Introduction

God rejects Saul as king of Israel.

Questions

1. What does God tell Samuel that Saul should do to Amalek?

v 3 Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and don’t spare them; but kill both man and woman, infant and nursing baby, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”

2. When Samuel met Saul, how did he know that Saul had not fully obeyed God’s instructions?

v 14 ... what does this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the cattle which I hear mean?"

3. What two things did God want, more than sacrifices?

v 22 ... to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 

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Summary Points

  • v 1 to 3 Saul is told to completely destroy the Amalekites because they had attacked Israel on their way from Egypt
  • v 4 to 9 Saul attacks the Amalekites, but disobeys God and doesn't completely destroy them
  • v 10 to 23 Samuel reprimands Saul who blames the people for keeping the best of the livestock to sacrifice to God
  • v 24 to 35 Saul admits his sin, but Samuel says that someone better than him is going to be king

Timeline 1050 BC