Why did you not obey the Lord ? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord ?” (1 Samuel 15:19 NIV)
This episode in the life of Saul and the initial run of human monarchy in Israel is among the most tragic.
It’s not as though Saul had not been aware before of his track record with obedience. The instructions he was given were clear. To have the audacity to first suggest, he had been obedient, then to rationalise his disobedience to make it look as though he was honouring God clearly showed how his attention wasn’t first and foremost on obedience. Samuel’s charge remains a stinging one – Saul had rejected the word of the Lord.
Throughout this last conversation Samuel and Saul would have before the former’s death, Saul is in face saving mode. Sure, he’s sinned, but he still needs Samuel to come and support the offerings to God. When he rips Samuel’s cloak, the prophet lets the king know that his actions have torn away the Kingdom from his grasp. It is irrevocably torn.
The overriding theme of the chapter is about obedience. Among all that though there is a broken heart. Samuel mourning and weeping for the man he had anointed to be King. Not only was the Kingdom torn, but so was their relationship. This really hurt Samuel to the core to see Saul being so loose with the instructions of God.
Seeing people rebel against God, it can be easy to look in condemnation on their actions. It is easy to dismiss them for their arrogance or refusal to submit. Do we feel torn, though as we see others tear away from God? Does it do anything to our desire to be pleasing to God in obeying His instructions?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 