But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." (I Samuel 15:22, NLT)

Saul, the first king of Israel, began well. His ending, however, was sad. But let's look at some background to better understand what happened to a promising life.

It was never God's plan for Israel to be ruled by a king, but the people insisted. They wanted — or perhaps demanded is a better word — a ruler like the surrounding nations. Samuel, the priest/prophet/judge who currently led Israel, was old and his sons were corrupt. Although it felt like rejection, God said the people were really rejecting Him, not Samuel (I Samuel 8:7).

GOD'S CHOICE

The man God chose to anoint as king was Saul, a tall, handsome young man from the tribe of Benjamin (I Samuel 9:2). However, when the time came for him to be anointed before the people, Saul could not be found. He was hiding among all the baggage.

Gradually, we see changes in Saul's life. Pride crept in. He showed impatience and then disobedience. He offered excuses to justify his actions. He displayed a loss of respect for God. Somehow, that modest young man who hid among the baggage disappeared, and not in a good way.

First Samuel 15 describes a major turning point in Saul's life. God said Israel was to completely destroy the Amalekites and everything they owned. Instead, Saul spared Agag, their king, and some of the best animals from their herds. Saul blatantly disobeyed God's command — but he had excuses. He, of course, would have called them reasons. When confronted by Samuel, Saul justified his actions by saying he had saved these animals as a sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel asked which was more important: sacrifices or obeying the voice of the Lord.

Seeing Saul's downward slide demonstrates that a good beginning does not guarantee that we will finish well. Proverbs 14:12 warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death" (ESV). We must be on guard and search our hearts daily.

BIBLICAL OBEDIENCE

I recently read a beautiful definition of biblical obedience. It described obedience as "walking in harmony with God's plan."

Obedience brings blessings, but disobedience has consequences. Samuel told Saul, "For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel" (I Samuel 15:26, ESV). Excuses and self-justification do not erase the consequences of our actions. And just to make it clear, partial obedience is still disobedience.

When God speaks, we must listen. Our obedience is an acknowledgement that His ways are higher than our ways. His ways are always best. We will find peace and safety when we choose to walk in harmony with God's plan. Unfortunately, this is a lesson that King Saul refused to learn.

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." (I John 5:3, ESV)

PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you struggle with obedience to God? Do you find yourself making excuses instead of admitting your failings before the Lord? What can you do today to deepen your relationship with the Lord and surrender to His will?

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk