BaptistWay Bible Series for April 9: Seek God’s will, not his permission or forgiveness

Posted: 3/30/06

BaptistWay Bible Series for April 9

Seek God’s will, not his permission or forgiveness

• 1 Samuel 15:10-31

By Joseph Matos

Dallas Baptist University, Dallas

Perhaps you have heard the saying, “It’s better/easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.” A quick search of the phrase on the Internet reveals that wrestling with this issue is both current and pervasive in society. In business, advice abounds on when to act first and to ask forgiveness (if necessary) later.

This applies to family relations, as well. Does a spouse ask permission to make an expensive purchase, suspecting the other spouse might oppose it if asked up front? Or, does he/she make the purchase, and trust the spouse will forgive later?

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Ironically, there is great disagreement on this issue. What you discover is people often rationalize it is better (or at least less painful) to seek forgiveness than to ask permission. But it is a risky proposition.

In some way, but to a higher degree and with much more dire consequences, King Saul sought to rationalize his disobedience.

1 Samuel 13-14 gives us a glimpse of Saul’s propensity to act first and seek to rectify the situation later. On one occasion, he went out to battle the Philistines. Yet, it was only after the impending battle led his men to fear and flee that Saul sought the Lord’s favor via sacrifices (13:7-12).

Even this he did improperly, for he did not wait on Samuel. Rather than consoling Saul, however, Samuel rebuked him (“You acted foolishly,” v. 13), stated his sin (“You have not kept the command of the Lord,” v. 13), and announced his punishment (“your kingdom will not endure,” v. 14).

Another time, Saul inquired of the Lord before going into battle. But the Lord did not answer. Saul believed God’s silence was due to someone breaking the vow he previously had imposed on the people not to eat anything until victory was secured (14:24).

When it was discovered that Jonathan, his own son had eaten some honey—even though Jonathan was not aware of the vow at the time—Saul was determined to kill him. Had not the fighting men interceded on his behalf, Jonathan would certainly have died (vv. 25-45).

This kind of behavior comes to a head in chapter 15. When Israel first came out of Egypt, the Amalekites’ attacked them. For this reason, God had planned to use Israel at this time to complete his punishment of the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19).

So Samuel delivered God’s instructions to Saul in preparation for battle. Samuel made very clear God’s command to Saul: Completely destroy them; spare no one and nothing (15:3). However, in defeating the Amalekites, Saul spared King Agag and the choicest of the animals.

The Lord expressed to Samuel his grief over selecting Saul as king. The reason for his rejection was clear: “He has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions” (v. 11). Samuel himself was troubled and cried out to the Lord all night.

The next morning, Samuel set out to meet Saul. In the meantime, Saul erected a monument in Carmel in his own honor. When Samuel arrived, Saul greeted him with the “good news” of his victory over the Amalekites.

But Samuel knew Saul had disobeyed. He could hear animal noises in the background (v. 14). Even though Saul’s sin had been exposed, he responded with a series of excuses. First, he denied any wrongdoing. The animals were spared, he said, to be sacrificed to the Lord.

Samuel would have none of this rationalizing. He said pointedly, “Stop!” (v. 16). Samuel reminded Saul his mission was to destroy the Amalekites completely. Still, Saul maintained his innocence, insisted he had spared only the king and, again, the animals were meant for sacrifice.

In verses 22-23, Samuel brought home the severity of Saul’s actions. Though Saul may have intended sacrifice, God would rather Saul had obeyed him in the first place. Obedience is preferred to sacrifice.

Additionally, Saul’s rebellion was likened to divination and idolatry. In God’s economy, nothing could be worse. Saul had rejected God’s commands and, as a result, God rejected Saul as king. Upon hearing this, Saul admitted his sin, but not without offering another excuse for his actions.

This time, he claimed he caved in to his fear of the Israelite people. In an attempt to make all things well, he pleaded for forgiveness (apparently Samuel’s, not the Lord’s) and requested Samuel’s presence with him to worship the Lord (v. 25).

But Samuel repeated Saul’s rejection of the word of the Lord and God’s rejection of him as king. When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed his robe, tearing it. Samuel told Saul this illustrated the kingdom being torn from him and given to another, someone better (v. 28).

Saul confessed his sin again, this time without qualification. What Saul said next, however, revealed his heart. First, he requested Samuel’s presence as a show of support before the people. He seemed concerned about his public image. Second, he asked Samuel again to accompany him to worship. But Saul’s language revealed his relationship with God, for he referred to God as “your Lord” (v. 31), not “the Lord” or “my Lord.” Samuel obliged.

As epilogue, we’re told Samuel killed Agag, completing Saul’s mission. Sadly, too, Saul never saw Samuel again (though Samuel mourned for him). We read again that God was grieved he made Saul king (vv. 32-35).

Discussion questions

• Though he was rejected as king, was there still hope for Saul personally?

• What ways do we take advantage of God's forgiving nature?

• What is the cost of disobedience?