The Lord Rejects Saul

1 Samuel 15

            We’ve encountered herem before. That’s when something or someone is supposed to be completely devoted to the Lord, that is, absolutely destroyed. The Amalekites were ancient enemies of Israel, all the way from the days of the Exodus, and the Lord wanted to fulfill his threat that He would destroy them for their cowardly attack on Israel. Problem is: Saul kept their king Agag alive, probably so he could get a ransom for him, and the Israelite army was “unwilling to destroy completely” and kept the best for themselves. Of course, when Samuel confronts Saul about this, Saul pivots and says, “It’s for an offering to the Lord.” That’s so obviously a lie it hardly bears pointing out. They wanted the profit. Samuel doesn’t argue the point but he does declare that obedience is what the Lord wants. Caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar, Saul again pivots, “The men made me do it!” And so the Lord rejects Saul as king. His sons will not inherit his throne. (As I said yesterday, Saul doesn’t like to share his glory; now he will be especially paranoid about possible usurpers!)

            I find the last verse touching. No matter how cantankerous their relationship, Samuel still mourns for Saul. Nothing good will come of this for God’s people for a long time. But more than that, one senses that Samuel legitimately feels bad for Saul. Mercy and justice can live in the same heart. I also find it telling that the Lord regretted making Saul king. The Lord, too, doesn’t punish without feeling sorrow over the necessity.