He Endured Despite Disappointments - "For How Long Will You Be Mourning for Saul?

Samuel was right to see good in Saul; this was a remarkable man.  Tall and impressive in appearance, he was courageous and resourceful yet intially modest and unassuming.  (1 Samuel 10:22, 23, 27)  In addition to such gifts, he had a precious one-free will, the ability to choose his life course and make his own decisions.  (Deuteronomy 30:19)  Did he use that gift well? 

Sadly, when a man basks in the warm glow of newly acquired power, modesty is often the first quality to melt away.  Before long, Saul began to turn arrogant.  He chose to disobey Jehovah's orders that Samuel transmitted to him.  Once, Saul grew impatient and offered up a sacrifice that Samuel intended to offer.  Samuel had to give him strong correction and foretold that the kingship would not remain in Saul's family. Instead of being chastened by the discipline,Saul went on to commit worse acts of disobedience. - 1 SAMUEL 13:8, 9, 13, 14.

Through Samuel, Jehovah told Saul to wage war against the Amelekites.  Jehovah's instructions included an order  to execute their wicked king, Agag. However, Saul spared Agag as well as the best of the spoil, which was to be destroyed.  When Samuel came to correct him, Saul revealed how much he had changed. Instead of modestly accepting correction, he rationalized , excused himself; justified his actions, sidestepped  the issue, and tried to shift the blame to the people.  When Saul tried to deflect the discipline byb claiming that some of he spoil was intended for sacrifice to Jehovah, Samuel uttered the famouse words:  "Look! To obey is better than a sacrifice." Courageously, Samuel rebuked the man and revealed Jehovah decision:  The kingship would ripped away from Saul and given to another -a better man." "- 1 SAMUEL 15:1-33. 

Next time: He Endured Despite Disappointments - "For How Long Will You Be Mourning for Saul?" 

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