Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul; and it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal.”
Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have carried out the command of the Lord.”
But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” 1 Samuel 15:12-14
The monument to himself revealed Saul’s insecurity. The bleating of sheep revealed Saul’s compromise. Samuel would grieve over king Saul’s disobedience. While there were many noble and courageous qualities that Saul possessed, deep down, his insecurities made him compromise is the wrong areas of life. We learn from Saul’s life and Samuel’s commentary, that to obey is better than sacrifice. May this be the lesson each of us learns.
How am I doing in obedience to the Lord who loves me?
God, forgive my weakness and strengthen me today. I thank you for my wife and the faithful friends with whom I can walk through this life. Please give me the wisdom to solve problems bigger than me.
