Let me just encourage you with this statement today: In a world filled with Sauls, be a Samuel. I’ll say it again. BE. A. SAMUEL. Samuel heard God and obeyed. Saul did what was right in his own eyes and then refused to take responsibility when he was called on it. Don’t be that guy. Saul was chosen for his stature but Samuel was chosen for his spirit.
When Saul was chosen and anointed king in 1 Samuel 9 the Word says nothing about his righteousness or goodness. In fact, all that is said about Saul is that he was good-looking and tall — not exactly a glowing resumé. You look good. Who cares if you’re completely full of yourself and void of any virtue? You look good and that’s what will keep our war hungry neighbors in check. Saul became king in the midst of Israel’s rejection of God. Not exactly a desirable starting point. Two years into his reign he makes a critical error. Samuel was delayed and instead of waiting for him, he impatiently takes upon himself a role that was not for him. Promptly and effectively ending his family’s claim to the throne. He puts the blame squarely on Samuel’s shoulders, though. After all, it wasn’t his fault, Samuel was late.
Later in his reign in 1 Samuel 15, Saul is instructed to lay waste to Amalek. Let nothing live. And what does he do? He saves Agag the king alive and the best of the sheep and other animals. Saul was so deceived that when Samuel came in to the camp he was proud that he had done everything that was asked of him. When Samuel asks him about the sheep he hears bleating in the distance, Saul tells him they were kept alive to offer as sacrifices to God. Sacrifices to God? That sounds good. Surely God would be pleased with more sacrifices. Yeah, that’s a negative. God’s instructions were to spare nothing. Disobedience for a seemingly good reason is still disobedience. When Samuel calls him on it and calls what he did evil in the sight of the Lord, Saul switches tactics. It was the people. The people took the spoils. It is then that Samuel utters a phrase that should be seared onto the heart of every believer. “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
Earlier in 1 Samuel, chapter 3 opens with a telling statement. “The Word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” Here’s a question for you to chew on. Had God quit speaking or had man just quit listening? (An interesting topic for another time…) During that deafening silence, Samuel began to hear from the Lord. After receiving instruction from Eli, Samuel tuned His ear to His God. 1 Samuel 3:19 says, “And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and he did let none of his words fall to the ground.” You can read that verse 2 ways, that Samuel was SO obedient to God that he did everything that God asked of him without letting God’s words fall to the ground, or Samuel was SO obedient that God chose to honor him and let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. Let’s call it a little bit of both. Kind of a cause and effect thing. Samuel did, so God did. Samuel was obedient — God honored him.
Saul’s lineage was removed from the throne of Israel, both beginning and ending with his reign. Samuel was the last judge of Israel, faithfully doing whatsoever God demanded. So I tell you, in a world where most do what is right in their own eyes, where if it feels good do it, where if it seems like a good idea it must be — be obedient to the Word of the Lord. Period. In a world filled with Sauls, be a Samuel!
Things Pondered 