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1 Samuel 15, 16: The Rebellion of Saul

By Mary Fairchild

Clovermap

1581 Bunting Clover Leaf Map; Israel in the center.

1 SAMUEL 15, 16 WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE: ROMANS 3:10-12
“As it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE: THERE IS NONE THAT UNDERSTANDETH, THERE IS NONE THAT SEEKETH AFTER GOD. THEY ARE ALL GONE OUT OF THE WAY, THEY ARE TOGETHER BECOME UNPROFITABLE; THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE.”

It had been 400 years since Israel had come out of Egypt and had been attacked by the Amalekites. God showed longsuffering, fairness, mercy, and patience as he gave the Amalekites plenty of time to repent. God settles with our enemies….. Now was the time for judgment. There was to be no mercy; every living thing was to be killed.

AMALEK IS A TYPE OF FLESH—OLD NATURE THAT RISES UP WITHIN US TO DEFEAT US. Christians need to battle the fleshly desires and the appetites of the old nature. We do this by lifting our petitions to God. Amalek was a descendant of Esau, who also was a type of flesh. AS GOD COMMANDED SAUL TO DESTROY AMALEK COMPLETELY PHYSICALLY, THIS WAS THE VERY SPIRITUAL BATTLE THAT SAUL WAS PERSONALLY BATTLING INWARDLY—HIS FLESHLY NATURE. Saul continually lost in that battle with his old nature. Saul lost the rulership by not subduing the flesh in his life.

WE CAN LOSE VICTORY HERE ON EARTH AND THE PRIVILEGE OF REIGNING WITH CHRIST IN HEAVEN IF WE GIVE IN TO THE SELF-LIFE. Was Saul saved? We know that Samson was saved because in the Book of Hebrews he is listed in the hall of faith. We know that Lot was saved because the New Testament declares it. But the New Testament does not state that Saul was saved. This omission is significant. God wanted us to question Saul’s destiny. This is usually the case with carnal Christians—there salvation is not sure in the minds of other people. 2 Peter 1:10 says, “to make your calling and election sure.” This means to live for Christ before men that there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind that we are saved and serving the Lord.

SAUL’S STAND/SAMUEL’S REMINDER: The people of Jabesh were willing to compromise their freedom and their eyes to avoid war, but Saul stood up for his people and took as stand against this SICKENING WEAKNESS OF THE MEN OF JABESH. Are you willing to stand up to do what is right? Do you stand up for your parents, your church, or the Lord? Or do you go along with the crowd. When you stand up to temptations you will keep your freedom to do what is right and this prevents bondage to sin. IN WISDOM, SAUL IGNORED THOSE WHO DID NOT SUPPORT HIM (11:12, 13). We must obey the Lord if we would walk in fellowship with God (1 John 1:7) and Samuel knew the great importance of forgiveness (1 John 1:9, 10). Just as God would not forsake Israel, he will not forsake us (Heb. 13:5,6).

THE DISOBEDIENCE OF SAUL: Defeat often comes from the enemy through difficult circumstances in academic work, physical problems, personality weaknesses, and temptations to do wrong, but we can hold strong in our faith in God. Johathan responded to impossible circumstances with faith. He knew that God was not limited. Although Saul may have believed this too, he SAT while Jonathan WENT OVER to the Philistines. As Jonathan fought, he dipped his rod into honeycomb and ate the honey. This refreshed him as he fought. When we are in the heat of a battle we will be refreshed and instructed by the Word of God (Ps. 19).

SAUL RATIONALIZED HIS DISOBEDIENCE. He believed it was necessary, logical, and right for him to disobey when he sacrificed. DOING WHAT GOD SAYS IS ALWAYS RIGHT, AND ONLY THAT IS OBEDIENCE. God will not allow us to get to the point that we feel the need to disobey. Never defend yourself when you are corrected. Our natural response is to make up excuses, but God is pleased when we reflect humility and acceptance of the correction. “I was wrong; I’m sorry; forgive me” are what God hears and will answer when we are corrected and admit our error.

God’s command to Saul was to “utterly destroy the Amalekites and all that they have.” But Saul kept their king and the best animals for sacrifice (15:7-9). Samuel’s response to Saul was, “WHEN YOU KNEW YOU DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO RULE, AND YOU KNEW YOU MUST DEPEND ON GOD, HE ANNOINTED YOU KING. Now He has given you a command. Why didn’t you obey?”(15:17). Saul justifies, “I have sinned because I feared the people and gave in to them (15:24). ALTHOUGH SAUL SAID “I HAVE SINNED” HE DIDN’T REPENT. This created a separation between Samuel and Saul until he died. (15:27-31).

