1 Samuel 15:1-9

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ ” So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim-two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand from Judah. Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. Then he said to the Kenites, “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites. Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt. He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs-everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

– 1 Samuel 15:1-9

Devotion

Time and time again Saul disobeyed the command of the Lord. Saul failed to recognize the significance of his failure and the impact it would have on his reign, his family, and the nation. Once again Saul caved in to his desire to be liked by his people. He was so concerned with his own honor and significance that he totally disregarded God’s instructions. The consequences of Saul’s disobedience were devastating.

The Big Question

What adjustments has God been asking you to make lately? Have you realigned your life to bring it in line with God’s will and purpose for your life? If not, what do you learn from today’s scripture text?

Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.