King Saul failed to obey the LORD’s instruction to him as we saw in part 1 of the post, and it cost him the throne of Israel.
In continuation, let’s look at the remaining two things that made God change His mind and regret making Saul king over His precious people Israel
2. He Was A People Pleaser: The two times that king Saul failed to obey the LORD’S instruction to him through His servant Prophet Samuel was because; the people were leaving( slipping away) from him, and he was afraid of the people, so he disobeyed the LORD’s command and instructions.
It cost king Saul the throne of Israel.
Example 1: “…Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.” 1 Samuel 10:6-8
“Meanwhile Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. He waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away, So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself.
But just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?”
Samuel replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, …”
“How foolish !” Samuel exclaimed. “ You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. Had you kept it the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him leader of his people because you have not kept the LORD’S command.” 1Samuel 13:1-14
Example 2: “Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation- men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.” 1Samuel 15:3
Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs – everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.
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 deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the LORD all night.
Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul.
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 goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded.
“The army indeed 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.
But Samuel replied,
“What is more important 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.
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
And stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the LORD,
He has rejected you as king .”
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 commanded. But now, please forgive my sin and come with me so that I may worship the LORD.” 1Samuel 15:1-31
Samuel replied,” I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the LORD’s command, he has rejected you as king of Israel .”
As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe. And Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else – one who is better than you.
Who Is A People Pleaser?
A people pleaser is not a medical term, so there is no clinical definition for what it means. Generally, it describes a person who consistently strives to please others, often sacrificing their own wants or needs in the process.
A “people pleaser” personality means a person feels a strong urge to please others, even at their own expense. They may feel that their wants and needs do not matter or alter their personality around others.
People-pleasers often sabotage their goals, visions, missions, assignments and purpose. Due to a lack of self-confidence, people-pleasers need external validation, and they may feel that doing things for others will lead to approval and acceptance.
People pleasing was a major weakness king Saul had, and this cost him the throne of Israel.
Many church Pastors, Evangelists, Prophets, Teachers and Ministers, in their bid to please the congregation and people whom they are called by God to be leaders over, have lost their ministry and purpose because they failed to obey the LORDS “Instructions” for their ministry because it is not pleasing to the people.
Some of them have watered down their sermons so that the congregation will not be displeased and leave the Church.
They choose human validation and pleasing like king Saul did over obeying God’s instruction,
3 . He Never Accepts Responsibility For His Actions :
One unique attribute of king David, which made him “ A man after God’s heart” is that; David always accepts responsibility for his actions. He doesn’t blame Satan, the People or anyone else. Once he is made aware of his sin, quickly he would say, “ I have sinned.” He becomes remorseful, accepts his mistakes, and errors and immediately seeks God’s face and forgiveness.
But king Saul is never remorseful, never accepts his mistakes, and will always blame the people for acting the way he did and for his disobedience to the LORD’s instructions.
Saul was more interested in saving face with the people than in his relationship with God. He feared losing the people and their validation over the LORD who choose him and put him on the throne of Israel.
The LORD tore the kingdom of Israel him and gave it to someone else – one who is better than him.
Beloved, in that purpose, ministry, goals, and assignment which the LORD God has committed into your hands as His servant here on earth, are you obedient to His instructions, or are you doing what is contrary to His instructions because you do not want to offend the people around you?
When you sin, do you take responsibility like David or do you blame the people or Satan for your actions like king Saul?
A people pleaser can never please and obey God and would always sabotage their assignments and purpose because God’s instructions will not always align with people’s opinions.
Human validation does not equal God’s validation and approval.
Your loyalty must be to the LORD who has called you into the ministry and purpose. People’s validation and acceptance are fickle and can change at any time.
Learn to take responsibility for your actions if you desire to go far with God in your journey of faith.
It’s my prayer that you learn from the errors of king Saul and make the necessary adjustments in your ministry and purpose so that you do not end up the way he did.
God Bless You
