MARCH 19 1 SAMUEL 13-15

1 Samuel 13-15

In the Song of Songs 2:13, Solomon says, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards.” It isn't always the big sins, the big failures, or the big rebellions that start a leader on a downward spiral; it’s the little indiscretions, the little lies, and the half truths. What spelled disaster for Saul? Where did he go wrong? These are the chapters of 1 Samuel, where we begin to find out. But when I tell you, (or better, when you read it for yourselves!) you’ll think, “That doesn't seem so bad.” And you’d be right. But, it’s the “little foxes” that spoil the grapes.

In these chapters, Saul continues to wreak havoc among Israel’s enemies. So, what went wrong? What were Saul’s “little foxes?”
Impatience, impertinence and fear. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices (10:8), but Saul had a battle to fight, and his soldiers were growing restless. No sooner had Saul offered the sacrifices himself, Samuel showed up. “Your kingdom will not endure,” Samuel says, “for God has sought out a man after his own heart.” (13:13-14).

Rash and unbending. Saul, in the heat of battle, makes a rash vow, “Cursed be the man who eats food until…I am avenged on my enemies.” (14:24). Jonathan, his heroic son, didn’t hear his father’s oath and ate some honey. When this comes to light, Saul is determined to kill him. Only the people’s intercessions save Jonathan’s life.

Incomplete obedience and greed.  God, through Samuel, commanded Saul to attack the Amalekites and “devote them to destruction” for their wickedness. But after Saul’s glorious victory, he spared the king and kept the best of their livestock. When Samuel shows up, he asked, “What is this bleating of sheep I hear?” (15:14) Saul attempted to cover his disobedience with obedience, “I kept them to sacrifice to God.” (15:15) Samuel’s famous answer is brutal and unbending: “To obey is better than sacrifice! Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you from being king.” (15:22-23)

Little things, little indiscretions, little sins, little foxes…and a spoiled king!

Tomorrow, we look for a replacement!
Pastor Gary