God’s Final Rejection of Saul

INTRODUCTION: In this chapter, Saul illustrates the sin of willful rebellion and God’s reaction to this sin. Saul’s rebellion leads to God’s rejection of him as king of Israel.

1. GODS MESSAGE TO SAUL (1 Samuel 15:1-3)
1. The Word of the Lord by Samuel (1 Samuel 15:1)
1. The Lord sent Samuel to anoint Saul.
2. The Lord sent Samuel to give His words to Saul.
3. NOTE: Because of the first (the anointing), Saul should listen to the second (the voice of the words).
2. Gods Remembrance of Amalek (1 Samuel 15:2-3)
1. God remembers the vicious attack of Amalek (1 Samuel 15:2; Exodus 17:8, 13-16).
2. God charges Saul to destroy them (1 Samuel 15:3; cp. Joshua 6:17, 21).
1. Utterly destroy all that they have.
2. Spare them not.
3. Slay both
1. Man and woman
2. Infant and suckling
3. Ox and sheep
4. Camel and ass
2. SAULS BATTLE AGAINST AMALEK (1 Samuel 15:4-9)
1. The People Gathered to Battle (1 Samuel 15:4-6).
1. The people are numbered in Telaim (1 Samuel 15:4).
2. Saul moves to a city of Amalek and lies in wait (1 Samuel 15:5).
3. The sparing of the Kenites (1 Samuel 15:6; Judges 1:16; Exodus 18:1-12)
2. The Smiting of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:7-9)
1. From Havilah to Shur (1 Samuel 15:7)
2. Sparing King Agag (1 Samuel 15:8); NOTE: It was because of this sin that this confrontation had to be faced again in the book of Esther when Mordecai the Benjamite (Esther 2:5 just like Saul, a son of Kish) was threatened by Haman the Agagite (from Agag   Esther 3:1).
3. Sparing prime cattle (1 Samuel 15:9)
3. SAMUELS CONFRONTATION WITH SAUL (1 Samuel 15:10-25)
1. Gods Word to Samuel (1 Samuel 15:10-11)
1. Gods repentance (1 Samuel 15:11)
2. Sauls rebellion he is turned back from following me (1 Samuel 15:11)
1. Sins are classified and defined in various ways in the Bible. One of the ways God defines them concerns their level of willfulness.
2. Sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:1-2; Philippians 3:15); these sins are committed without clear knowledge on the part of the sinner. They are still sin, but God looks differently on them because they are not willful.
3. Sins of the flesh (Romans 7:18-19, 25; James 1:13-15); these sins are the result of being drawn by the lusts of the flesh. The sinner knows he is sinning and the responsibility is greater. However, the sin is not willful in the sense of rebellion because the sinner has lost control and is controlled by his sinful lust.
4. Sins of rebellion (1 Samuel 15:22-23; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5); also presumptuous sins (Exodus 21:14; Psalm 19:13). These sins are not done in ignorance; neither are they committed in a moment of overcoming lust. They are purposeful rejections of the will of God. They are acted upon in willful rebellion towards God. All sins are judged, but sins of rebellion are judged most harshly by God.
3. Samuels grief (1 Samuel 15:11)
2. Sauls First Lie the Lie of Obedience (1 Samuel 15:12-13)
1. Samuel rises to meet Saul (1 Samuel 15:12).
2. Saul claims complete obedience to Gods command (1 Samuel 15:13).
3. Sauls Second Lie the Lie of Motive (1 Samuel 15:14-15)
1. Samuel hears the noise of sheep and oxen (1 Samuel 15:14).
2. Saul says the people spared the best animals for sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:15).
4. Samuels Revelation of Truth (1 Samuel 15:16-19)
1. The sin of pride (1 Samuel 15:16-17; Proverbs 16:18; 1 John 2:16)
2. The sin of greed (1 Samuel 15:18-19; Proverbs 15:27; Philippians 3:18-19)
5. Sauls Third Lie the Lie of Blame (1 Samuel 15:20-21)
1. Sauls claim of innocence (1 Samuel 15:20)
2. Sauls accusation of the people (1 Samuel 15:21; cp. Exodus 32:21-24)
6. The Judgment of the Lord (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
1. Gods demand for obedience (1 Samuel 15:22)
2. Sauls sin of rebellion and rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:23)
7. Sauls Fourth Lie the Lie of Compulsion (1 Samuel 15:24; see Aaron in Exodus 32:21-24)
1. Saul admits to sin.
2. He claims he sinned out of fear.
8. Sauls Fifth Lie the Lie of Appearance (1 Samuel 15:25)
1. Saul wants everything to stay the same.
2. He asks Samuel to turn again with him, that he may worship the Lord.
4. SAMUELS SEPARATION FROM SAUL (1 Samuel 15:26-35)
1. Samuels Refusal to Worship with Saul (1 Samuel 15:26-31)
1. Samuels prophetic word (1 Samuel 15:26-29)
2. Samuels last concession (1 Samuel 15:30-31)
2. Samuels Completion of Sauls Job (1 Samuel 15:32-33)
1. Samuel calls for Agag to be brought unto him (1 Samuel 15:32).
2. Samuel hews Agag in pieces (1 Samuel 15:33).
3. Samuels Refusal to See Saul (1 Samuel 15:34-35)
1. Samuel and Saul go their separate ways (1 Samuel 15:34).
1. Samuel goes to Ramah.
2. Saul returns to his home in Gibeah.
2. The spiritual decline of Saul (1 Samuel 15:35)
1. Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death.
2. Samuel mourned for Saul.
3. The LORD repented that he had made Saul king.

CONCLUSION: True obedience is complete, immediate and willing. Anything less is only partial obedience and is therefore disobedience. God hates rebellion. Make sure that there is no rebellion in your heart.