CHILDREN STS LESSON 1 SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE AND REJECTION
Text: 1 Samuel 13:1-23; 15:1-35
Saul was a young man from the tribe of Benjamin. His father’s name was Kish. One day, his father sent him to go look for the family’s lost asses (animal). His obedience to his father brought him into divine favour and appointment with God through Prophet Samuel. Saul was very handsome, having good stature and humble. He hearkened to the advice of his father’s servant to visit Prophet Samuel, the man of God, when they were looking for their asses. This was where he was chosen as king by God and given a divine assignment. However, when he became king, he chose to obey and fear man rather than God. Therefore, he was rejected by God. He never repented and this led to his final rejection and separation from God. Disobedience for whatever reasons always make God unhappy. He demands absolute obedience to all His commandments. You must make up your mind to obey God at all times.
- RECORDS OF SAUL’S ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE:
1 Samuel 13 1-9; 10:8; 15:1-9
There were two instances where Saul, after he became king, disobeyed God’s instructions. One is recorded in 1 Samuel 13 and the other in 1 Samuel 15. Immediately Saul was crowned king, war broke out between Israel and their longtime enemy, the Philistines. Saul set out to perform his duty of defending Israel. He gathered the armies of Israel together for battle. The Philistine’s armies were very many. They also had weapons of war whereas the children of Israel were very few and had no weapon with which to fight. They became afraid of the Philistines. Saul decided to go against God’s command and offered sacrifice to God instead of waiting for Prophet Samuel. Offering of sacrifices to God was only meant for the priests. King Saul felt he could manage his life alone without the assistance of God who had made him king over His people, Israel. As a boy or girl, you should know that there is nothing that you can do without the help of God.
God remembered the wickedness of the Amalekites and instructed Prophet Samuel to tell Saul to utterly destroy them. God wanted to wipe out the Amalekites from the face of the earth, just like what He did to Jericho. Every living creature there was to be destroyed. No spoil (treasures) were to be brought home from Amalek. It was judgment time for the Amalekites. Saul obeyed God partially. He went to Amalek but did not complete his assignment. He probably thought that he was wiser than God. Instead of destroying the entire living things found in Amalek, he listened to the people that went with him and spared the best of the animals, other good things found there and also took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive. They only destroyed the things that were worthless. King Saul did this because of pride, greed and lack of respect for God’s word. Partial or incomplete obedience is as dangerous as outright disobedience. When Prophet Samuel confronted Saul with the evidence of his sins, he started giving excuses.
He blamed others for his wrongdoing and refused to genuinely repent. This is the attitude of some boys and girls. They are fond of blaming others for their misbehaviors while some are in the habit of not completely obeying biblical commands and godly counsels from their parents and teachers. Now, what is disobedience? It means a deliberate refusal to do what you are told to do, either by God, parents or teachers. We have a lot of lessons to learn from the life of Saul. (a) We must be patient. If you know what God wants, don’t go against the word of God no matter the pressure from peers or society. God may sometimes test our obedience and patience through a little delay of answer to our prayer. (b) Saul was a king and not a priest. It was only the priest that was allowed to make sacrifice. We must do things according to laid down rules and regulations. (c) Always call upon the Lord for help when you are in trouble or facing any challenge. (d) God wanted to give Israel victory without using their sword in battle so that His Name will be glorified (1Samuel 13:19-23). € We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Saul listened to the voice of the people instead of obeying God’s word.
- REJECTION OF SAUL BECAUSE OF DISOBEDIENCE:
1 Samuel 13:10-15; 15:10-29
God does not easily reject sinners. He always gives them time to repent. Saul had earlier gone against God’s commandment when he offered sacrifice that he was not supposed to offer. Prophet Samuel then corrected him. Yet, he did not learn from his past mistake. His disobedience was deliberate and he paid dearly for it. He was disqualified and rejected from being king. Though he continued to rule, he was like a figure head. God’s presence departed from him and he had no counsel or guidance from God. Finally, king Saul became mentally sick and eventually died in battle with his son. It is not how well that we start the Christian race that is important; it is how well we finish it. To finish well, saved boys and girls must be careful not to tread the path that Saul trod. They must totally surrender to God and obey His word at all times. The Lord delights in obedience to His word far more than religious activities. Your Christian life must be balanced, showing complete (100%) obedience to God’s word. This is the way to enjoy God’s blessing all through the days of your life.
- REPENT AND TURN FROM DISOBEDIENCE:
1 Samuel 15:22; Luke 13:3; 1 John 1:7-9
Children who still find it difficult to obey the word of God, despite the fact that they hear it from time to time must repent now. God does not want sinners to perish (2 Peter 3:9); He wants them to repent and be saved. Saul sinned against God; even when Samuel told him, he did not repent but rather gave excuses for his actions. He forgot that God sees our hearts and knows our motives (1 Samuel 2:3). If Saul had showed that he was truly sorry for his disobedience, he would have received pardon and his kingship would have continued with his children. The Lord is calling you to repent today and not tomorrow because tomorrow may be too late. Confess all your sins of disobedience and stubbornness to God. Believe that God loves you. Ask Him to forgive you and wash you clean with the blood of Jesus. Surrender to Him and invite Jesus to come into your heart (Revelation 3:20). Read God’s word every day, meditate on it and obey it.
QUESTIONS:
- What is disobedience?
- Saul was the first ______ in Israel from the tribe of _____.
- Mention the name of the prophet that was sent to Saul.
- Mention five people in the Bible who disobeyed God.
- How can a sinner be free from disobedience?
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)
LESSON: Obedience is the key to pleasing God.
THOUGHT: I will obey and please God so as to enjoy His blessings.
ACTIVITY: Place a mark in each box that states the action you find easy to obey and X in those you often find difficult to obey. You can write out more actions. Then pray that God will help you to be obedient in all things.
- Reading the Bible
- House chores
- School assignments
- Showing respect
- Praying
- Attending fellowship
HOMEWORK: Pray daily for grace to live an obedient life.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 47 – JUST OBEY
CHORUSES:
(1) Give me grace to follow, abundant grace to follow
(2) I am ready to obey thy word
(3) Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Stubbornness Rejected 3. Delighted 4. Priesthood 5. Disobedience.
