Study 21: 1 Samuel 15: 1-35: Trent Evans

This sermon on 1 Samuel 15 explores Saul’s disobedience to God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites and how his compromise revealed pride, fear of man, and a shallow form of worship. The passage highlights the danger of valuing human approval over obedience to God, the grief we cause when we resist His word, and the generational consequences of leaving sin undealt with. Samuel’s rebuke—“to obey is better than sacrifice”—underscores that true worship flows from obedience, not religious performance. The message challenges listeners to identify and put to death the “Agags” in their own lives before they take root in future generations, reminding us that humility, obedience, and reverence for God are essential to a life that honors Him. 

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction & Context (00:08–04:11)

• Setting: Transition from 1 Samuel 14 into 15.

• Saul’s pride vs. God’s authority (14:45–52).

• Importance of studying all Scripture, even hard passages.

• Key principle: God’s Word reveals His character and justice.

2. Saul’s Heart Problem (05:00–06:27)

• Saul valued his own word above God’s Word.

• When his word was broken, he pronounced death (on Jonathan); when God’s Word was broken, he minimized it.

• Lesson: Pride places self above God.

3. God’s Command & Israel’s History with Amalek (09:06–15:55)

• Samuel reminds Saul that he is king only because God chose him (15:1–2).

• Command: Destroy Amalek (15:3).

• Historical background: Amalek attacked Israel’s weak (Deut. 25:17–19).

• God gave them nearly 500 years to repent before judgment (Exodus through 1 Samuel).

4. The Dilemma of Divine Justice (15:38–18:25)

• God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11).

• Mercy: Kenites spared because of past kindness (15:6).

• Truth: If God never judged, He wouldn’t be loving; if He does judge, He’s called tyrannical.

5. Partial Obedience = Disobedience (21:32–24:28)

• Saul spares King Agag and the best livestock (15:8–9).

• Key lesson: When we compromise God’s Word, we redefine “good” for ourselves.

• Application: The “Agags” we leave alive in our hearts will burden future generations.

6. Generational Consequences of Disobedience (24:40–26:52)

• David later has to fight Amalekites because Saul failed to finish the task (1 Sam. 30).

• Haman (Esther 3) descends from Agag—Saul’s compromise nearly leads to Israel’s destruction in Persia.

• Application: Parents’ disobedience passes struggles to their children.

7. God’s Grief & Saul’s Excuses (27:34–35:59)

• God is “grieved” (Hebrew nāḥam) over Saul (15:10–11).

• Saul sets up a monument to himself (15:12).

• Saul claims obedience but is exposed by the “bleating of sheep” (15:13–15).

• Key truth: Actions testify louder than words (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8).

8. Obedience vs. Empty Worship (38:54–41:04)

• Samuel: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (15:22).

• Worship without obedience is hollow, “an inch deep and a mile wide.”

• Rebellion = witchcraft; arrogance = idolatry (15:23).

• Lesson: Disobedience disguised as worship is still rebellion.

9. Fear of Man vs. Fear of God (44:18–45:36)

• Saul admits: “I was afraid of the men, so I gave in” (15:24).

• Principle: When fear of man outweighs reverence for God, compromise follows.

• Jesus: “Do not fear the one who can kill the body, but Him who can destroy both body and soul” (Matt. 10:28).

10. Final Judgment & Application (47:30–59:17)

• God rejects Saul as king (15:26–28).

• Samuel executes Agag (15:32–33).

• Saul’s reign ends in ruin (1 Sam. 31; 2 Sam. 1).

• Application: The sins we refuse to kill will eventually kill us.

• Closing Challenge: True worship is daily obedience, laying down hidden sins so future generations won’t carry them.

Scripture References

1. 1 Samuel 14:45–52 – Context of Saul’s Pride (04:11–06:27)

• Saul almost executes Jonathan for breaking his vow, showing that he valued his own word above God’s.

