A Monument to Oneself (1 Samuel 15)

Having already shown public impatience for waiting on God's timing and command (Ch.13), Saul's rejection of God's sovereignty came full circle in this chapter. God gave a specific command to Saul before he defeated the Amalekites. But as victory came by God's hand through the Israelite soldiers, Saul chose to disobey. He obeyed only the portion of God's command which required no personal sacrifice. He lost nothing in that portion of obedience. But those portions of the spoil that could be of great benefit, Saul chose to keep them for himself with a good dose of religious justification. In doing so, Saul officially was removed from the throne as Israel's King.

After the battle Saul erected a monument to himself in Carmel. Also, instead of killing Agag (King of the Amalekites), Agag was kept as a living monument to Saul's greatness. Agag's people had been wiped out, but as Saul's prisoner he would be a living reminder to everyone of Saul's victory. This time there was no mention of the Lord's victory from Saul's mouth.

When Samuel appears to confront Saul, the first words from Saul are, "I have carried out the command of the Lord"(v. 13). Nice try. When confronted by Samuel, Saul goes on to explain the disobedience by blameshifting. It is now the people who chose not to obey...and according to Saul they were just on our way to make a sacrifice and give it all to the Lord. So smooth with his justification! But God saw beyond the lies. He looks at the heart.

In contrast to Saul's monuments to his own greatness, Samuel speaks of the Lord in a new and unique way. The Lord is named, "the Glory of Israel." This name directly contradicted Saul's actions in building monuments to his own glory. The reality that Saul faced that day was a choice each of us face. Will it be our greatness that we erect for people to see? Or will it be the Glorious One who people recognize as we live out our lives?

May the Lord continue to discern and discipline the workings of my heart

as I seek to use well the gifts He has provided in my life.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.