1st.: Saul’s Valid Point
To refresh our memories of Saul's falling out with God.
God had appointed Saul, son of Kish, to be king over Israel.
God told Saul to kill all the Amalekites.
Saul did not obey.
Samuel rebuked Saul for disobedience.
Samuel turned to leave.
Saul tore Samuel's clothing.
Samuel reemphasize that God was taking the kingdom away from Saul.
(1st Samuel chapter 15)
Saul then tried another approach. He said,
“I have sinned. Yet honor me, now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people,
and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.” (1st Sam. 15:30).
Saul included the elders, and all of Israel, in his next request.
Rephrasing what Saul said, ‘If you are not going to remove me from being king at this exact moment in time,
then don’t stay to honor me personally. But stay, so that the people may see the example, at least outwardly, that the king worships the Lord.’
Hearing this point, “Samuel turned again after Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.” (1st Sam. 15:31).
Even though Saul was in the proverbial dog-house with the Lord, the Lord still listens to valid points.
Likewise, God will listen to us, even if we are in trouble with Him - if we have a genuinely valid point to make.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Pr. 25:11)