The Rebuke 💭


Saul was 30 years old when he became king and he reigned over Israel for 42 years. All Israel joined Saul to attack the Philistines at Gilgal. The Philistines had many chariots and soldiers as numerous as the sand of the sea shore.

Israel became very afraid and hid in caves, thicket and among rocks and in pits and cisterns. Some Israrlites crossed the Jordan. Saul’s troops were quaking with fear.

Saul waited for Samuel for 7 days. As he did not come Saul offered the burnt offerings. Just as he finished the offerings, Samuel arrived and said that he had acted foolishly and said that his kingdom will never endure. He said that the Lord had sought out a man out of His own heart and appointed him as leader of His people.

💬 The Attack 💬
Jonathan without telling his father went with his armour bearer to the Philistine outpost on the other side. The Philistines fell before Jonathan and a few men were killed. God sent a great panic among the Philistines and the Israelites were able to defeat them. All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines.

🗯️ The Rejection 🗯️
Next Samuel wanted Saul to attack the Amalakites. Saul totally destroyed the people except Agag king of the Amalakites and also the best of the cattle, calves and lambs. But God was grieved that he did not carry out God’s instructions that no man or animals of the Amalakites should be spared. Saul set up a monument in his own honour and had gone to Gilgal.

🐑 The Confrontation 🐑
Samuel met Saul and asked him what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of Cattle I hear. Saul said that they were not killed so that they can be offered as a sacrifice to God at Gilgal. Samuel said, TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE AND TO GIVE HEED IS BETTER THAN THE FAT OF RAMS.

Samuel said because Saul had rejected the word of God, God had rejected him as king. Samuel did not go to Saul again till his death. The Lord was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Mrs Caroline Chellappa 📝
Chennai