1 Samuel 15  Saul has another chance to listen and obey God's commands, but he fails once again.  This time Saul is told to destroy all of Amalek.  But instead Saul spares the king, Agag, as well as the best of the animals.  The Lord sends Samuel to confront Saul and at first Saul lies saying that he did follow the Word of the Lord.  Then he blames the people for sparing the animals, saying that it was for the purpose of sacrifices to the Lord that they were spared. He didn't fool Samuel and he didn't fool God.

Samuel says this, " Has the Lord as much 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 divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry."    Because of this deliberate rebellion and disobedience, Saul is rejected as king of Israel.  Although Saul begs for pardon, his attitude is still one of rebellion.   The Lord "regretted" making Saul king.  And Samuel went home grieving over Saul.

Rebellion and insubordination.  The Lord calls these worse sins than divination and idolatry.  In Deuteronomy 18:10 the Lord says that those who practice divination are detestable!  We know what He thinks of idolatry - The first 3 commandments address that sin.  The seriousness of rebellion, failing to heed the voice of God, failing to obey... is something we need to think about and carefully examine in our own lives.  How often do we rebel in our hearts?  How often do we fail to heed what God is telling us to do?  May God have mercy!

Father in heaven, forgive us this day for the stubborn and rebellious ways that we have acted towards You and towards Your Word.  Lead us in the ways of righteousness and obedience. Deliver us from evil.  Thank You for the salvation that we have in Christ Jesus!  He has cleansed us from all iniquity by the sacrifice of His body and the shedding of His blood.  Oh how we praise You! Bountiful grace and wonderful love You have shown to us.  We give You all our thanks and all praise.  Amen.