samuel clearly sees that Saul's repentance is fake. Saul's repentance is spurred by the fear of losing the kingdom and incurring public disgrace. Saul had dishonored God, and therefore, he had no claim to public homage from God's minister.

Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore: Many translations are careless about translating the Hebrew word "meil". "Meil" is not a loose flowing garment such as a robe. Instead, it was a fitted garment worn closely to the skin. Therefore, tearing the garment implies Saul used a considerable amount of violent force. Saul's desperate action provides a vivid lesson on how the kingdom was to be torn away from him. As useless as the torn piece of garment was in Saul's hand, so now his leadership of the nation was futile.

And has given it to your neighbor: Neighbor here in the Hebrew is used in a very indefinite way. It generally means "someone". The kingdom would be rent from Saul and given to "someone" who is better than Saul at discharging the duties of being king.

The Glory of Israel: Samuel uses a title for God that appears only here in the Bible. The title combines the ideas of stability, permanence and constancy. The Strength or Confidence of Israel does not change as men do. This reminds Saul that the LORD is determined in His purpose and is strong in His will. God will not change. The title "The Glory of Israel" is also important because at that time Saul probably thought of himself as "The Glory of Israel".  God was Israel's strength, and Saul needed to hear it.

Please honor me now before the elders: This is a strange request after Saul's great sin. Saul was probably sincere and fearful, but his sincerity was based upon a desire to maintain his power and royal state. His fear probably sprang from an apprehension that if he lost the friendship of Samuel the prophet (the revered and honored servant of the LORD), he would probably be forced to forfeit his crown. If Saul would have been really repentant, he would have prayed to have been humble rather than to be honored.

Samuel went back following Saul: Samuel, after having been requested several times by the king, consents to publicly worshiping the LORD with Saul. The main reason Samuel most likely acquiesced Saul's request was to prevent any disaffection toward the monarchy. Samuel's known disapproval of Saul's conduct and his declining the king's request would probably have been the signal for Israel to rise up in a revolt. Supporting Saul as king was better than the anarchy that would arise without a king.


5. (1 Sam 15:32-33) Samuel carries out God's will
Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag, the king of the Amelekites." And Agag came to him cheerfully. And Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is past." But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag": A big issue was still not resolved for Samuel. There was still the matter of Saul's incomplete obedience. God's command to "utterly destroy" all the Amalekites still stood, even if Saul had not obeyed the command.

Cheerfully: The meaning of the word is very doubtful. The Septuagint has the word "trembling" here. (This rending would make more sense as in the next sentence Agag says, "Surely this bitterness of death is past.") Perhaps Agag was not in a fearful mood, and doubted any harm which could be inflicted by the aged prophet. But perhaps also, Agag might have been filled with fear and trembled to come before the mighty man of God.

As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women: Samuel makes it clear that Agag was not an innocent bystander when it came to the atrocities that the Amelekites inflicted on Israel. Agag was a wicked and violent leader of a wicked and violent people. God's judgment against him and the Amalekites was just.

Samuel hewed Agag to pieces: This verb occurs only here and probably refers to some particular type of execution. The way the word is conjugated would imply that Samuel probably did not kill Agag but that he commanded it to be done.

Before the LORD: Most notably, Samuel performs this act of obedience before the LORD. He does do this before Saul, to show Saul would weak and proud he was. This was not done before Israel, to show them how strong and tough Samuel was. Instead, Samuel acted in tough obedience before the LORD to fulfill God's command.


6. (1 Sam 15:34-35) The tragic split between Samuel and Saul
Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul. Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Samuel went to Ramah: This was Samuel's native place and where he usually resided.

Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul: This was Saul's birthplace, and the location of his father's house. This was also where Saul had his royal residence and where he kept court.

Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death: The joyous friendship which had previously existed between the two comrades was now broken off. Although they would meet again in 1 Samuel 19:24, it was neither in a friendly manner nor was it due to Samuel's seeking. The words here have a higher meaning than the mere seeing or meeting one another. They involve the cessation of a relationship in which Samuel and Saul had stood to one another as prophet and king of God. Now, Saul was no longer the representative of the LORD, and consequently, Samuel came no more to him, giving Saul messages, commands and guidance from God.

Samuel grieved over Saul: The old prophet had known Saul from the days of his youthful promise. Samuel, no doubt, loved him much and regarded him as his own adopted son. Now, he saw all his high qualities perverted; Saul's powers of usefulness were destroyed by pride and disobedience.

