7 Days to Wait

Saul’s demise as king over Israel begins in 1 Samuel chapter 13 when he sinned against the Lord.

He was deep in battle and was waiting for a word from the Lord that they were blessed with favor in battle against their enemies.

He was given a word to wait seven days and then the prophet Samuel would show up. 

Saul waited the seven days and when he didn’t see Samuel, he decided to make an offering to the Lord in order to seek the Lord’s favor without Samuel. 

(This wasn’t the role of the king, but of the prophet and priest to perform these inquiries.)

Saul was tired of waiting, fearful and disobedient to the word of the Lord.

Feeling compelled to do something when you’re tired of waiting on God isn’t a good time to take action.

A while later, at that same battle location, in chapter 14, the men of Israel were starting to hide from their enemies, seeing that they were vastly outnumbered and out weaponized.

A small victory at one of the enemy’s outposts by Saul’s son Jonathan and his armor-bearer encouraged the men of Israel. 

Saul went to inquire of the Lord for direction and favor and as the priest was about to do so, Saul stopped him. 

He could hear the action of war in the near distance and decided to assemble his men for battle without receiving confirmation from the Lord. 

Twice Saul decided he had had enough of waiting for the Lord’s approval. 

He was slowly becoming consumed with fear. 

God gives Saul another opportunity to redeem himself in the sight of the Lord.

Through Samuel, he is given a mission with very specific instructions in chapter 15.  He does do some of what the Lord instructed him to do but not all.  He decidedly disobeyed the Lord in rebellion toward him almost as if he just didn’t care anymore. 

He then sets up a monument in another town in his own honor and there forth refers to the Lord as “the Lord your God” when speaking to Samuel. 

Saul’s heart has grown hard toward the Lord and decidedly turned away; rejecting him as his God.

This grieved the Lord. 

Saul decides to confess to Samuel that he “was afraid of the people and so I gave into them” (1 Samuel 15:24).  This excuse is not enough to win back the favor of God as Saul continues to refer to the Lord as “the Lord your God” separating himself as someone who no longer follows God himself. 

The Lord then searches for another who will reign as king that will love him and not turn away, who will follow all his instructions.

The Lord found David.

The Lord still searches for those who will follow him and not turn away. 

What will you choose?