THE ROOT OF REBELLION IS BELIEVING A LIE ABOUT YOURSELF. Do you believe you know more than God like Saul at times? Though this is not true Saul believed that his judgment could supercede God’s command. REBELLION GROWS WHEN YOU REPENT OUTWARDLY WITHOUT INWARD SORROW AND HUMILITY OVERS SIN. Although Saul stated that he had sinned his response to God’s command revealed that he continued to resist God’s authority.

RESULTS OF REBELLION: GOD CANNOT INFLUENCE YOUR LIFE AND THIS LEAVES YOU WITHOUT PROTECTION FROM DEPRESSION AND SATANIC INFLUENCES.
1. Avoid communication with authority.
2. Low spiritual interest.
3. Low, depressed feeling.
4. Bad company interests you.
5. Morals grow more liberal.
6. General lack of gratefulness.
7. You have many questions about authority.

OVERCOMING REBELLION
1. Admit you are rebellious.
2. Admit those in authority may know more than you do.
3. Confess your rebellion to God and sincerely ask for His forgiveness and deliverance.
4. Accept the correction that is given you, whether you understand it or not. You won’t understand it until you accept it “….he that heareth reproof getteth understanding” (Prov. 15:32).
5. Develop and appreciation for those who care enough to correct you and tell them that you are
thankful for their help.

1 SAMUEL 16—THE SPIRIT OF GOD LEFT SAUL AND GOD ALLOWED AN EVIL SPIRIT TO TORMENT HIM. The Spirit of the Lord came upon young David. David was known for his military skill, godliness, and music ability. His skilled harp playing soothed King Saul from the presence of his evil spirit. Though God promises that the Holy Spirit will not leave us, rebellion takes us out of fellowship with God and removes the divine protection that we are given when we are submissive to authority. The devil is able to bombard our minds with evil, negative thoughts, and brings depression and torment. Although music can lift our spirits temporarily, only our repentance of sin and God’s deliverance can free us from the bondage of the sin of rebellion. Be aware that it is good classical and gospel music that will soothe the soul and that today’s rock music incites rebellion and actually closes your spirit to the influence of God.

It is very easy to become Satan-oriented rather than God-oriented. It often starts with curiosity, “Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them…and that thou enquire not after their gods saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?” (Deut. 12:30). The New Testament tells us to be simple (ignorant) concerning evil, but wise concerning good. FILL YOUR MIND WITH THOUGHTS OF GOD AND THINGS THAT ARE TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, OF GOOD REPORT; IF THERE BE ANY VIRTUE, IF THERE BE ANY PRAISE, THINK ON THESE THINGS.”

We are also told not to fear the devil (Luke 12:4,5). FEAR PRODUCES A SNARE THAT GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO BE CAUGHT IN. Demon and evil spirit worshippers of the heathen tribes of the world are all afraid not to worship and submit to Satan.

WHEN WE USE OUR OWN LOGIC AND REFUSE TO SUBMIT TO GOD’S WILL GOD TAKES AWAY OUR ABILITY TO SERVE JUST AS HE DID WITH SAUL. “To obey is better than sacrifice” (15:22). God is always working in the lives of others to replace those who rebel against Him (16:1). We cannot know the heart of another person but God does. God’s choice of David for replacement of Saul was not based on outward appearances; it was based on David’s heart attitude (16:7). Because God looks on the heart does not mean that our outward appearance does not matter (freaky, filthy, vulgar attire). It matters because man looks at the outward appearance and if it detracts from our spiritual message, then we do harm to the cause of God. When you play a sport your uniform tells what team you are on—everyone ought to easily identify you with God’s team.

After becoming king, David still returned to caring for his sheep which was his responsibility.  Are you easily distracted from your responsibility in homework, chores, etc.? David learned responsibility from shepherding and he learned court proceedings as an armor bearer. GOD HAS A PURPOSE AND PLAN FOR EACH OF OUR LIVES AND HE WILL PREPARE US AND PROTECT US SO THAT OUR LIVES MAY GLORIFY HIM.

WORKS CITED

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