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The Primacy of Obedience

1 Samuel 15

As a prophet, Samuel led Israel to a restoration of God's blessing, subduing the Philistines and rescuing the Ark of the Covenant. In spite of this climate of revival, the influence of the pagan nations surrounding Israel reached its climax when the people told Samuel, "Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5b). This likelihood had been predicted by Moses years earlier and, in a concessionary gesture, he outlined the kind of godly king they should choose (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). But Israel was in a carnal state when they demanded a king of Samuel and he warned them explicitly about the dangers of what they were asking for. But the people insisted and the Lord directed Samuel to give them what they wanted (1 Samuel 8:6-22).

Israel's first king turned out to be as weak as Samuel had predicted; Samuel both "hired" and "fired" him. Physically, Saul appeared to be suited for kingship: "There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people" (1 Samuel 9:2). But looking and acting the part proved not to be the same. Saul reigned as king for 40 years with only marginal success. His kingship was taken away when he failed to obey a specific command to destroy the Amalekites—people, king, livestock, and plunder (1 Samuel 15:1-3).  Instead, Saul spared the king, the livestock, and kept the plunder.

Instead of taking responsibility for his disobedience, Saul blamed his soldiers. But Samuel the prophet knew better: "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king" (1 Samuel 15:23). Saul, and Israel, learned the hard way that God requires much from a king—beginning with obedience.

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