Topical Bible: Conviction: Saul, After Sparing Agag and the Best of the Spoils

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of conviction is vividly illustrated in the account of King Saul's disobedience following the battle against the Amalekites. This episode is recorded in 1 Samuel 15, where Saul's actions and subsequent confrontation with the prophet Samuel reveal the nature of divine conviction and the consequences of failing to adhere to God's commands.

Background and Command

The Amalekites were long-standing enemies of Israel, and God commanded Saul, through the prophet Samuel, to utterly destroy them as an act of divine judgment. The directive was clear: "Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys" (1 Samuel 15:3). This command was intended to fulfill God's earlier pronouncement against Amalek for their opposition to Israel during the Exodus (Exodus 17:14-16).

Saul's Disobedience

Despite the explicit instructions, Saul failed to fully execute God's command. He spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites, and kept the best of the livestock under the pretense of offering sacrifices to the Lord. The text states, "But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. They were unwilling to destroy them, but everything that was despised and worthless, they devoted to destruction" (1 Samuel 15:9).

Samuel's Confrontation and Saul's Conviction

When Samuel confronted Saul, the king initially claimed obedience, saying, "I have carried out the LORD’s instructions" (1 Samuel 15:13). However, the bleating of sheep and the lowing of cattle betrayed his disobedience. Samuel's response was piercing: "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and what is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" (1 Samuel 15:14).

Saul attempted to justify his actions by shifting blame to the people and asserting that the spared animals were intended for sacrifice. Samuel's reply underscored the principle that obedience is better than sacrifice: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22).

The Nature of Conviction

Saul's encounter with Samuel highlights the nature of conviction in several ways. First, it reveals that conviction arises from the recognition of sin and disobedience to God's commands. Saul's initial denial and subsequent admission of guilt demonstrate the internal struggle that often accompanies conviction. Samuel's words served as a divine instrument to bring Saul to an awareness of his transgression.

Second, conviction is accompanied by consequences. Saul's failure to fully obey God resulted in the loss of his kingdom. Samuel declared, "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" (1 Samuel 15:23). This pronouncement underscores the seriousness of disobedience and the irrevocable nature of divine judgment when conviction is not met with genuine repentance.

Saul's Response

Saul's response to conviction was marked by regret rather than true repentance. He acknowledged his sin, saying, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions" (1 Samuel 15:24). However, his primary concern appeared to be the preservation of his honor before the people rather than a heartfelt return to God. This is evident when he pleaded with Samuel, "Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel" (1 Samuel 15:30).

Conclusion

The account of Saul sparing Agag and the best of the spoils serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of complete obedience to God's commands. It illustrates the role of conviction in bringing awareness of sin and the necessity of responding with genuine repentance. Saul's failure to do so resulted in the loss of his divine mandate, highlighting the gravity of disobedience and the enduring truth that God desires obedience over ritualistic offerings.

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1 Samuel 15:24
And Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and your words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
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