Memory Verse: And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. I Samuel 15:22 KJV

The reign of Saul was marked by war against the Philistines (I Samuel 14:52). God would have taken great pleasure in showing His glory throughout all nations. However, the Israelites under Saul’s leadership continued in vanity. Saul himself set the example of lying to the spirit of the Lord, doing only what He thought could not be hid. Otherwise, he was bold enough to transgress God’s law completely.

We read in the fifteenth chapter of first Samuel that Saul lied to Samuel, saying that everything God commanded to be destroyed was indeed not among the Israelites.

17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? 18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. 19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? I Samuel 15:17-19 KJV

Saul erroneously presented the concept that if any disobeyed God in order to give sacrifice to God, then obeying the commandment of God was not a necessity. His words amounted to blaming the people, though he was king. God would not hold the king blameless for the sins of people.

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. I Samuel 15:22-23 KJV

Why would Saul risk disobedience? He claims that he feared the people. He did not fear the people when he believed the people feared him. Saul had to recognize where his power came from. As for his kingdom, God decided to let it pass to another. Saul had grieved the Lord. This time, though Samuel prayed for Saul, God would not allow Saul’s kingdom to stand.

And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. I Samuel 15:35 KJV

1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. I Samuel 16:1 KJV