YOUTH STS LESSON 209 SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE AND REJECTION
TEXT: 1 Samuel 13:1-23; 15:1-35
MEMORY VERSE: “And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel” (1 Samuel 15:26).
Society demands obedience from its citizens to ensure personal and societal happiness. In like manner, God requires obedience for our present and eternal happiness. Therefore, God demands and expects man to obey Him. Disobedience to His revealed will attracts judgment. Adam and Eve disobeyed Him and were punished (Genesis 3:17-19). The generation of Noah disobeyed God and He consumed them with flood. Sodom and Gomorrah refused to walk in His way and they were consumed by fire and brimstones. In our text, Saul was directed by Samuel to wait for him but he was impatient and went ahead to offer burnt offering which was not his duty. He also failed to fully destroy the Amalekites. Since every disobedience had recompense, he was rejected as king.
Question 1: Why did Saul disobey despite Samuel’s instruction?
Saul gave reasons that led to his disobedience. These include delay of Samuel, the scattering of his soldiers and advancement of the Philistines. Fear led to impatience which led to disobedience, whereas, Samuel had earlier told them to fear the Lord only. “If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers” (1 Samuel 12:14,15). Excuses cannot turn disobedience to obedience; we must obey God at all costs and at all times.
- SAUL DISOBEYS THE COMMAND OF THE LORD (1 Samuel 13:1-23; 15:1-9; Luke 6:46-49)
“Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent” (1 Samuel 13:1,2). The major reason Israel demanded a king was for someone to lead them to battle against their enemies. Judging from previous battles, the number of soldiers selected for this battle was grossly inadequate. Saul had the opportunity for spiritual, mental and physical preparation, yet he was caught under-equipped.
“And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear” (1 Samuel 13:3). As Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines, Saul knew he was in trouble and called Israel together to move them to war. The action of Jonathan attracted counter reaction from the Philistines. It provoked them into anger because Israel had fallen out of favour with them. Therefore, they came against Israel in battle. The question is, was Israel really prepared for war? Could they match the strength of the army of the Philistines with just only three thousand soldiers? “When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits” (1 Samuel 13:6). Israel, a formerly dreaded nation, was now in distress. The number of their soldiers would not have been the issue if they had been in right relationship with God because He saves without consideration of number. Christian youths should not joke with the privilege of the presence of God in their lives.
Question 2: What can you learn from the situation confronting Israel at this time?
The reality of Israel’s rejection of Samuel and consequent demand for a king had begun to show. They became exposed and vulnerable without the help of God. Meanwhile, Jonathan had provoked the Philistines without thinking of the consequences and their lack of readiness for the battle. Israel was helpless and hapless! (Proverbs 3:5-7).
Christ admonishes Christian youths: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4,5). The secret of spiritual strength, victory and preservation is in abiding with the Lord. It was ignorance and impatience that led Israel to this situation.
“And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed; but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him” (verse 8). Saul was informed to wait for seven days for Samuel to come and offer burnt offering before the commencement of the war (1 Samuel 10:8). Saul waited for seven days and Samuel had not arrived. As the army of the Philistines approached, the people scattered from him. Hence, he offered the sacrifice. Sometimes, God tries our patience at a time of trouble. He wants to know if truly we trust Him.
Question 3: What is the danger of impatience?
“And Saul said, bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering” (1 Samuel 13:9). Saul did not pass the test. He was impatient and prayerless. Had he remembered that God cares so much for His people and cannot abandon them in times of trouble, he would have waited. There are alternative actions he would have taken instead of disobedience. One, he could have prayed for God’s intervention at this time. Two, he could have encouraged himself in the Lord as David and Hezekiah did (1 Samuel 30:6; 2 Kings 19:1-4).
In times of challenges as Christian youths, we should: one, understand that God is aware and He is near. “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:2). Two, when parents, friends and brethren abandon us, we should not be discouraged, but know that God has promised to be with us at such a time (Psalm 27:10). Three, we should always cultivate the habit of obeying God no matter the condition. Four, we should learn to pray before taking actions. Five, we should learn to be patient.
As soon as Saul offered the sacrifice, Samuel appeared. Impatience and fear made Saul to fail. He was rejected as king over Israel and suffered dearly for it later. Same can happen to careless Christian youths who do not heed God’s instructions. Saul did not have the courage to approach the war after Samuel had rebuked him. He and Jonathan, the two key players in the army of Israel remained in Gilbeah. Ironically, it was the Philistines who did not know God who approached the battle with great courage and plan. They were set to spoil the entire land of Israel as they came in three companies. What a great strategy! They moved forward towards the place where the army of Israel abode and took possession of major escape routes.
