1 SAMUEL 15

GOD REMOVES SAUL FROM LEADERSHIP OVER ISRAEL 

Samuel told Saul to do as God had instructed and remove the Amalekites from Israel. From God’s instructions, no adult, child, man, woman, or even cattle should survive. The Israelites were instructed to rid Israel of Amalek long ago, but they had not listened. Saul prepares for battle, but gives warning to the Kenites, who had shown kindness to Israel.

Instead of fully following Samuel’s directions, Saul captures Agog the Amalekite king instead of killing him. Similarly, Saul saves the best of the Amalekite sheep and calves for himself instead of killing them. In his selfishness and pride, Saul builds a monument for himself. God is grieved by Saul’s kingship and desires better leadership for Israel.

Saul tells Samuel that he has completed God’s commands, but Samuel knows he is not telling the full truth. Samuel hears the sheep that Saul kept for himself. Samuel confronts Saul, but Saul makes excuses, saying the animals were for sacrifices and blames others for taking them. Samuel tells Saul that obedience is more valuable to God than anything else they could offer.

Because Saul rejects God’s wisdom, God rejects Saul as king of Israel. As Samuel turns away, Saul reaches to grab his robe and tears it. Samuel tells him that God has torn the kingdom of Israel from Saul and will give it over to a better, more faithful leader. Saul is devastated by this brutal reality.

Saul admits his sin and bows before God, showing remorse for what he has done. Meanwhile, Samuel finishes the work they set out to do and kills Agog the Amalekite king. Saul and Samuel never see each other again, but Samuel is grieved over Saul’s failure as king.