Lesson 14
God gave Saul’s rule the best start possible by uniting all Israel behind him. Influenced by what he saw around him, Saul was impatient and often didn’t follow the instructions or the words of God. Saul repeatedly chose to disobey God, dooming his kingdom. God began looking for a man who would replace Saul as king.
1 Samuel 11:12-15 Living Bible
12 Then the people exclaimed to Samuel, “Where are those men who said that Saul shouldn’t be our king? Bring them here and we will kill them!” 13 But Saul replied, “No one will be executed today; for today the Lord has rescued Israel!” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us all go to Gilgal and reconfirm Saul as our king.” 15 So they went to Gilgal and in a solemn ceremony before the Lord they crowned him king. Then they offered peace offerings to the Lord, and Saul and all Israel were very happy.
1 Samuel 13:13-14 New International Reader’s Version
13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You haven’t obeyed the command the Lord your God gave you. If you had, he would have made your kingdom secure over Israel for all time to come. 14 But now your kingdom won’t last. The Lord has already looked for a man who is dear to his heart. He has appointed him king of his people. That’s because you haven’t obeyed the Lord’s command.”
1 Samuel 15:22-23 New Living Translation
22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
1 Samuel 15:26-28 Revised Standard Version
26 And Samuel said to 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.” 27 As Samuel turned to go away, Saul laid hold upon the skirt of his robe, and it tore. 28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.
Saul was told his obedience and submission to God’s word was better than sacrifice. Rebellion and stubbornness was as bad as worshiping idols and witchcraft. When we reject the words and meanings God chose in the Bible are we sinning like Saul?