1 Sam. 13:11-14
Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”
Saul had recently been anointed king but not because God wanted his people led by a king. This was the desire of the people, and the Lord simply gave them what they thought they wanted. Despite this tension, God anointed Saul for this position, but it would have to be done God’s way. [10:1-16] So the faithful priest and prophet Samuel gave Saul his instructions. He told Saul exactly where to go and what to do when he got there. The directions were clear, and the details were unmistakable. God even gave Saul a new heart so that he would be equipped to carry out this office well. [v. 9] There appeared to be such great things to come. Then, God’s way was ignored, and the consequence was severe.
We say that hindsight is 20/20. Each of us has made decisions which we later say we would have decided differently had we known just a little more. Saul simply had to wait for Samuel, who appeared to be running late but whose instructions given from the Lord had been clear. Fear and nervousness prompted Saul to impatience, offering the critical sacrifice his own way. Of course, as soon as he was finished, Samuel appeared as promised. One of these men saw the great issue with this disobedience. The other seems to have shrugged it off as no big deal. The consequence for Saul would be that his reign would be doomed. The longevity that the Lord would grant to David’s kingdom could have been Saul’s had he been obedient.
We call Jesus the son of David because He came through David’s lineage. That kingdom over which David reigned will last forever through Christ. It is God’s kingdom. This could have been for Saul, but his heart was hardened. He chose his own way instead of God’s way, and that would lead to his downfall. His pattern of disobedience would keep him from what God desired to set aside for him. In fact, the Lord would regret making Saul king at all. [15:35] Let us learn from this story and choose to obey God so that every plan He has for us can be fulfilled. Father, help us to remain faithful, that we would not allow disobedience to keep us from what You desire for us.
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