Theory question 102
Saul and the Monarchy(a) What circumstances led to the rejection of Saul as king over Israel?
(b) Mention three lessons that can be learnt from this rejection.
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(a) At Gilgal Saul offered the burnt offering himself instead of waiting for Samuel; Samuel said his kingdom would not continue (1 Samuel 13:8-14).
Samuel told Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all they had, for opposing Israel on the way from Egypt (1 Samuel 15:1-3).
Saul warned the Kenites to leave, then defeated the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:6-7).
He spared Agag the king and the best of the sheep, oxen and all that was good, destroying only what was worthless (1 Samuel 15:8-9).
God told Samuel He repented that He had made Saul king (1 Samuel 15:10-11).
Saul claimed he had obeyed and blamed the people, saying the animals were for sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:13-21).
Samuel said, "To obey is better than sacrifice… Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king" (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
When Saul seized Samuel's robe and it tore, Samuel said the Lord had torn the kingdom from him and given it to a better neighbour (1 Samuel 15:27-28).
(b) Any three: obedience is better than sacrifice; partial obedience is disobedience; leaders must accept responsibility, not blame others; disobedience brings loss of position and blessing; God's commands must be followed exactly; pride and fear of people lead to sin.
Narrate 1 Samuel 13 and 15, then three lessons.