4 Powerful statements for Self-examination

Read 1 Samuel 15.

Warren Buffet once said, "In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you."

In Saul's case, he lacked integrity and his intelligence was questionable.  This particular episode in Saul's life began in 14:16.  God used Jonathan to put the Philistines into great confusion, fleeing and even killing each other.  When an Israeli scout saw this, he alerted Saul and his army.  The full attack and rout was on.  The men were exhausted from battle but Saul inexplicably decided to declare a fast.

Out of his own insecurities, he sought reassurance from God.  It seems that every time Saul became hard pressed he wanted to do something religious, even if it meant disobedience to the word of the Lord.

-He summoned the ark of God in battle, a symbol of God presence.

-He declared a fast for a battle-weary army.

-He pronounced a curse of death on the starving that might disobey his order.

-He built an altar to sacrifice to the LORD.

-If the people had not intervened, he probably would have executed his own son to save face.

-He built a monument to himself (15:12).

However, he was the king and as such God used Saul to turn back all of Israel's surrounding enemies.  It was a time of victory for the nation and exalted Saul's leadership.  One of these enemies that the LORD wanted destroyed was the Amalekites.  Though centuries had passed, God never forgot their mistreatment of His people during the exodus (15:2).  The order from God was clear; total annihilation.  But 15:9 describes how Saul disobeyed.

God sent Samuel to confront Saul about this sin.  The first response from Saul to Samuel was a lie (15:13).  The second sentence he spoke was another lie (15:15).  He blamed the people for his own disobedience and tried to make it sound like a good thing.  Samuel was already angry (15:11) and yelled, "Stop!"

Even when confronted about his disobedience, Saul stuck to his story, claiming he did what he was supposed to do and blaming the people.  It is only when Samuel pronounced God's judgment upon him that Saul repented.  In chapter 13, Saul lost his dynasty as Samuel told him "the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart" (13:14).  Here God rejected Saul from even from being king of Israel "and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you" (15:28).

Samuel made four powerful statements that exposed Saul's sin. (15:22-23)

1. Sacrifices to the LORD are to represent a heart and life of obedience to Him.

2. Obedience is better than going through the motions of religious ritual.

3. Disobedience is rebellion and compared to witchcraft and divination. 

4. Stubborn arrogance is compared to the sin of idolatry.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.  But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world." (1 Corinthians 11:31-32)