Another sad case of Religious Devotion upstaging Divine compliance

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1. God’s Command (1 Samuel 15:3):

   • Saul was instructed to completely destroy the Amalekites — men, women, children, and animals — as judgment for their opposition to Israel.

   • This was meant to be total destruction (ḥerem, or “ban”), leaving nothing alive.

2. Saul’s Actions (1 Samuel 15:7–9):

   • Saul defeated the Amalekites but spared King Agag.

   • He also kept the best of the sheep, cattle, and other valuables, destroying only what was worthless.

3. His Excuse (1 Samuel 15:15):

   • Saul claimed the animals were spared to be sacrificed to the Lord.

   • In reality, this was disobedience disguised as religious devotion.

🗣️ Samuel’s Rebuke

• Samuel declared that obedience to God’s word is more important than ritual sacrifice.

• He told Saul: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23).

• Because of this disobedience, Saul was rejected by God as king.

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 Key Takeaway

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Saul’s disobedience was that he partially obeyed — sparing King Agag and the best livestock — instead of fully carrying out God’s command. His attempt to justify it with sacrifice revealed that selective obedience is still disobedience. 

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The Whisper: The enemy is always there to lead us into traps and snares. The enemy knows that partial obedience to God is obedience. Surely God will be happy with sacrifices, We must be committed to obey the full word of God. Nothing else woud do.