1 Samuel 15:1-23 
 

I. The Old Testament is an important book for people living under the New Testament. 
 

A. The Old Testament is a type of mirror reflecting the attitudes and actions of men whereby God was pleased or displeased. 
 

B. There are three blessings promised to those Christians who will study the Old Testament: Patience, Comfort, and Hope (Romans 15:4). 
 

II. The classic case of disobedience in the Old Testament comes from the life of Israel's first King; King Saul 

 

III. "Disobedience" in the New Testament is a word which literally means, "the condition of being unpersuadable." 
 

A. "It's stated sense in the New Testament is that of obstinate rejection of the Will of God". (Vine's Expository Dictionary) 
 

B. Samuel used two synonyms for disobedience which give insight into the meaning: rebellion and stubbornness (1 Samuel 15:23). 
 

IV. There are some significant lessons to be learned from Saul's disobedience. 
 

A. Talk is not Obedience. (1 Samuel 15:13)

1. "Talk is cheap." - It is easy to talk a good game. 

2. It is easy to say, "I love the Lord", but obedience is the acid test. (John 14:15; 15:14) 

3. It is easy to say, "I love my brethren" (1 John 3:16-18). Lay down our life. In tongue & deed. 4. How many people "testify" today about their salvation yet they have not obeyed the Lord? (Luke 6:46) "But why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do the things which I say?" 
 

B. Partial Obedience is Complete Disobedience.

1. Saul "obeyed" God with two exceptions: Agag the King and the best of the flocks and herds. 
 

2. Saul's partial obedience was complete disobedience. 

a. Saul had not obeyed God (1 Samuel 15:11). 

b. Saul had rejected the Lord's word (1 Samuel 15:26). 

c. If one believes but does not repent, is that obedience? 

d. If one does many good works (Ephesians 2:10) but never obeys the Gospel, is that obedience? (Mark 10:17-22) "One thing you lack..." Partial obedience is complete disobedience.

C. Majority Action does not Justify Disobedience.(1 Samuel 15:21)

1. Saul blamed the people (1 Samuel 15:19). It was Saul and the people. 
 

2. Aaron and the people with the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-5, 28; 33:;7). 
 

3. Some use the majority or the world as their standard 

("Everyone else is doing it, why can't I?). 
 

4. Few find the right way (Matthew 7:13-14) 

a. "For many are called but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14) 

b. A few in Noah's day was 8 souls (1 Peter 3:20) 
 

D. Worthy Objectives do not Justify Disobedience.(I Sam. 15:21)

1. To obey is better than to sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) 
 

2. Remember Uzzah in Numbers 4:15 (2 Samuel 6:6-7) 
 

3. Seems worthy to say "Lord, Lord", but we must be willing to do His will (Matthew 7:21-23). 
 

4. "Worthy Objectives" - This is when we try to think for God in order to justify things we don't understand or agree with. 

a. Many people try to justify unholy marriages (Matthew 19:9). 

b. Our ways are not God's ways (Isaiah 55:1; Proverbs 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:18-20). 

E. Closing 
 

So Samuel said: "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king." (1 Samuel 15:22-23). What about you tonight? Are you obeying the Lord in your own way like Saul did? Are obeying some commands but rejecting others? We see from this lesson that partial obedience is total disobedience. Why not give everything to the Lord. Obey completely and you will be rewarded eternally! We hope to see you next time on Speaking The Truth In Love.