Samuel gives the Word of the LORD to Saul, telling the king to devote to destruction the idolatrous Amalekites. Saul faithfully spares the Kenites, who had previously attached themselves to Israel, but Saul unfaithfully spares the Amalekite king and the choicest animals. The LORD sends Samuel to tell Saul that Saul has been rejected as king. When Saul claims to have been obedient, sparing the animals for the sake of sacrifice, Samuel clearly reveals Saul’s rebellion, for the king thought he knew better than God. The kingdom will be ripped from Saul as Saul ripped Samuel’s robe. Samuel does return back to the army with Saul, and Samuel kills the Amalekite king, as Saul should have done.

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 15:1-35.

"A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like Samuel and Nathan. Even as princes like Saul and David sit on an earthly throne, the LORD remains King over His people, even as He does now and forever through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]