1 Samuel 15:20-21

New International Version (NIV)

“But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission … I completely destroyed the Amalekites … The soldiers took sheep and cattle … in order to sacrifice them to the Lord.”

For meditation

What was King Saul thinking? God’s instruction was simple. “Go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys” (1 Sam. 15:3).

1. So, why did Saul spare Agag?
2. Where was his focus?
3. Did he at all understand the orders given to him?
4. How well did he know God?
5. Was he concerned with what pleases Him?

That is the problem we all have with God. We often assume on Him. We think in worldly terms, consider in light of human opinion, and decide for our personal and selfish interests. And we think it is acceptable. “God understands,” we console ourselves. “He knows my dilemma, and that I did my best under the circumstances.” But what we don’t reckon is that that attitude assumes that we are wiser than God. The Almighty knows exactly what He requires and what we should do.

Consider Saul’s attitude when Samuel confronted him with his failure and effectual assault on God’s authority and you will realize his faulted mentality towards God. He theorized that simply going to fight the Amalekites, killing everybody but their king, and keeping the best of their animals would be mission accomplished (20-21). But not so with God!

Partial obedience is no obedience at all. In fact, it is an abomination to God. He demands complete obedience. As Samuel said:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry” (22-23).

Saul may have gone to battle determined to annihilate the Amalekites as God had instructed (6). But, not doing exactly what God demanded was disobedience and affront to Him. Maybe some things triggered in his mind when everything was going well for him. Could Agag have been his friend? Didn’t the soldiers deserve some reward for their efforts? The sheep and cattle as sacrifice to the Lord was just an excuse. Whatever his mindset, God was displeased and disappointed.

I pray that during this Passion Week, we will ponder over our attitude towards God and realize that He is displeased and insulted by our partial obedience. He considers it as rebellion and arrogance. No sacrifice would suffice or appease Him.

So: May you simply obey Him who died in complete obedience to the Father for our salvation; and may He find pleasure in you for your obedience.

Total obedience is our highest form of worship. That’s why Christ’s sacrifice was accepted by the Father.

Shalom