< 1 Samuel 15 >

Saul, as the LORD’s anointed,v.11 Samuel 15:1XWaiting for response was called upon to destroy Amalek who for centuries had persecuted God’s people.v.21 Samuel 15:2XWaiting for response Israel did successfully overthrow the Amalekites but Saul spared Agag their king and the best of their flocks.vs.8-91 Samuel 15:8-9XWaiting for response This was disobedience, just one of the many by Saul which grieved the LORD and distressed Samuel.v.111 Samuel 15:11XWaiting for response Saul nevertheless sought to justify his behaviour. He did not give any explanation of why Agag was spared but he said the flocks were kept for sacrifice to the LORD. Even as he disobeyed he thought he “performed the commandment of the LORD”.v.131 Samuel 15:13XWaiting for response This illustrates how important it is to examine our own behaviour, not according to our own thinking, but in the light of God’s word.

It is interesting to note that “Agag” was the Amalekites’ title for their ruler, just as “Pharaoh” was the Egyptian’s, and it is the title applied in prophecy to the leader of the nations who will attack Israel when Jesus intervenes to save them Ezekiel 38:1Ezekiel 38:1XWaiting for response .The title appears slightly differently in English because “Agag” comes to us directly from Hebrew, whereas “Gog” comes via Chaldean. Amalek was the chief enemy of Israel in ancient times Exodus 17:16Exodus 17:16XWaiting for response so it was appropriate that the title of their ruler should be used by God as that of her enemy at the time of Israel’s final affliction and deliverance.

In his reprimand, Samuel enunciated a most important principle: “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams”. We do not now sacrifice animals, but many people make what they consider great sacrifices for God, thinking it will please him and bring them a reward but, if at the same time they disobey his commandments, their sacrifices are unacceptable to him. The essential thing is to obey God’s word for if we reject it we will be rejected by him, as was Saul.