If you are a Bible student, you know a little something about King Saul. He was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel.

During the first year of his reign as king, nothing much happened. It was in his second year as king that Saul found himself in some difficulty.

The Philistines were enemies of the people of God. The Israelites won some battles with them, but they lost some as well. Their greatest victory came when King David, the second king of Israel defeated Goliath.

In the 13^th chapter of I Samuel, we read about Saul’s preparation for a battle with this fierce enemy. He chose 3,000 men to serve in his army, giving his son, Jonathan, 1,000 of these men for his battle. The rest of the people he sent home.

The only reason this is important, is that Saul made this decision without talking it over with God. He did not ask for any guidance from either the prophet Samuel or from God.

Saul sent Jonathan against the Philistines. There was a problem with this, although we don’t know exactly what it was. All we know is that all Israel knew what Saul sent Jonathan to do, and God’s people were thought to be an abomination in the eyes of the Philistines. Simply put, they violated a truce or some agreement by attacking the Philistines.

The Israelites were so afraid when they heard how the Philistines felt about them that they hid. They hid in caves, thickets, rocks, high places, and in pits.

In I Samuel 10:8, Samuel had given Saul specific instructions that he was to go to Gilgal. He was to stay there for seven days, at which time Samuel would meet him there, offer sacrifices, and tell Saul what God wanted him to do. So, Saul had already violated the prophet’s instructions because he didn’t wait for instructions.

Saul did stay at Gilgal for six days, but Samuel had not yet arrived. On the seventh day, Saul became impatient and ordered someone to bring him the necessary things for sacrificing.

As soon as Saul had made the offerings, Samuel arrived just as he said he would. Saul saw Samuel coming; and he went out to meet him hoping to give Samuel a blessing, something he had no right to do.

Samuel rebuked Saul for his actions, but Saul immediately began to make excuses for his behavior. He told Samuel that the people had gone off to hide, that he had not arrived, and that the Philistines were closing in on them. In verse 12, Saul told Samuel, “I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.” Saul had no right to offer a sacrifice, but he “forced himself” to disobey God.

Samuel came down hard on Saul, because Saul knew better. Samuel told him in verse 14 that his kingdom would not continue, and the Lord had already chosen another man to be king.

Saul made several mistakes:

1. He did not wait for instructions from God before having Jonathan attack the Philistines.
2. He offered a sacrifice without authority to do so.
3. He had such a high opinion of himself that he thought he could give a blessing to Samuel, something else he had no right to do.
4. He showed no remorse for having disobeyed Samuel’s instructions.
5. Finally, he refused to repent but rather defended his actions.

This pattern of disobedience still exists today. There are those that think they are above obedience to God’s Word. They have such a high opinion of themselves that they think they can do as they please. Some even “force themselves” to do evil, feeling justified because it is what pleases men.

Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Peter said in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Just as King Saul received his reward for disobedience, so will we receive our reward based on our obedience or disobedience.

Sandra Oliver