Topical Bible: Covetousness: Saul, in Sparing, Agag and the Booty

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Covetousness, a strong desire for possessions or wealth, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often leading to disobedience and sin. One notable instance of covetousness is found in the actions of King Saul during his campaign against the Amalekites, as recorded in 1 Samuel 15. This event highlights the consequences of prioritizing personal desires over divine commands.

Biblical Context

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 instructions were clear: "Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys" (1 Samuel 15:3). This command was intended to demonstrate God's justice and to prevent the Israelites from being influenced by the Amalekites' idolatrous practices.

Saul's Disobedience

Despite the explicit command, Saul failed to fully obey. He spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites, and kept the best of the livestock. 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 they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless" (1 Samuel 15:9). Saul's actions were driven by covetousness, as he valued the material wealth and prestige associated with capturing a king and acquiring valuable livestock.

Divine Rebuke

When confronted by Samuel, Saul attempted to justify his actions by claiming that the spared livestock was intended for sacrifice to the Lord. However, Samuel rebuked him, emphasizing that obedience to God's command was more important 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). Saul's covetousness led to his downfall, as God rejected him as king over Israel.

Theological Implications

Saul's covetousness serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing personal desires to override divine instructions. It underscores the importance of complete obedience to God and the perils of rationalizing disobedience. Covetousness, in this context, is not merely a desire for material wealth but also a desire for power and status, as seen in Saul's decision to spare Agag.

Moral Lessons

The narrative of Saul and the Amalekites teaches that covetousness can lead to a breach in one's relationship with God. It warns believers to guard their hearts against the temptation to prioritize worldly gains over spiritual fidelity. Saul's failure serves as a reminder that true leadership and faithfulness are marked by humility and obedience to God's will, rather than by the pursuit of personal gain or glory.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 15:8,9
And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... other men's ears, and act and do by the judgments of others: Thus did Saul, when
he ... strike this man of sin the second time, he will not be so sparing as he was ...
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