28th.: Saul’s Second Chance
King Saul had blown it.
He performed a sacrifice.
But, only for the Israelite priests were allowed to burn a sacrifice.
God gave Saul a second chance. (1st Sam. 14:47-52).
Saul now had to punish the Amalekites for mistreating the Israelites (see 1st Sam. 15:2).
God told Saul to annihilate the Amalekites (1st. Sam. 15:1-3)
(genocide? This would take several pages to address. For the purposes of this article, it is what it is.)
Saul did his job - maybe 95% of the way. Nevertheless, Saul failed.
He had spared the best of the animals, and the king of the Amalekites, Agag.
The Lord then told Samuel,
“He [Saul] is turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments.” (1st Sam. 15:11b).
God wants total dedication.
Yet Saul glossed over what he didn't do,
“Blessed by thou of the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” (1st Sam. 15:13).
Samuel confronted Saul.
Saul quipped, “… the people have spared the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord.” (1st Sam. 15:15).
Was Saul being cagey, or only half listening.
Lev. 9:2-3 tells the Israelites to use the best of the sheep & oxen for sacrifices (Lev. 9:2-3).
But in 1st Sam. 15:3, Samuel explicitly told Saul to wipe out the Amalekites, and everything they had.
Saul had only half listened to Samuel. If Saul had been confused by the conflicting commands, he could have
asked for a clarification, before completing his assignment.
Likewise, do we only half-listen to the Lord, when we pray?
Also, Likewise, we can ask God to clarify some command that he has given us.
“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness, but a faithful man who can find.” (Pro. 20:6)