Journey
Leadership under weight
Saul's excuse, David's confession, Solomon's request and Moses's hardest days, with Jesus's words on serving at the centre.
People in this journey
Opening stop: Better than sacrifice, 1 Samuel 15:22
Saul had been told to utterly destroy all that Amalek had and spare them not (1 Samuel 15:3). He kept King Agag and the best of the animals, and said they were meant as sacrifices to the Lord (1 Samuel 15:15, 20-21). It is the second time. At Gilgal he had offered the burnt offering himself rather than wait any longer for Samuel (1 Samuel 13:8-13). The same theme runs through the prophets: Hosea says God wants mercy rather than sacrifice (Hosea 6:6), and Jesus quotes Hosea twice (Matthew 9:13, 12:7).
And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams.
King James Version
The text attributes to God a command to destroy Amalek, including children and animals. Saul and the people spare Agag and valuable livestock. When Samuel challenges him, Saul appeals to sacrifice, then admits fearing the people and obeying them. Samuel announces the rejection of Saul's kingship and later kills Agag. The chapter closes with Samuel's mourning and the Lord's regret. The comparison of obedience and sacrifice appears within this violent account of kingship and judgment.
Continue the journey
This journey has 8 stops. The opening stop is free. Premium opens the rest of the guided path, and every Scripture chapter stays free to read.