Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.” (1 Samuel 13:13-14)
In today’s reading of 1 Samuel, we see Samuel proclaiming God’s judgment over Saul and his future. What can we learn from this chapter to avoid following Saul’s example and instead, practice obedience to God and pursuing God’s heart? Verse 13 sums up how Saul messed up. He was foolish, he didn’t keep God’s commands, and Saul’s timing couldn’t have come at a worse time. When Samuel calls Saul foolish, he wasn’t talking about being unintelligent or silly. Rather, the Bible talks about foolishness by meaning someone who is morally or spiritually lacking. When we disobey God, we try to come up with excuses, blame others, or try to lessen or justify the results of our sin. Yet, Samuel, plainly tells Saul that God commanded him to do something and he did the opposite. There are consequences for sinning against God and it not only affects the sinner, but those around you.
So how can we find favor with God. In verse 14, Samuel states that the Lord has found a man after his own heart. What was the difference between Saul and David? First, a man after God’s own heart honors the Lord. Saul was more concerned with his will than with God’s. David knew God’s will was most important. Second, a man after God’s own heart enthrones the King. For Saul, he believed he was the king. For David, he knew the Lord his God was King. Saul thought God would help him achieve his goals. David thought that God was the goal. Who are you living for, yourself or for God? Finally, a man after God’s own heart has a soft and repentant heart. When Saul was confronted with his sin, he offered excuses. When David was confronted with his sin, he confessed his sin and repented. Let’s choose today, and everyday, to live for God and to honor Him in every way.