1 Samuel

1 Samuel 15: To obey is better than sacrifice

Begin in prayer

Before we hear Samuel tell King Saul that to obey is better than sacrifice, let us pray together. Ask the LORD for hearts that listen to Him, and ask Him to show us Jesus, who obeyed for His people.

Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths.

Psalm 25:4

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You ask for obedience from the heart, and help us to listen to You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Samuel told Saul that the LORD had sent him to anoint Saul king, and that Saul must destroy the Amalekites completely. Saul spared King Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, and he destroyed only what was worthless. The LORD grieved that He had made Saul king, and Samuel cried to the LORD all night. When Samuel confronted Saul, Saul said he had obeyed, and he blamed the people for keeping the best animals to sacrifice. Samuel answered that obedience is better than sacrifice, and that rebellion is like witchcraft. Saul confessed his sin, but Samuel said the LORD had torn the kingdom from him, and Samuel himself put Agag to death before the LORD.

As you read 1 Samuel 15, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD asks for obedience more than sacrifice, and Jesus obeyed for His people.

Samuel brought Saul the LORD's command to strike Amalek for what Amalek did on the way out of Egypt (verses 1 to 3). God was judging a sinful people, and He spared the Kenites, who had shown kindness to Israel (verses 6 and 18). Saul struck Amalek but spared King Agag and the best of the animals, and he destroyed only what was worthless (verses 8 and 9). The LORD grieved over Saul, yet He does not lie or change His mind as a man does (verses 11 and 29). Saul said he had obeyed, and he blamed the people for keeping the best animals to sacrifice (verses 13 to 21). Samuel answered that obeying the LORD is better than sacrifice, and that rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft (verses 22 and 23). Saul confessed but said he feared the people, and he asked Samuel to honor him before the elders (verses 24 and 30). The LORD wants a heart that obeys more than gifts on an altar. Where King Saul failed, Jesus always did what pleased the Father (John 8 verse 29).

How does 1 Samuel 15 show us that the LORD asks for obedience more than sacrifice, and that Jesus obeyed for His people?

The LORD asks for obedience, more than offerings.

Saul told Samuel he had obeyed, and Samuel asked what the bleating of the sheep meant (verses 13 and 14). Saul said the people kept the best animals to sacrifice to the LORD (verse 15). Samuel said the LORD delights in obeying His voice more than in burnt offerings and sacrifices (verse 22). A sacrifice given in disobedience is empty, because God wants the heart first.

Saul did not obey, and the LORD rejected him.

Saul spared King Agag and the best of the animals (verse 9). He confessed his sin, saying he feared the people and obeyed their voice (verse 24). When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the skirt of his robe, and it tore (verse 27). Samuel said the LORD had torn the kingdom from him and given it to a neighbor who was better (verse 28).

Jesus obeyed where Saul did not.

Saul would not obey the LORD's voice, and he kept what God had said to destroy (verses 19 and 21). Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2 verse 8). Through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous (Romans 5 verse 19).

Memorise

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do I keep my own way, and who can forgive me?

Saul kept the best of what God said to destroy, and he called it a gift for the LORD. Samuel said, “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

Every one of us has done what Saul did. We have kept our own way and called it good. Jesus did what we never did. He obeyed the Father in everything, all the way to the cross, and there He bore God's anger against our disobedience. God raised Him on the third day. His obedience is fully accepted, and it is the only righteousness that can stand before God.

Do not bring God gifts and keep your sin. Turn from it, and put your trust in Jesus. He receives every sinner who comes with a broken heart, and He forgives.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD asks for a heart that obeys, and that Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly. Parents, you may want to explain verses 3, 9 and 33 in your own words, and God's judgment on Amalek (verse 2). Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that Jesus obeyed Him perfectly, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:17

Father, You desire a heart that obeys You. Thank You that Jesus obeyed You perfectly and gave His life for His people. Forgive us for doing our own way, and help us to trust Him. Teach us to listen to You this week. Amen.