In the Bible, we see through Rehoboam’s life that failing to listen to wise counsel has serious consequences. We must humble our hearts and heed the wise counsel of God’s Word and godly men and women in our lives.
November 10, 2025
From Idiotic Things People Did in the Bible
But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs … Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD.”
1 Samuel 15:9, 13
What He Did
God told Saul to utterly destroy Amalek and all they had. But Saul decided to keep the best stuff—and the king—alive. Then he lied about it.
Why It Was Idiotic
Saul disobeyed, then claimed obedience. When caught, he blamed the people. Samuel’s response still rings through history: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Saul lost the kingdom because he thought partial obedience was good enough.
Here’s the Scoop After
God chose Saul as Israel’s first king, Saul was commanded to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as judgment for their past attacks against Israel (see 1 Samuel 15). Instead of fully obeying, Saul spared King Agag and kept the best of the sheep, oxen, and other valuables. When the prophet Samuel confronted him, Saul claimed he had saved the animals to sacrifice to the Lord, trying to justify his partial obedience. Samuel rebuked him with the famous words: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Because Saul rejected God’s command, God rejected him as king. Earlier, Saul had already shown disobedience by offering an unauthorized sacrifice himself (1 Samuel 13), instead of waiting for Samuel as instructed. These repeated acts of defiance revealed a heart more concerned with appearances and self-interest than with honoring God. Saul’s disobedience ultimately led to God’s Spirit departing from him as king over Israel, being given to David.
“Saul disobeyed, then claimed obedience. When caught, he blamed the people. Samuel’s response still rings through history: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Saul lost the kingdom because he thought partial obedience was good enough.”
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King Saul, Israel’s first king, began his reign with promise but soon failed to fully obey God’s commands, which ultimately led to God rejecting him as king.
1. Saul’s First Act of Disobedience (1 Samuel 13)
Saul was preparing to battle the Philistines. The prophet Samuel had instructed him to wait seven days for his arrival to offer the burnt sacrifice to God. But when Saul saw his troops scattering and Samuel hadn’t arrived yet, he grew impatient and offered the sacrifice himself—something only the priest or prophet was permitted to do. When Samuel arrived shortly after, he rebuked Saul, saying:
“You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God … But now your kingdom shall not continue.” (1 Samuel 13:13–14)
2. Saul’s Second and Greater Disobedience (1 Samuel 15)
As we have seen, God commanded Saul, through Samuel, to utterly destroy the Amalekites, including King Agag and all their livestock. However, Saul spared King Agag and kept the best animals alive, claiming they were for sacrifices. When confronted by Samuel, Saul tried to justify his actions, but Samuel replied:
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He also has rejected you from being king.
(1 Samuel 15:22–23)
The story of King Saul is about as consoling to most of us as the story of Samson. Outwardly, Samson and Saul probably could’ve looked like famous movie stars. Even though weak in character, Samson had a God-given strong athletic build. Saul was tall—head and shoulders above most of his soldiers—and strikingly good-looking. For those of us who aren’t super good-looking or terribly tall, we can be encouraged that God looks upon the heart. He sees our character, our thoughts, and our motives. The Bible says He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man (see Psalm 147:10)—in other words, if a man can run super fast, it’s only because God has given him that ability. While strength, speed, and good looks may impress this world, they don’t impress God. What impresses Him is a humble and contrite heart.
9.
King Saul — Mr. “I Did Obey … Kind Of”
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