Page 82 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

Samuel came to the camp hearing the bleating of sheep and finding Amalekite king, Agag, alive. When
confronted about his disobedience, Saul said, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord!”
(15:13). In his mind, he claimed to obey God, but in actuality, he disobeyed God. He fooled himself and
justified his sin. His “obedience” was partial obedience. It’s like mixing a truthful statement with a little
lie. The whole statement becomes a lie.

Isn’t that terrible? Shame on Saul for not obeying? But we do the same thing today. We sin and
disobey yet justify it in our own minds…just like Saul. You want an illustration? Check this verse out:

Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of
praise, think about these things.

So, let me ask you a couple of questions. How many movies have you watched where you saw someone
use God’s name in vain, or a couple climbed into bed together, or a person murdered another person?
Are those things honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent? You say, “Come on, most
movies have some of that in them. You can’t hide you head under the ground like an ostrich.” You are
justifying your disobedience, just like Saul did. Kind of convicting, uh?

David: Rise (16-20). David’s rise from shepherd to king-elect is recounted in four steps:
(1) Loved by God: assigned by God to go to Bethlehem, Samuel learns about vanity of appearance,
anoints David as king- divinely elected, empowered (16)
(2) Loved by Saul: God’s Spirit leaves Saul, harmful spirit troubles; David plays, spirit leaves Saul loves
David! (16)
(3) Loved by Nation: Philistines threaten Israel-center, Goliath challenges, Israel cowers but are
confident in YHWH, David conquers! (17-18)
(4) Loved by Saul’s Kids David wins the love of Saul’s kids, Jonathan covenant, and Michal marriage so
that when Saul plots to kill David, his own family protects and prefers David (18-20).

Saul: Demise (21-31) Out of fear, Saul begins to recklessly pursue David, accusing his servants of
conspiracy, assassinating family of Ahimelech, God’s anointed priests (21-22). Tracking David in the
wilderness, Saul enters cave unknowingly facilities, his men urge him to kill but David spares Saul (23-
24). Saul repents but soon returns. Later, David sneaks in Saul’s camp, refusing to kill but rebukes Saul-
fool (26). A seeming interruption, David’s meeting with Nabal - a fool reflects behavior and judgment of
Saul (25). Due to silence Saul consults a medium conjures Samuel’s spirit. Samuel rebukes Saul and
foretells sure death. In the battle, Saul is wounded, then commits suicide (28-31).

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