1 Samuel Chapter 15 Part Two (Verses 12-23)

5. (1 Sam 15:12-13) Saul greets Samuel
Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul; and it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal." Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have carried out the command of the LORD."

Samuel rose early in the morning: After the revelations of the previous night, Samuel rose and immediately sought out Saul.

Carmel: Meaning park or garden, Carmel was a city in the mountainous country of Judah, about seven miles south/southeast of Hebron. Saul would have naturally passed through it returning from war. Carmel is the place where Nabal dwelt (see 1 Samuel 25) and is in the region where David spent much of his outlaw life.

He set up a monument for himself: The literal translation is "He set up a hand for himself."  The same Hebrew is used in 2 Samuel 18:18 to describe the pillar Absalom erected for himself. It is very likely that these victory columns erected by the Jews had a hand engraved upon them. Saul was not grieved over his sin. In fact, Saul seems quite pleased with himself. There seems to be not the slightest bit of shame or guilt in Saul, even though he directly disobeyed God.

Gilgal: In the same place where Saul's kingdom had been confirmed, it was in this same place it was to be taken from him. It is also the place where the consequences of disobedience had been uttered (1 Sam 13:13-14) and now the sentence of disobedience was to be pronounce.

Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have carried out the command of the LORD.": Saul can come to Samuel with such boldness, boasting of his obedience because pride has overtaken his heart. Saul is self-deceived. He probably really believed the words he spoke. He probably believed "I have carried out the command of the LORD". Pride always leads us to self-deception.


6. (1 Sam 15:14-16) Saul "explains" his sin to Samuel
But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed." The Samuel said to Saul, "Wait, and let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak!"

What then is this bleating: The livestock God clearly commanded to be killed could be heard, seen and smelled even as Saul said, "I have performed the command of the LORD". Pride and disobedience make us blind and deaf to our sin. What was completely obvious to Samuel was invisible to Saul. We all have blind spots of sin in our lives. We need to constantly ask God to show us our sins. We need to sincerely pray the prayer of Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."

Saul said, "They have brought them": Saul tries like Aaron and the golden calf incident at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:22) to shift the blame from himself onto others. Saul attempts to palliate the offense by alleging a good motive. No doubt the Israelites very likely did bring the animals from the Amalekites and very likely the excuse of holding a great sacrifice to God had been put prominently forward. But reasons are never wanting when men have made up their minds. The people who so readily obeyed Saul (1 Samuel 14:24, 34, 40) would have obeyed him now, had Saul really wished for it. For a king so willful and imperious as Saul to seek for excuses, and to try to throw the blame on others, marks a thorough break down of his moral character.

But the rest we have utterly destroyed: As it later turns out, this was not even true. There were still Amalekites left alive. David later had to deal with the Amalekites (1 Samuel 27:8, 1 Samuel 30:1, 2 Samuel 8:12). Haman, the evil man who tried to wipe out all the Jews in the days of Esther, was a descendant of Agag (Esther 3:1). Most ironic of all, when Saul was killed on the battle field, an Amalekite claimed to have delivered the final thrust of the sword (2 Samuel 1:8-10). When we do not obey God completely, the "left over" portion will come back and trouble us...and sometimes ever kill us.

Wait: Saul was very likely turning away from Samuel, desiring to close the interview. Samuel is tired of hearing Saul's excuses and interjects to give Saul the word of the LORD.



B. Saul is rejected as king

1. (1 Sam 15:17-21) the charge against Saul, and his feeble defense
Samuel said, "Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, and the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, 'Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated.' Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD, but rushed upon the spoil and did what was evil in the sight of the LORD?" Then Saul said to Samuel, "I did obey the voice of the LORD, and went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal."

Though you were little in your own eyes: This is a reference to Saul's own words of astonishment that he should be chosen as king. ("Saul replied, 'Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?'" 1 Samuel 9:21) Samuel wishes to remind Saul that as his elevation came solely from God, and obedience was due to God. (Side note: There is a tradition in the Targum that Saul's elevation to king was a reward for the courage of the tribe of Benjamin at the passage of the Red Sea, when the tribe of Benjamin sought to pass over first.)

The sinners, the Amalekites: Sin was the grounds for their doom. The special sin which singled them out for punishment was their opposition to the will of God in regards to the destiny of His people, Israel. Similar phrasing is used of the men of Sodom: "Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD" Genesis 13:13.

I did obey the voice of the LORD: Saul still insists that he obeyed God. He believes he has fulfilled his mission and destroyed the Amalekites, and he brought back Agag with him for proof. Additionally, the people had brought back the spoil for sacrifice and not for their own pleasure.