• Sets the stage for Saul’s decline into disobedience.

2. 1 Samuel 15:1–3 – God’s Command through Samuel (09:48–13:11)

• Samuel reminds Saul that God chose him as king, not his own merit.

• Command: destroy Amalek completely.

• Application: leadership comes from God’s sovereignty, calling for humility.

3. Deuteronomy 25:17–19 – Amalek’s Attack on Israel (13:45–15:09)

• Amalek targeted the weak and defenseless when Israel came out of Egypt.

• Used to explain why God commanded judgment on Amalek.

4. Ezekiel 33:11 – God’s Heart Toward the Wicked (15:38–15:55)

• “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked.”

• Shows that even in judgment, God’s desire is repentance, not destruction.

5. 1 Samuel 15:8–9 – Saul’s Partial Obedience (21:32–22:42)

• Saul spares King Agag and the best livestock.

• Lesson: redefining good apart from God leads to compromise.

6. 1 Samuel 30:1–6 – Consequences of Disobedience (24:40–25:44)

• David later fights Amalekites who survived because Saul spared Agag.

• Application: what we fail to kill spiritually burdens the next generation.

7. Esther 3:1–6 – Haman the Agagite (25:44–26:52)

• Haman, descendant of Agag, nearly destroys Israel in Persia.

• Shows ripple effects of Saul’s disobedience centuries later.

8. Ephesians 4:30 – Grieving the Holy Spirit (27:34–28:59)

• Saul grieved God by turning away from His Word.

• Applied to believers: we too can grieve God by disobedience.

9. 1 Samuel 15:12–15 – Saul’s Lies Exposed (31:24–35:59)

• Saul sets up a monument for himself and claims obedience.

• Samuel exposes him: “What then is the bleating of sheep in my ears?”

• Lesson: words and actions must align.

10. Isaiah 29:13 / Matthew 15:8 – Empty Worship (33:11–33:44)

• People honor God with lips but hearts are far away.

• Applied to Saul’s lip-service obedience and our own shallow worship.

11. 1 Samuel 15:22–23 – To Obey is Better than Sacrifice (40:32–41:33)

• Samuel rebukes Saul: obedience > ritual sacrifice.

• Rebellion compared to witchcraft; arrogance compared to idolatry.

12. Matthew 10:28 – Fear God, Not Man (44:33–44:55)

• Saul admits he feared the people more than God.

• Jesus’ teaching applied: reverence for God must outweigh fear of others.

13. 1 Samuel 15:26–28 – Saul Rejected as King (46:29–47:30)

• Samuel declares God has torn the kingdom from Saul and given it to another.

• Shows God’s final judgment on disobedience.

14. 1 Samuel 15:32–33 – Samuel Executes Agag (48:05–50:11)

• Samuel personally puts Agag to death.

• Application: what Saul refused to kill, Samuel had to finish.

15. 1 Samuel 31 / 2 Samuel 1:1–10 – Saul’s Death (50:11–53:40)

• Saul dies in battle, possibly by an Amalekite’s hand.

• Ties back to the theme: what we fail to kill spiritually will destroy us.

16. Romans 12:1 (implied) – Worship as Obedience (55:30–59:17)

• Not directly quoted, but the closing application ties obedience to worship.

• True worship = daily surrender, not empty ritual.

12. 1 Samuel 14:47–48 (41:44–43:56)

• Context: Saul fights valiantly after the episode.

• Use in Sermon: Shows temporary behavior modification without lasting heart change; his pride resurfaces later.

13. Romans 12:2 (alluded) (46:48–48:23)

• Context: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

• Use in Sermon: Applied in contrast to Saul’s behavior—true change comes from heart transformation, not willpower.

Word Study

1. Obedience

• Language/Origin: Hebrew (OT)

• Word: שָׁמַע (shāmaʿ) – Strong’s H8085 – pronounced shaw-MAH

Definitions

• Simple: To hear, listen, obey.

