Profiles in Faith: The Tale of Two Kings. 1 Samuel 15

Transcription

1 Profiles in Faith: The Tale of Two Kings 1 Samuel 15

2 1 Samuel 9:21 But I am only from Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me? Who am I? (NLT)

3 Saul s Assignment Destroy Everything

4 1 Samuel 15:1-3 And Samuel said to Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts, I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey. (ESV)

5 Deuteronomy 13:16-17 You shall gather all its spoil into the midst of its open square and burn the city and all its spoil with fire, as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God None of the devoted things shall stick to your hand, that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger. (ESV)

6 Saul s Behavior Saul spared all that was good (9)

7 1 Samuel 15:7-10 And Saul defeated the Amalekites he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction. (ESV)

8 Saul s Mistakes He disobeyed But Saul spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction. (15:9, ESV)

9 He disobeyed Saul s Mistakes He lied And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, Blessed be you to the LORD. I have performed the commandment of the LORD. (15:13, ESV)

10 1 Samuel 15:14 And Samuel said, What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear? (ESV)

11 He disobeyed He lied Saul s Mistakes He blamed his soldiers Saul said, They (the soldiers) have brought them from the Amalekites (15:15, ESV)

12 He disobeyed He lied He blamed his soldiers Saul s Mistakes He rationalized his actions For the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the LORD your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction. (15:15, ESV)

13 He disobeyed He lied He blamed his soldiers Saul s Mistakes He rationalized his actions He would not recant I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. (15:20, ESV)

14 He disobeyed He lied He blamed his soldiers Saul s Mistakes He rationalized his actions He would not recant He gave a half-hearted confession I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. (15:24, ESV)

15 Notice the Pronouns I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the LORD your God. (15:30, ESV)

16 Saul s Punishment The LORD has rejected you (26)

17 1 Samuel 15:26 You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel. (ESV)

18 The Story of King David 2 Samuel 11 12

19 2 Samuel 12:13 I have sinned against the LORD. (ESV)

20 Psalm 51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight... Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (ESV) (NIV)

21 Differences Saul was sorry for getting caught, David was repentant

22 Differences Saul was sorry for getting caught, David was repentant Saul minimized his disobedience, David recognized the seriousness of his sin

23 Differences Saul was sorry for getting caught, David was repentant Saul minimized his disobedience, David recognized the seriousness of his sin Saul tried to mask his disobedience by religious activity, David sought righteousness

24 Differences Saul was sorry for getting caught, David was repentant Saul minimized his disobedience, David recognized the seriousness of his sin Saul tried to mask his disobedience by religious activity, David sought righteousness Saul sought the praise of men, David sought the praise of God

25 1 Samuel 15:22 Has 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 listen than the fat of rams. (ESV)

26 Conclusion Obedience is an all or nothing proposition. God wants you to serve him wholeheartedly, and when you fall short he wants you to be open and honest. God wants your heart-felt devotion.

27 Tale of Two Kings Who is on the throne, you or God?