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God now sent a new command to
Saul. There were some wicked people living near, the Amalekites; and
God told Samuel to command Saul to go and destroy them. Men, and
women, and children, and oxen, and sheep, all must die. This was a
sad command, but it must be obeyed. God had waited many long years,
to see if the Amalekites would repent, and turn to Him. But these
wicked people loved their sins and their idols, and they would not give
them up. And now God would wait no longer, and He said, that all the
Amalekites should be destroyed. God in mercy gives sinners time to
repent; but if they will not attend, nor pray for forgiveness, they will
be destroyed, and perish for ever. Saul
called his soldiers, and they went to fight against Amalek. God
helped Israel to conquer their enemies: all the people of Amalek
were killed, and the king was taken prisoner. Did Saul do as God
told him? No; for he did not kill Agag the king, and he chose the
best of the sheep and oxen, and put them away, and did not kill them; but
all that was bad he destroyed. Was this right? No, it was
disobedience to God's command. Saul thought his own way better than
God's way; he was self-willed and rebellious. God was much
displeased with Saul, and He sent Samuel to him with a very fearful
message. In the morning, Samuel rose early, and went to Saul, to
Gilgal. Saul was not sorry, nor ashamed of what he had done; he
boldly dare to say, "I have performed God's command." But
Samuel said, "What is this noise of sheep and oxen which I
hear?" Then Saul answered, "The people saved them to
sacrifice to God: all the rest we have killed." Samuel
said, "Hear now what God has told me. He commanded thee to go
and kill all the Amalekites; He told thee to destroy everything; why didst
thou not obey the voice of the Lord?" Then Saul again said,
"I have obeyed God; I have taken Agag prisoner; he is here; and the
people took the animals for sacrifice." Samuel answered,
"God does not want sacrifices without obedience. God likes
humility, and love, and gentleness; obedience pleases Him more than any
sacrifice. Rebellion makes Him angry, and thou hast rebelled; and
therefore God has now turned away from thee, and will not let thee be king
over His people Israel." Then Saul began to be frightened, and
he said, "Yes, I have sinned; but now forgive me, and let me worship
God." But Samuel knew that Saul was not truly sorry; and he
turned to go away. Then Saul took hold of Samuel's garment, that
Samuel might not go, and the garment rent. Samuel turned round
again, and said, "God has rent the kingdom from thee to-day; and soon
He will give it to a better man than thou." Then Saul cried,
"I have sinned; but honor me now before the people, and let us
worship God together." Samuel
did what Saul wished; he turned again, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
But did God attend to Saul's worship? No, God will not accept the
prayers of proud rebellious people; He turns away and will not look upon
them. Then Samuel commanded king Agag to be brought to him.
Agag thought he was safe; but no, God said he must die. He had been
a wicked and cruel king, he had murdered many people; and now God punished
him. Samuel killed him in Gilgal, in obedience to God's
command. Then Samuel returned to Ramah, and Saul went home to his
house in Gibeah.
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