1. Lessons Learned from King Saul’s mistakes
1 Samuel 15:1-23

2. Introduction God Sent Saul To Settle a Debt With The Amalekites
Vs. 2; Exodus 17:8-16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19
Saul Did Not Completely Perform The Job
He was to destroy man and beast - vs. 3
He spared the wicked King Agag - vs. 33
He spared the best of the flocks - vs. 9
He Returns to Samuel Making Boastful Claims
He claimed to have obeyed God’s instructions - vs. 13
But, was asked by Samuel about the bleating of the sheep and lowing of the oxen - vs. 14
He Made Three Serious Mistakes That Are Made Today
Vs Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. 3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
Ex. 17: READ
Duet. 25: Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; 18 How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. 19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
Vs. 3 - Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
Vs And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
Vs. 9 - But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Vs And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.
Vs And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
Lessons Learned From King Saul's Mistakes

3. He Disobeyed God’s Simple Command - vs. 3
He Was Arrogant and Rebelled Against Gods Instructions
Let his power cloud his judgement - vss. 17, 23
He Consider Partial Obedience, Full Obedience
Complied with what he agreed with - vs. 9
Partial Obedience is No Obedience at All
He was not Like Noah - Genesis 6:22; 7:5
Faith and works required - James 2:23-26; Mark 16:15-16
This Demonstrates Self-will, Not Obedient Submission
Matthew 7:21-23
King Saul’s Mistakes
Vs. 3 - Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.
Vs And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
Vs For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Vs. 9 - But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Gen. 6:22 - Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Gen. 7:5 - And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.
Jas. 2: And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Mk. 16: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Matt. 7: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Lessons Learned From King Saul's Mistakes

4. He made excuse for not obeying God - vss. 15, 21
He Tried To Justify His Disobedience
He blamed the people - vs. 15 & 21
Like Adam & Eve - Genesis 3:9-13
God rebuked all three - Genesis 3:14-19
We Often Try To Justify Ourselves by Criticizing Another
Proud Pharisee - Luke 18:9-14
Not wise to make such comparisons - 2 Corinthians 10:12
Must understand the teaching of Ezekiel - Ezekiel 18:1-4, 20
Saul Took Credit For Only The Good - vss. 15, 20, 21
He did not acknowledge that the good and evil actions were a joint effort
“But Saul and the people…” - vs. 9
Adam
Eve
Serpent
King Saul’s Mistakes
Vs And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
Vs But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
Gen. 3: READ
Lk. 18:9-14 READ
2 Cor. 10:12 - For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. -NKJV.
Ezek. 18:1-4, 20 - The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying, 2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? 3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. It was a parable to pass the blame on those no longer present. What is wrong with the parable? It ignores the children continuing the sins of the parents.
Vs. 15 -And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
Vss And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
Vs. 9 - But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Lessons Learned From King Saul's Mistakes

5. He denied he disobeyed God - vss. 13, 20
He Could Not Fool God By His Excuses & Claims
God knew Saul’s disobedient heart - vs. 11
The fruit of his disobedience told Him - vs. 14
Sin will not go away by denying it - 1 John 1:8-10
Saul Could Not Erase His Sin With Token Obedience
This Did Not Work For Saul & It Will Not Work Today!
Saul’s sacrifice was polluted - vs. 22
We Must Humbly Obey God
Christ is the Author of salvation to the obedient - Hebrews 5:8, 9
He will lift up those who humbly submit to Him - James 4:6-10
King Saul’s Mistakes
Vs And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.
Vs And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
Vs. 11- It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
Vs And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
1 Jn. 1: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Vs 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. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Heb. 5:8-9 - Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Jas. 4: But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Lessons Learned From King Saul's Mistakes

6. King Saul’s Mistakes review He Disobeyed God’s Simple Command
He made excuse for not obeying God
King Saul’s Mistakes
He denied he disobeyed God
Lessons Learned From King Saul's Mistakes

7. King Saul’s Mistakes Conclusion
Saul Finally Confessed His Sinfulness - vs. 24
Lesson Learned: If Guilty of Sin…
Don’t deny it!
Don’t excuse it!
Don’t blame others!
Do like Saul finally did - confess it!
Repent & Pray like Simon - Acts 8:18-24
Like David, Saul Had To Face The Consequences!
Saul - God tore the kingdom from Saul - 1 Samuel 15:27-35
Samuel anointed David King - 1 Samuel 16:1-13
David - The sword never left his house - 2 Samuel 12:8-14
King Saul’s Mistakes
Vs And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
Acts 8: READ
1 Sam. 15: READ
2 Sam. 12: READ
Rom. 1: For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet (due).
Barnes - “Since the time of the Romans and the Greeks, as if there had not been sufficient restraints before, he has originated a new disease, which is one of the most loathsome and distressing which has ever afflicted man, and which has swept off millions of victims. But the effect on the body was not all. It tended to debase the mind; to sink man below the level of the brute; to destroy the sensibility; and to "sear the conscience as with a hot iron." The last remnant of reason and conscience, it would seem, must be extinguished in those who would indulge in this unnatural and degrading vice.”
One reaps what is sown - Gal. 6:7-8 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Lessons Learned From King Saul's Mistakes

8. “What Must I Do…?” Acts 2:38 An alien sinner must…
Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17
Believe - Romans 10:10
Repent – Acts 17:30
Confess Christ - Acts 8:37
Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38
An erring Child of God must…
Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22
Live “faithful unto death”
Revelation 2:10
Rom. 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom. 10:10 - For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Acts. 17: And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Acts - 8:37 - And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts. 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:22 - Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Rev. 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.