🪞 1 Samuel 15:22 | "..to obey is better than.."

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There are two Sauls in the Bible. One was an apostle, the other a king. One was faithful to death, and one’s unfaithfulness led to his death.

This week, we’ll look at the latter.

In today’s email…

• 🤴 The bigger picture of Israel’s demand for a king

• 😤 King Saul’s greatest enemy

• 🎵 A song to remember God’s faithfulness

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MEMORIZE 🧠 

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

and to listen than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22

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CONTEXT 📕 

Let’s zoom out before we zoom in.

The book of 1 Samuel is a turning point in the Bible’s storyline. Israel had no king — only prophets and judges. God had been their leader.

But the people grew restless.

They looked around at other nations and wanted what they had: a king.

Someone visible. Impressive. Powerful.

Speaking to Samuel, they said:

God warned them this wasn’t wise. That this wasn’t what they actually wanted.

But it was as if He said: thy will be done.

God allowed it, and Saul was chosen.

At first glance, Saul had it all: tall, strong, regal.

A man who looked like a king. He even had a few shining moments early in his reign. He was brave, well respected and he gave God credit.

But Saul’s story isn’t one of steady faithfulness. It’s a story of slow unraveling.

Under pressure, Saul cracked.

Again and again.

In moments that called for patience, he rushed. In moments that called for obedience, he compromised. And in moments that called for humility, he grasped for control.

Why?

Because Saul’s greatest enemy wasn’t out there.

It was in here.

His own insecurity. His craving for approval. His fear of being exposed as not enough.

When we meet 1 Samuel 15:22, we’re watching Saul reach a breaking point. He had just directly disobeyed God and tried to cover it up with religious activity.

And Samuel calls him out with this unforgettable rebuke:

In other words, God doesn’t want your performance. He wants your obedience.

But to understand the weight of those words, we have to understand the journey that got us here.

Saul’s calling, his cracks, his choices.

That’s where we’ll spend the next few days.

Watching a man who looked the part of a king, but missed the heart of obedience. Watching a prophet, Samuel, who loved Saul but had to confront him.

And ultimately, watching what happens when someone trades trust in God for trust in themselves.

Because Saul’s story isn’t just ancient history.

It’s a mirror for us today.

APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃‍♂️ 

Today, don’t rush past the big picture.

📖 Read

• 1 Samuel 8 – Israel’s request for a king

• 1 Samuel 9–10 – Saul’s anointing and insecurities

• 1 Samuel 13 – Saul’s first cracks under pressure

Pay attention to the subtle compromises Saul makes as the story progresses. Tomorrow, we will take a closer look at chapter 15 and the context surrounding our verse.

🙏 Pray 

Father, help me hear Your voice, not just the loudest voices around me. Teach me to trust Your timing, obey Your instructions, and find my confidence in You, not in my own strength or others’ opinions.

SONG OF THE WEEK 🎵 

A crack in Saul’s story splinters when he finds himself surrounded by enemies. This song has always helped me when I find myself in a similar place. Enjoy as you meditate on this week’s memory verse.

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ANSWER KEY ✅ 

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

and to listen than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22