Saul and Israel at this time were in an extreme situation. There were no weapons. No blacksmith was in sight to make them weapons. Without bows and arrows, they could not fight (1 Samuel 13:22). The only remedy for them would have been God’s intervention. But Saul had lost his relationship with God. He had lost both physical and spiritual defence. When a Christian youth loses his physical and spiritual weapons, he will experience defeat every day.
Question 4: What was the consequences of Saul’s disobedience?
He was rebuked and reproved by Samuel. God also rejected him from being king. “And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee” (1 Samuel 13:13,14).
- SAMUEL REPROVES KING SAUL (1 Samuel 15:10-23; Isaiah 1:10-12; Romans 1:29-32; 2 samuel 12:7-13)
God revealed to Samuel what Saul had done, how it grieved Him and how He had rejected him as king over His people. This was as a result of Saul’s partial obedience and covetousness. Samuel, though grieved, still prayed all night on the matter. Leaders and officers are expected to pray on issues about their members who have erred or on discipline for wrong doings because they are watchmen (Ezekiel 22:30). In 1 Samuel 15:12-15, Samuel went down to meet Saul after prayer. He was not carried away by the modified report but went on to declare the word of God without fear or favour. “Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on” (1 Samuel 15:16). He reminded Saul of the honour God showed him in making him king (verse 17). Successful, honoured and wealthy people should often remember their humble beginnings and should not think highly of themselves, but rather endeavour to please God.
Samuel reminded Saul of the assignment God gave him. “…Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed” (verse 18). Then, Samuel rebuked him, for his disobedience. “Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?” (verse 19). Unfortunately, Saul put up a defense, claiming he was right. He transferred the blame to his army rather than repenting and asking God for forgiveness (verses 20,21).
There are people in the Scriptures whose sins were forgiven for their humble and penitent heart. They include: Abimelech (Genesis 20:3-9), David (2 Samuel 12:7-13), the Ninevites (Jonah 3:5-10) and Peter (Matthew 26:75). “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Question 5: How did God compare the disobedience of Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22,23?
“And Samuel said, 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” (1 Samuel 15:22). Christian youths should realise that to be obedient to God is more profitable than being involved with religious activities. Rebellion and stubbornness are as terrible as the sin of witchcraft and idolatry. The question God is asking us today is, “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats” (Isaiah 1:11). “Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (verse 23). Have you counted the cost of rejecting the Lord? The fear of God should supersede the fear of people in your life in order not to incur God’s wrath.
- THE STRENGTH OF ISRAEL REJECTS SAUL AS KING
(1 Samuel 15:24-35; Deuteronomy 25:17-19; Jeremiah 51:20-23; Exodus 18:1-7; Galatians 6:7)
“And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent” (1 Samuel 15:29). From our text, God is referred to as the Strength of Israel. As such, through Samuel, He announced His rejection of Saul as King.
“And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice” (1 Samuel 15:24). Saul eventually submitted. It is not proper to wait for pronouncement of judgment before repentance, which might be too late like that of Saul. His prayer was to Samuel not to God (verse 25). This made his repentance false. Because he dishonoured God, God rejected and deposed him (verse 25,26).
The dethronement of Saul was pronounced with emphasis (verses 27-29). It is a lesson for every Christian youth, that “God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another” (Psalm 75:6,7). Whatsoever we are doing for Him must be in complete obedience to His instructions. “Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God” (verse 30). Saul did not realise the gravity of what he did. He was still requesting honour before the people. The Bible says; “Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, …for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Samuel 2:30). Samuel slew Agag to complete the assignment God gave Saul, and never came to see Saul until his death, but rather mourned for him (1 Samuel 15:32-35).
Question 6: What can we learn from Saul’s experience?
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Christian youths and leaders must learn from the life of Saul that they must not change the instruction of God for whatever reason (Revelation 22:18,19). They must not follow multitude to do evil (Exodus 23:2) but trust God and eschew the fear of men (Proverbs 29:25). They must also reject any evil suggestion (Proverbs 1:10) and hold fast to what they have in God lest they lose it (Revelation 2:25; 3:11).
