Tuesday 2021.02.09
Reading from 1 Samuel Chapter 15
Selfwill versus hearkening to the voice of the LORD.
Doing what we like in defiance of God's commands is akin to practising divination and idolatry. In the battle against the Amalekites, conquering the land Havilah to Shur, King Saul did not destroy everything as commanded by the Lord, but instead took King Agag alive as prisoner, along with the best of the livestock.
When confronted by the prophet Samuel about his disobedience, Saul gave the excuse in 1 Samuel 15:15 that:
- it was the people who took the spoils
- they wanted the livestock to sacrifice to the LORD.
To which Samuel replied with the words in verses 22 and 23:
1 Samuel 15:22 - 23 JND
22 And Samuel said, Has Jehovah delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, As in hearkening to the voice of Jehovah? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, Attention than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And selfwill is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, He hath also rejected thee from being king.