But the people took some of the spoil: After insisting that he is innocent, Saul then blames the people for the sin. His statement was a half-truth. It was true that the people took some of the plunder, but the only did so by following Saul's example (i.e., he spared Agag king of Amalek). Moreover, Saul did nothing to stop or discourage the people from taking the plunder.

Saul was very zealous in commanding his army when it suited him. In the previous chapter, he commanded a death sentence on anyone who ate anything on the day of battle. He was willing to execute his own son in his zest to have his command obeyed. Saul was full of fire when it came to his own will, but not when it came to the will of God.


2. (1 Sam 15:22-23) Samuel prophesies God's judgment against King Saul
Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice: These words which Samuel utters rips apart the long list of Saul's excuses for disobeying God. These words are the framework for a long list of subsequent prophets who preach against the common error that external ceremonies can be of any value in the sight of God when separated from the true devotion of a worshiper's heart. (See Psalm 40:6-8, Psalm 50:8, Psalm 51:16-17, Isaiah 1:11-15, Jeremiah 6:20, Hosea 6:6, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8, Matthew 9:13 and Mathew 12:7) This passage asserts in the clearest terms the superiority of moral to ritual worship, and God can only be served with the heart.

We could make a thousand sacrifices to God, give millions of dollars to His work or work thousands of hours for God's service, but all these sacrifices mean little if there is not a surrendered heart to God shown by simple obedience.

Iniquity: Literally means "nothingness". It is constantly used in the Old Testament for "an idol". This is its significance here as the word coupled with it and rendered idolatry is really "teraphim". Teraphim were household idols and were supposed to bring good luck. (Teraphim are first mentioned in the Bible when Rachel takes her father Laban's teraphim as she and her household leave her father's land and move to Israel (Genesis 31).) The verse would be better rendered as follows: "For rebellion is the sin of divination and obstinacy is an idol and teraphim."

He has also rejected you from being king: God pronounced an official sentence on Saul. However, the sentence was not immediate. Saul continued to be king for almost 25 years before there was another king enthroned in Israel. Saul's rejection was final, but he continued to be king until the day of his death. Ultimately, God's sentence confirms that Saul's dynasty would not be passed on to his descendants. When Saul died, his throne would be transferred to another family.

1 Samuel Chapter 15 Part One (Verses 1-11)

GOD REJECTS SAUL AS KING

A. Battle against the Amalekites
1. ( Sam 15:1-3) A clear command: destroy Amalek
Then Samuel said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you as king over His people, over Israel; now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'"

Then Samuel said to Saul: There is no period of time mentioned here, but probably a considerable interval has elapsed before this second trial of Saul was made. God does not finally reject a man until, after repeated opportunities for repentance, he finally proves obstinate. David committed worse crimes than Saul, but he had a tender conscience, and each fall was followed by deep sorrow. Saul sinned and did not repent. Just as the priest Eli had a first warning, which was a really a call to repentance (1 Samuel 2:27), and was only made irrevocable by his persistence in the same sins for many years (1 Samuel 3:11-14), so it was with Saul. Samuel's words in 1 Samuel 13:13-14 were a stern warning to Saul, and if Saul would have taken them to heart, God would have forgiven him his sin. Saul did not repent, but repeated his offense and so his sentence was confirmed.

I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel: The Amalekites were a fierce, nomadic people, who roamed through the deserts which lie between southern Judea and Egypt. They were descended from Esau's grandson Amalek ("Timna was a concubine of Esau's son Eliphaz and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These are the sons of Esau's wife Adah" Genesis 36:12.).

Not long after Israel's exodus from Egypt, the Amalekites attacked the almost defenseless rear guard of Israel in the desert of Rephidim. The Amalekites were then, under the command of Moses, defeated by Joshua. ("Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, 'Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.' Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hands up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hands down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other side. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven'" Exodus 17:9-14.)

During the generations that followed, the hand of Amalek seems to have been constantly lifted against Israel. They joined with the Canaanutes and were victorious in a battle near Hormah (Numbers 14:45). They allied with the Moabites (Judges 3:13) and the Midianites (Judges 6:3) to continue their relentless attacks on Israel.

Go and strike Amalek: God could have judge Amalek directly as He did against the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but God had a special purpose for His nation, Israel. God wanted the Amalekites to be a test of obedience for Saul and for Israel. Moreover, since Amalek's sin against Israel was a military attack, God wanted to make the judgment fit the sin.

