Obedience Is Not Optional

[4] The philosophy of “doing evil that good may come of it” is a common practice of today’s society. The liquor industry often puts out ads that state that for every six-pack of Bud Lite sold between such and such dates, they will donate a certain portion of their sales to the Special Olympics, or some other worthy cause. That may be a nice gesture, but it doesn’t make the liquor industry any less despicable and destructive. Actually, it is little more than a ploy to increase sales. It actually encourages more drinking, because now, one can drink and help someone in the process.

[5] Saul’s backpedaling and crawfishing would almost be humorous if it were not so tragic. He begins to talk out of both sides of his mouth at once. One moment he vows that he has obeyed God (“…I have performed the commandment of the Lord” v. 13c), the next he admits that he has not obeyed God (“…the things which should have been utterly destroyed…” v. 21).

3. Samuel pointed out to Saul that God prefers obedience to offerings.

I Sam.15: 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.”

NOTE: [1] There are two erroneous ideas brought out in Saul’s explanation for his disobedience. The first we have already spoken of—“I’ll do evil that good may come of it.” A second idea is summed up as follows: “If I do good in one area, then God will overlook my evil in another area.” Saul’s thinking seemed to be that since he was going to make offerings and sacrifices to God with some of the spoils, God should overlook his disobedience.

1a. Some folks will send their tithe to church, but they won’t come with it.

1b. Others will attend church regularly, but live like the devil himself through the week.

[2] Samuel sort of boiled this whole situation down to one major truth—rebellion. Samuel asked Saul, “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” (v. 19)?

III. SAUL’S DOWNFALL

A. Saul’s Disobedience Brought About His Disgrace.

I Sam.15: 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.

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28 And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou.”

NOTE: Notice the league in which God places self-will and rebellion. God says it is comparable to witchcraft—devil worship. God says it is comparable to idolatry. Why? It’s because rebellion and self-will is basically the worship of self. It is placing one’s own self and will ahead of God.

B. Saul’s Disobedience Brought About His Death.

II Sam.1: 6 “And the young man that told him (David) said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.