The Israelites have the king the asked for, but like most politicians, the power has gone to his head. Saul thinks his decisions are better than God's and when God tells him to totally destroy the Amalekites, Saul applies his own interpretation and spares the king, Agag, and the best of the sheep and cattle. God's eyes saw what Saul had done, and when he tells Samuel, he is so troubled that 'he cried out to the Lord all that night.' - 1 Sam 15:12 NIV
Saul, however, is not experiencing the same remorse. Instead, '"he has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal."
When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions."
But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?"
Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest."
"Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night."
"Tell me," Saul replied.' - 1 Sam. 15:12 NIV
Samuel lets Saul have it, and Saul pleads his case saying he saved the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to God. Samuel is not impressed and replies:
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has rejected you as king." - 1 Sam 15:22-23
It is too late for Saul. Another king will be anointed by Samuel. A king who will be after God's own heart. A king who may not be perfect, but one who will always obey the voice of the Lord.
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