Utterly destroy: The Hebrew word here is "herem" and means to be put under the ban. This meant that everything put under the ban was devoted to God. Moreover, whatever was devoted to God could not be redeemed but must be slain. When a country was put under the ban, all living things--men and cattle--were to be killed. No spoil could be taken, but it was to be burned. Things indestructible by fire such as silver and gold were to be brought into the treasury.


2. (1 Sam 15:4-6) Saul prepares for the attack on the Amalekites
Then Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley. Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart, go down from among the Amalekites, so that I do not destroy you with them; for you showed kindness to all the sons of Israel when they came up from Egypt." So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

In Telaim: This place is identical with Telem, a place on the southern border of Judah, near the region where the Amalekites dwelt. The name means "lambs" and probably was not a city but an open place where lambs were collected from the pastures in the wilderness.

10,000 men of Judah: This implies that 200,000 foot soldiers were from the other 11 tribes. It is interesting to note that when Saul fought the Philistines, he only had 600 men. Now, it seems Israel has grown in its confidence in Saul, and the whole country now supports Saul and his war efforts.

The Kenites: This tribe was the people from which Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came from and was part of the nation of Midian. ("The descendants of the Kenites, Moses' father-in-law, went up from the city of palms with the sons of Judah, to the wilderness of Judah which is in the south of Arad; and they went and lived with the people" Judges 1:16.) The Kenites accompanied the Israelites on their march as far as Jericho and then went and dwelt among the Amalekites in the desert to the south of Judah. The Kenites are mentioned again in 1 Samuel 27:10 and 1 Samuel 30:29 as friends of Israel.


3. (1 Sam 15:7-9) Saul attacks the Amalekites
So Saul defeated the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, which is east of Egypt. He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.

From Havilah...to Shur: That is, from one end of their country to the other.

Agag: This was the common title of the Amalekite kings, as Pharaoh was that of the kings of Egypt.

But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of...: Perhaps it was out of sympathy for a fellow king or perhaps it was to show off a royal dignitary, but Saul deliberately disobeyed God's command given in verse three which outlined that every ox, sheep, camel and donkey was to be destroyed. Saul and his military followed God's command as far as they could without inconvenience and loss to themselves. To spare the best of Amalek is equivalent to sparing some root of evil, some indulgence or some favorite sin. For us, Agag represents that evil propensity which exists in all of us for self-gratification. To spare Agag is to be merciful to ourselves, to exonerate and excuse our failures and to condone our sin.

In war during ancient times, armies were freely permitted to plunder their conquered foes. This was often how the army was paid. But it was wrong for anyone in Israel to benefit from the war against the Amalekites because it was an appointed judgment from God.

Everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed: Saul and his military were careful to keep the very best for themselves. This is perhaps the worst action of all because Israel did not show God's heart in judgment. When they came home happy and excited because of what they gained from battle, they implied there was something joyful or happy about God's judgment. This dishonored God, who brings His judgment reluctantly and without pleasure, longing that men would repent instead. "The Lord if not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient to you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).


4. (1 Sam 15:10-11) God's word to Samuel
Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands." And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all night long.

I regret that I have made Saul king: In the language of the Old Testament, God is said to repent (or regret) when a change in the character and conduct of those with whom He is dealing leads to a corresponding change in His plans and purposed toward them. Thus, upon man's penitence, God repents and withdraws a threatened punishment (see Exodus 32:14 and 2 Samuel 24:16). Additionally, upon man's faithlessness and disobedience, God can cancel a promise or revokes a blessing which He had given. As a man desires to make a change when he repents, so when God in Scripture is said to repent; we may expect a change from Him. God changed Saul's kingdom when it is said that He regretted making him king.

And Samuel was distressed: The literal Hebrew is "it burned Samuel". The same phrase is used in Jonah 4:1 where it is rendered "he became angry". But with whom was Samuel angry? Most likely at the whole course of events, and especially with Saul. In choosing Saul, Samuel had hoped that, in addition to his military qualities, he would possess a religious and obedient heart. Samuel had now obtained for Saul a second trial, and if, warned by his earlier failure, he had proven trustworthy, all might have been well.

And cried out to the LORD all night long: Samuel offered earnest prayer for forgiveness for Saul and for a change in Saul's heart. Samuel no doubt loved Saul and therefore prayed for him. But no change came in answer to his prayer, and as forgiveness is conditional upon man's repentance, Saul was not forgiven. It is remarkable how often Samuel is said to be "crying" out to the LORD (see 1 Samuel 7:8-9 and 1 Samuel 12:18).