1 Samuel 15-16

Samuel SPECIFICALLY tells Saul to destroy EVERYTHING and he blatantly disobeys and makes excuses for his sin!!

9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

10 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night.

Samuel goes to meet Saul and found Vs 12 he set up a monument in his own honor. I believe it was GOD that made Sauls battle against the Amalekites successful so why would he need his own monument?

We see that unless we FULLY obey, it’s sin and disobedience and it grieves God. Also, we can’t applaud ourselves for the good things that come into our lives, they are all from God and He deserves the glory and praise.

Samuel goes on to say that Saul was in rebellion against God and arrogant! Vs 23 The excuses Saul makes are so sad, “the men brought back the cattle and plunder” vs 22 and 24 e confesses he’s sinned then blames the people vs 24 saying he was afraid of them so he gave in to sin! We shouldn’t make excuses for sin!

I am thankful that God is a God that doesn’t lie or change His mind. He’s not a man, He is God! (vs 29)


1 Samuel 16

1 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."

God doesn’t want us to mourn for long, or wallow in the guilt of our sin. He wants us to move forward, confessing sins or coming to the understanding that things only happen when He wills it to happen. We need to move forward and do His will. Nothing is a surprise to God.

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

We need to not look at the outward appearance of man but to try and view people as God views them!

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. 14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. 23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

I thought these verses were interesting that God sent an evil spirit to torment Saul! Then, to bring relief, Saul would call on David (who’d been announced King and Saul didn’t know it!) and the evil spirit would depart him.