Key scripture – “But Samuel replied: ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.’” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

Have you ever been rejected by someone? It hurts, doesn’t it? Have you ever thought about being rejected by God? Just the thought of that is unimaginably excruciating. Even the tiniest thought of that idea should make your eyes sting and cause a tight lump to settle deep inside your throat.

Author, Leah DiPascal tells us that that very thing happened to Saul. In 1Samuel 15 we find out that God rejects Saul as king. How is it possible that a good God would reject the very person He appointed as the first king over Israel? What went wrong for this to happen?

If you are in a hurry, you may skim over this chapter and walk away feeling like maybe God is the one being a little harsh in this situation. After all, Saul seemed to have followed God’s instructions … at least most of them.

But if you will take time to slow down and study the text, you will discover the true motives behind Saul’s actions giving clear reason to why God took this sovereign course of action.

You see, God told Saul to attack the Amalekites because of what they did to the Israelites in the wilderness. “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.’” (1 Samuel 15:2-3). He gave Saul clear instructions (through Samuel), because this holy war would be God’s fulfillment of an oath He had made to the children of Israel. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:14-16),

Saul started out strong doing what God instructed. But somewhere along the way his pride took a detour towards self-serving decisions, instead of God-pleasing obedience. He destroyed the Amalekite people, but decided to bring back King Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle as trophies to display in Carmel, where he’d set up a monument in his own honor. “And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.” (1 Samuel 15:12). Did you catch that? A monument in his own honor.

Saul’s partial obedience — made to look acceptable — was in fact disobedience. And the monument he built for himself was a clear indication of his underlying arrogance, pride, and heart rebellion against God. Saul wanted the fame. He was longing for a thousand that-a-boy pats on the back. He hungered to be highlighted as the person who brought this great victory to the Israelites. Saul wanted all the credit, instead of wanting to give all glory to God.

How did God respond to Saul’s actions? “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions” (1 Samuel 15:11a).

When Samuel confronted Saul about what happened, Saul’s response gives us clues to his internal motives:

1. He put the blame on his soldiers. “Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, 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.” But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” (1Samuel 15:15, 21)

2. He justified his actions with his own version of God’s instructions. “And Saul said to Samuel, “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.” (1Samuel 15:20).

3. He was more concerned about what others would think about him than following God wholeheartedly, “because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.” (1 Samuel 15:24b).

Saul desperately begged Samuel to forgive him and go back with him to Carmel, because he wanted to be honored before the elders of Israel. It’s interesting despite all that happened, Saul was still looking for recognition and longed to be admired by others. He was devoted to himself and God knew it.

At one point Saul became so distressed he tore Samuel’s robe, which ironically was a visual representation of the prophecy spoken over him: “Samuel said to him [Saul], ‘The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors, to one better than you’” (1Samuel 15:28). Saul lost his position in leadership because he turned his back on God, rejecting the One who gave him authority in the first place to rule as king. Saul swapped God’s instructions for his own desires to experience fame and prestige. He listened to the subjective voices of others, instead of fully obeying directions from God.

Saul thought his performance would make up for his lack of loyalty. But God wasn’t interested in more offerings and sacrifices. “And Samuel said, “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. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23). God wanted a king who had a sincere heart to follow Him. He wanted a person who would lead well, because they genuinely loved God, and pursued a personal relationship with Him every step of the way.

Do you look at Saul’s poor choices and reflect back on your own life only to realize there have been times in your past when you too: have chosen poorly; blamed others; justified your actions; rationalized the seriousness of your sins; and spent way too much time worrying about what other people think. I can say yes to the above, and because of that I’ve had to learn some hard lessons, but because of God’s grace it’s all brought me closer to the heart of God.

More than anything in this world we must seek God first and make our relationship with Him the number one priority. When we do this, our desires will line up with His desires. Our thoughts will line up with His thoughts. Our decisions and actions will begin to flow from a heart that is genuinely devoted to Him so that we can be trusted with what He’s entrusted to us.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, my heart beats only for You and my soul longs to know You more. Thank You for the saving grace that covers my sins. Thank You for loving me first, before I was even interested in loving You. Help me to live in a humble posture of full obedience that reflects an inward and outward expression of my love and devotion to You. I know that I can’t say “I love You” and then not obey You and keep Your commandments. Give me the wisdom and strength to walk according to Your commandments. Help me to always choose to do the right thing because You have told us, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17). I want to wake up every morning and pursue You with a sincere heart, and fall asleep at the end of the day — regardless of how it went — thanking You for the loving relationship I get to experience with You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.