Beth Nagel
3.19.2020
1 Samuel 13-15
Summary:
These three chapters are jam packed with action and mostly focus on Saul’s first years as Israel’s king. Saul proves that he is unworthy of being king through his interactions with Samuel that highlight his disobedient heart. First he makes a sacrifice that he shouldn’t have made. He follows that up with not making a sacrifice that he should have made. In between, we meet Jonathan and it is hard not to be impressed with his heroism at Michmash. He also is willing to disobey his dad (the king) in order to keep up the morale of the people.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 15: 22-23
“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.”
How does what you read change your vision of God?
Sometimes I think God wants these big sacrifices from me, and I get discouraged because it just seems like too much. But what God wants more than anything at all is pretty simple. God wants me to obey. God wants me to listen. Sacrifices are important, but God doesn’t want it if it comes from a disobedient heart.
How does what you read change our vision of yourself or others?
One thing I noticed is that both of the mistakes that Saul makes center around sacrifices. First he makes a sacrifice that he shouldn’t and then he fails to make the right sacrifice. This makes me want to examine the things that I’m sacrificing. Is it the right sacrifice?
How will you God with God because of this reading?
I will go with God to examine my sacrifices to see if they are aligned with God’s word and be sure not to compromise.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters?
I see Jesus in this chapter by looking at how Saul’s failures to listen and obey stand in stark contrast to how Jesus perfectly listens to and obeys God.
2020 Bible Vision 
My favorite part of this passage is the attitude of Jonathan’s armor bearer – I want to have that attitude for my brothers and sisters when they want to do something radical for God!
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I find it interesting that Saul’s disobedience was due to fear, the Israelites and his own. So fitting in this time we are going thru making sure we are obeying God in spite of the fear swirling around us. Thanks for sharing
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I was really convicted by the passage that says that presumption is like the evil of idolatry. When we think that we know better than God, and go our own way instead of God’s way, we make idols of ourselves. I want to remember this when I am tempted to think that I know better than God what is best for me.
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I think it’s crazy how concerned Saul was about how his fellow Israelites saw him. He was so caught up in appearances that he was willing to disobey God!
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