Kings and Kingdoms - Week One - King Saul
NOTES:
Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the LORD all night.
Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.”
When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the LORD bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the LORD’s command!”
“Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded.
“It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the LORD your God. We have destroyed everything else.” -1 Samuel 15:10–15
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. -1 Samuel 15:22
Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. -1 Samuel 15:24
Pride is always the ROOT of spiritual FAILURE.
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. -Psalm 10:4
The ANTIDOTE to pride is HUMILITY.
BOTTOM LINE:
The PROUDER you are, the further you FALL from God.
The CLOSER you are to God, the HUMBLER you become.
CHALLENGE:
Identify an area where pride may be leading you to DISOBEDIENCE.