To Obey Is Better Than…
by Dan Richardson
In I Samuel 15:1-23, we find a classic example of disobedience in Saul, the king of Israel. After receiving the clear commandment from the Lord through Samuel the prophet (verses 1-3), Saul disobeyed God by bringing back Agag, king of the Amalekites, and the choice animals for sacrifice to God (verses 9, 15). Samuel told Saul, "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (verses 22).
Like Saul, we too need to learn that obeying God is the most important thing to consider in our lives. Saul was guilty of allowing other concerns to blind him to what was truly important. Consider that he had to learn obedience is better than…
NOT COUNTING HIS BLESSINGS (verse 1). All the good things in Saul's life, including his reign as king over Israel, were blessings from God. God is the source of all that is good and perfect (James 1:17), therefore, we should live in the spirit of thankfulness (Ephesians 5:20). If Saul had lived daily, counting his blessings and praising God for all the good in his life, it is doubtful he would have been so negligent. A lack of thankfulness is always the beginning of a dark way in life (cf. Romans 1:21ff.).
INDIFFERENCE TO WHAT GOD CALLS EVIL (verses 2-3). God told Saul what evil the Amalekites had done to the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. This should have made a profound effect on Saul's thinking toward this enemy. But it obviously didn't by the fact that he did not obey God concerning them and spared king Agag. Many throughout history have been guilty of being indifferent to evil, even going to the extreme of calling evil "good" and good "evil" (Isaiah 5:20). Only God, through His word, can define what's good and evil, and we must view such as God does. The apostle Paul says, "…abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" (Romans 12:9).
BEING FEARFUL OF MAN (verses 9, 24). In the text, Saul's problem is plainly stated: "… I feared the people and obeyed their voice" (verses 24). Rather than fearing God and obeying His voice, Saul feared the people and obeyed them! How characteristic of those with no faith and confidence in God. Warnings abound in scripture regarding this point. Of some Jewish rulers who believed in Jesus, it is said, "…they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God" (John 12:42-43). Paul said, "If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). God's ways and man's ways are not alike (Isaiah 55:8-9).
BELIEVING THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS (verses 15, 21) . Saul's philosophy appears to have been, "let us do evil that good may come" (cf. Romans 3:8). He had allowed the people to bring back chosen animals for the intended purpose of making sacrifice to God – the same God who commanded them to be slain. A valuable lesson is seen here which needs to be understood in every generation: SERVICE TO GOD IS VAIN WHEN NOT OFFERED ON HIS TERMS. For this reason, many religious efforts are futile today (Matthew 7:21-23; 15:8-9).
BEING DECEIVED (verse 20). It appears, in his answer to Samuel, that Saul thought he had obeyed God. If he did, he allowed himself to be deceived. Satan is called "the deceiver of the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). But we can prevent such deception if we trust in God. Many scriptures warn us against being deceived (cf. Galatians 6:3, 7; I Corinthians 15:33).
A FAILURE TO SEE SIN AS SIN (verse 23) . In this verse, Samuel told Saul that his sin was as bad as if he had committed witchcraft or idolatry! The lesson here is a powerful one: sin is sin. Saul did not equate his actions as sinful, especially not as that of witchcraft or idolatry. But what makes anything sinful is the fact that it is a transgression of God's law (I John 3:4). Many become guilty of categorizing sin (like a "little white lie"), but truthfully, any action that is sinful places one under God's condemnation (James 2:10). /P>
Saul's example of disobedience is given so we might learn from it. God's command to him was clear and understandable. Saul's disobedience was the result of his lack of faith, his fears and his pride. In conclusion, let it be observed that obedience to God is essential to the salvation of all (Hebrews 5:8-9). God's wrath in the Judgment awaits those who "obey not the gospel" (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).