Have you ever been in a situation with a friend who says “Let’s focus on the positive, on what I’ve done well.” “Everyone else does it.” “It seemed the sensible thing to do.” “I did it with good intentions.” “I was afraid of other people.” Consider those comments in light of 1 Samuel 15.

Can you find an echo in some of Saul’s explanations of his actions? How does Samuel respond? How would you respond to each of those comments.

How does 1 Samuel 15:22 and 2 Corinthians 7:10-13 help you to respond to the following questions?

  • What is the mark of true repentance?
  • How is repentance different from “worldly sorrow” at the consequences of sin?

 

In 1 Samuel 15:1-3 God gives Saul clear instructions to destroy all of Amalek. But in verses 4-12 we learn of Saul’s disobedience to the Lord and his act of self-worship. Verses 13-34 record Samuel’s confrontation of Saul and Saul’s continued rejection of God as well as Saul’s unrepentant responses. In verses 13-15, 20-21 & 24-25 Saul responds to Samuel’s confrontation of his sin with excuses.

Samuel and Saul’s interaction looks like the following outline:

  • Saul: “Let’s focus on the positive, on what I’ve done well”. (13-15)
  • Samuel: “Let’s focus on what God commands and see why you didn’t obey”. (18-19)
  • Saul: “Everyone else does it”. (20-21)
  • Samuel: “We must obey the voice of the Lord not follow the crowd”. (22)
  • Saul: “It seemed the sensible thing to do”. (20-21)
  • Samuel: “Listening to God and obeying him is the sensible thing to do”. (22)
  • Saul: “I did it with good intentions”. (20-21)
  • Samuel: “Your best intentions can be rooted in idolatry”. (23)
  • Saul: “I was afraid of other people.” (24)
  • Samuel: “Living for people’s acceptance is rejection of the Lord”. (26)

 

The mark of true repentance is to turn away from sin to worshipping the Lord through obedient trust in the promises of the gospel. Worldly sorrow at the consequences of sin produces continued sinfulness. It is interesting to note that while Saul attempted to get Samuel to join him in his sin by returning to performance in front of people (30-31) Samuel acted in obedience to the Lord in verses 32-33 by hacking Agag to pieces. I also think its interesting to note that continued unrepentance brings separation not only in our relationship with the Lord but in our earthly relationships as well (34-35).

When I am interacting with someone who is living sinfully I want to respond the same way as Samuel did with Saul. I want to help them focus on God’s commands and examine why they didn’t obey him. I want to remind them to listen to the voice of the Lord instead of following the crowd. I want to explain why it is sensible to listen to and obey the Lord’s commands. I want to help identify the idolatrous roots of sin that are growing in their hearts and help them implant the gospel. I want to help them live in the acceptance of the gospel instead of living in fear of other people and seeking people’s acceptance.