SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 24-02-2019

RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY From our last study, entitled “Jonathan triumphs over the Philistines”, we learnt that Jonathan’s faith gave Israel victory despite their extremities. God does not require carnal weapons to win battles. We must come out of the company of fear and doubt and fully depend on God We should avoid rash decisions. To win life and ministry battle, we need to partner with God and other people. Leaders need workers that can support them in the ministry. Two are better than one because we cannot fight the battles of life alone.

TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 732: GOD REJECTS SAUL MEMORY VERSE: …… “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord, Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). TEXT: 1 Samuel 15:1-35

INTRODUCTION Saul, the first king of Israel, was a valiant soldier. His exploits as military leader began from the time he was anointed king (I Samuel 14:47-48). His experience became more important to him than divine instruction. The desire to please people took him away from the necessity of pleasing God. We should remain humble, giving attention to details of divine instruction. QUESTION 1: What should be the attitude of those called by God into leadership positions or particular assignments? – 1 Samuel 15:2,3; 1 Peter 5:5,6

GOD’S COMMAND TO SAUL TO DESTROY AMALEK 1 Samuel 15:1-9 God gave king Saul a definite command to destroy Amalek (1 Sam. 15:3). It was God’s retributive justice. The case of Amalek teaches us that God does not take wickedness and evil lightly. If He proclaims judgement, it will come to pass except the evildoer repents. On the other hand, when God promises to bless us, He will not forget. QUESTION 2: What can we learn from the fact that God does not forget His word? – Hebrews 6:13-15; Luke 13:2,3 QUESTION 3: Mention some things that tend to compete with obedience to God’s written word in a believers life? – Jeremiah 23:16,17; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Kings 13:17-19

GOD’S JUDGEMENT AND REJECTION OF DISOBEDIENT SAUL 1 Samuel 15:10-29 In spite of the clarity of God’s instruction, Saul actually disobeyed God. He spared the king of Amalek for no apparent reason. He quickly resorted to blame-shifting and excuse-making. Believers should take care not to violate the revealed will of God in marriage; we should shun covetousness and association with the world. QUESTION 4: What steps can the believer take to avoid falling into Saul’s error? – Philippians 2:3,5; Luke 10:38,39; Proverbs 21:3

SAUL’S FALSE REPENTANCE AND FAITH 1 Samuel 15:30-35 The response of Saul to his disobedience fell short of God’s expectation (1 Samuel 15:30). It showed that he was not sincerely repentant though he acknowledged his sin. He was bargaining for honour though he was caught red-handed in sin. When the prodigal son realised his error, he emptied himself of all self-glory before the father. Saul did not do so. To get God’s mercy, we must be sincere. QUESTION 5: How genuine was Saul’s repentance? – 1 Samuel 15:30,31; John 5:44

CONCLUSION The command to destroy Amalek was the Lord’s retributive justice. This case tells us that God does not forget sin with time except the sinner repents. Saul was humble when he was anointed. But with the passage of time, his experience became more important to him than divine instruction. In spite of the clarity of God’s instructions, Saul disobeyed God. Believers should be totally focused on obedience to divine instruction in life and ministry.