This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo)) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 15, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In 1 Samuel Chapter 15 is illustrated how Saul didn’t really care about what God wanted - that is, he didn’t have a heart after God. Many Christians do things for God, but don’t care about what God wants. They serve God for their own benefit, as Thomas a Kempis called it, as “spiritual mercenaries.” Very few serve God because they love Him and love His ways.
The amalekites were the first nation to attack Israel after they left Egypt - and may have been aligned with Pharaoh. Now God wants to deal with them, but they fail to do the job properly. Much later in the story of Esther, the antagonist, Haman is a descendant of Agag the Amalekite. Because they didn’t properly finish the job off and it came back to be a problem later on.
After Saul’s disobedience, Samuel said, “Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying Yahweh’s voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. Listening to God isn’t about just knowing what he is saying, but about putting it into practice. True listening is challenging and requires grace.
Saul says “I have sinned.” This is something that six others in the Bible also said. These are Pharaoh, Balaam, Saul, David, Shimei, Judas and the Prodigal son. Of the seven people in scripture who said “I have sinned”, only David’s (plus the prodigal son” exhibit true repentance. The others simply regret they have been caught, or regret how it turned out.
Sep 19, 2021 | Message by David Alley