Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Refusal of Saul

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The refusal of God to answer Saul's prayers is a significant event in the biblical narrative, illustrating the consequences of disobedience and the importance of a sincere relationship with God. Saul, the first king of Israel, experienced a dramatic shift in his relationship with God due to his repeated disobedience and failure to adhere to divine commands.

Background

Saul was anointed as king by the prophet Samuel, who was directed by God to choose him (1 Samuel 9:16-17). Initially, Saul showed promise as a leader, but his reign was marred by a series of disobedient acts. One of the most notable instances was when Saul offered burnt offerings himself instead of waiting for Samuel, as instructed (1 Samuel 13:8-14). This act of impatience and presumption was the beginning of Saul's downfall.

God's Rejection of Saul

The turning point in Saul's relationship with God came after his failure to completely destroy the Amalekites as commanded by God. Instead, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, rationalizing his disobedience by claiming he intended to sacrifice the animals to the Lord (1 Samuel 15:9-15). Samuel confronted Saul, declaring, "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). As a result, God rejected Saul as king, and Samuel informed him that the kingdom would be given to another (1 Samuel 15:28).

Saul's Desperation and God's Silence

As Saul's reign continued, he faced increasing challenges, including the threat of the Philistines. In his desperation, Saul sought guidance from God, but the Lord did not answer him through dreams, the Urim, or prophets (1 Samuel 28:6). This silence from God was a direct consequence of Saul's persistent disobedience and his failure to repent sincerely.

In a final act of desperation, Saul sought out a medium at Endor to summon the spirit of Samuel, hoping to receive guidance (1 Samuel 28:7-14). This act further demonstrated Saul's departure from God's ways, as consulting mediums was explicitly forbidden (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The spirit of Samuel reiterated God's judgment, confirming that the kingdom had been torn from Saul and given to David (1 Samuel 28:17).

Lessons from Saul's Refusal

The refusal of God to answer Saul's prayers serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience and the dangers of presumption. Saul's account highlights that God desires a heart that is fully committed to Him, valuing obedience over ritualistic offerings. It also underscores the principle that persistent disobedience and unrepentance can lead to a severed relationship with God, resulting in divine silence.

Saul's experience is a cautionary tale for believers, emphasizing the need for humility, repentance, and a sincere pursuit of God's will. It illustrates that while God is gracious and patient, there are consequences for turning away from His commands and seeking guidance outside of His ordained means.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 28:15
And Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... Answers. ... from being languid or mutilated, or interrupted and wandering, should meet
with a refusal. ... which God has imprinted on our mind is, that prayer is not ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Acts IX
... Moreover, his refusal to tell Saul his appointed duty ... of Scripture in reference to
the answer of prayer. ... give to mourners seeking salvation the answers given by ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm

Acts XVI
... can now account for Paul's stern refusal to circumcise ... how quickly the soothing effects
of prayer had still ... harmonizes this with other inspired answers to the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvi.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... against the Lord," the Holy Spirit answers, "The Lord ... are Eminent Examples of Repentance,
the Prayer of Manasseh ... sea and the whale, upon his refusal to preach ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
... good, and spell, history or tidings) answers to the ... oil, whence he escaped unhurt;
his refusal to remain ... actively and successfully employed in prayer and the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxix the historical books.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... Allegorical argument founded on Judaism. Two answers. Reason why Christ sent the
lepers to the priests. ... Objection to confession and public prayer. Answer. 12. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
... to this end he invites to prayer and conference ... much more grievous a transgression
ought the refusal to obey ... Augustin answers: We do not regard it as inexpiable ...
/.../chapter ii name analysis of.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... What answers to the seventh day is the rest of ... the Jews are deceived in their refusal
of Christ. ... I will first of all that prayer, supplications, intercessions ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... This sense of things was that which made the three thousand come, that made Saul
come, that made the jailer come, and ... will he be able to stand to his refusal? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... so that when a man is questioned and answers that He ... alone, in the case of Paul,
formerly Saul, the great ... should say that when in the Lord's Prayer, the saints ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm