by Ben Opp
This passage is rife with subtle clues about Saul's character. It culminates in his removal as king over Israel, the result of much disobedience and many poor decisions over the past several chapters.
God's command to Saul was simple - totally destroy the Amalekites, wiping any memory of their civilization off the face of the earth. The Amalekites were a people group who had launched a cowardly attack on Israel shortly after they left Egypt, killing the weak and feeble who were straggling behind the main body of the people. God, in his particular concern for the welfare of the powerless, was tremendously angered by this. The existence of this nation was an affront to the justice of God, and their total destruction would have sent a powerful message both to Israel and the surrounding nations regarding the high value God places on the defense of the powerless.
But, Saul did not obey. Instead of totally destroying the Amalekites, his army took the choicest animals and plunder for themselves. Saul seems to have "caved in" to the people's wishes out of fear. There are other telltale signs of the condition of Saul's heart: after the battle, he goes off and builds a monument to himself (vs. 12), and speaks to Samuel of "the LORD your God," (vs. 15 and 21) separating himself from the God who made him king.
Why does God care so much about this seemingly small departure from his command? After all, Saul killed everything else, and intended to sacrifice the plundered animals to the Lord. So what's the big deal? When Saul chose to not totally destroy the Amalekites, he fell short of fully submitting to God's command and failed to uphold God's character of justice. In fact, he totally missed the point of God's command. This was not just an isolated mission to destroy an enemy nation - it was an expression of God's character. Saul's actions misrepresented and dishonored God's justice.
I think it makes sense to look at many of Saul's decisions in the light of his misunderstanding of the big picture. He doesn't understand that God cares far more about obedience than about a bunch of sacrificed animals. His goal is not to honor and obey God, but to appease him. During his conversation with Samuel, he seems to care more about keeping his job than about the welfare of the nation. Most importantly, he fails to understand that Israel is not just a nomadic people group, but stands at the center of God's plan to redeem the entire world from the brokenness caused by sin.
How do you view your relationship with God - are you trying to obey him, or appease him? Is it just about getting what you want? Do you, like Saul, only obey God when it is convenient or will lead to personal gain? Or, do you see the your life as part of God's plan for the redemption of the world?
A fellow traveler,
Ben