• Extended: Implies not just hearing but responding with action; carries the idea of attentiveness that leads to faithful obedience.

Synonyms / Antonyms

• Synonyms: שָׁמַר (shāmar – to keep, guard, observe).

• Antonyms: מָאַס (maʾas – to reject, despise).

Other Key Passages

• Deut. 6:4 – “Hear (shāmaʿ), O Israel” – foundational Shema prayer.

• Exod. 19:5 – If you “obey” (shāmaʿ) my voice, you will be my treasured possession.

• Jer. 7:23 – “Obey (shāmaʿ) my voice… walk in all the way that I command you.”

Reflection

The sermon emphasized Samuel’s rebuke: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:22). This word deepens the teaching by showing that biblical obedience is not passive hearing but active, humble response to God. It highlights how Saul’s failure was not in ritual but in ignoring God’s voice, reminding us that worship is lived out in obedience.

2. Rebellion

• Language/Origin: Hebrew (OT)

• Word: מְרִי (meri) – Strong’s H4805 – pronounced meh-REE

Definitions

• Simple: Rebellion, disobedience.

• Extended: Stubborn resistance against God’s will; refusal to yield to authority, often linked with witchcraft or divination (as in 1 Sam. 15:23).

Synonyms / Antonyms

• Synonyms: פֶּשַׁע (peshaʿ – transgression, revolt).

• Antonyms: כָּנַע (kanaʿ – to humble, to submit).

Other Key Passages

• Num. 17:10 – God warns against the rebellion (meri) of the Israelites.

• Ezek. 2:5 – Israel described as a rebellious house.

• Isa. 30:1 – “Woe to the rebellious children.”

Reflection

The sermon drew a sharp line: “Rebellion is like witchcraft.” By linking Saul’s refusal to obey with divination, the word shows how disobedience is spiritual treachery, not a small mistake. It reminds believers that compromise with sin is active rebellion, cutting us off from God’s blessing and authority.

3. Grieve

• Language/Origin: Hebrew (OT)

• Word: נָחַם (nāḥam) – Strong’s H5162 – pronounced naw-KHAM

Definitions

• Simple: To be sorry, to grieve, to repent, to be comforted.

• Extended: A complex word expressing deep emotional movement—ranging from regret and grief to compassion and comfort. In 1 Sam. 15:11, it conveys God’s grief over Saul’s disobedience, not human regret but divine sorrow over sin.

Synonyms / Antonyms

• Synonyms: עָצַב (ʿatsab – to hurt, pain, grieve).

• Antonyms: שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ – to rejoice, be glad).

Other Key Passages

• Gen. 6:6 – God was grieved (nāḥam) that He had made man.

• Exod. 32:14 – God relented (nāḥam) from destroying Israel after Moses’ intercession.

• Jonah 3:10 – God relented (nāḥam) from the disaster He threatened.

Reflection

The sermon highlighted that Saul “grieved God” by rejecting His Word. This reveals that God is not indifferent but relational—our disobedience brings Him sorrow. Understanding nāḥam reminds us of the weight of sin: it breaks God’s heart, not just His law. It calls us to repentance so we live in a way that brings Him joy instead of grief.

Questions for Deeper Study

1. Obedience over Sacrifice

• Read 1 Samuel 15:22 and Deuteronomy 6:4–5.

• How does Scripture show that God values obedience over ritual? What areas of your life might be more about outward sacrifice than inward obedience?

2. The Cost of Compromise

• Read 1 Samuel 15:8–9 and Esther 3:1–6.

• How did Saul’s partial obedience affect future generations? What “Agags” (sins or compromises) in your life might become a burden for others if left unchecked?

3. Grieving God’s Heart

• Read 1 Samuel 15:10–11 and Ephesians 4:30.

• What does it mean to “grieve” God or the Holy Spirit? How can an awareness of God’s grief over sin deepen your pursuit of holiness and humility?