Lessons From King Saul – Toni M. Babcock
As a writing prompt, I decided I would write about the first portion of Scripture I flipped open in my Bible. I found it in 1 Samuel chapter 15, where King Saul is reprimanded by the Prophet Samuel because of his failure to follow God’s instructions in the battle with the Amalekites. The LORD didn’t want the Israelites to keep the best of the spoils for themselves, but Saul caved in to pressure and allowed the best spoils to be preserved and brought back to their camp. Saul hatched a reasonable excuse, explaining to Samuel they spared the choice goats, cattle and young rams, to be used for sacrifices to the LORD.
“Then Samuel said: Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as King.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23 CSB)
Seeing he was rejected, Saul suddenly became sorry for his sins. (The remainder of his life points to insincerity, of being only sorry for himself.) “I have sinned. I have transgressed the LORD’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them. Now therefore please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.” (1 Samuel 15:24 CSB)
What do we learn from Saul’s demise? Be fiercely loyal to God’s Word. Don’t capitulate to the fear of man. Don’t make excuses. Don’t be sorry just because you got caught. Pray God gives you true repentance, and you’ll keep your influence for Christ in this world intact.
As believers in Jesus, we’re all in a battle to take back the ground that was lost to the enemy. Give God all the glory, and hold on to nothing but faith in Him.
Toni Babcock is the author of Reflections from the Heart. Contact