The High Cost of Compromise (1 Samuel 15:1-35) - 2/15/26

Intro

• Israel demanded a king like the nations (1 Sam. 8).

• God gave them Saul, chosen, anointed, empowered (1 Sam. 9–10).

• Saul began with humility and early victory (1 Sam. 11).

• Cracks appeared…  impatience and self-willed sacrifice (1 Sam. 13).

• Spiritual inconsistency continued (1 Sam. 14).

• Now God gives Saul a clear command.

• This chapter reveals the difference between outward success and true obedience.

• The issue is not military strength… it is the heart under God’s Word.
  

God’s Clear Command – vv. 1–3

• Called by God. Sent by God. Saul’s authority is derived, not self-made.

• “LORD of hosts” Ultimate authority. Therefore, listen to the Word of God.

• Amalek opposed God (Exod. 17:8–16). This is covenant justice.

• God’s leaders live under His Word. Authority flows from submission.
  

When God speaks clearly, obedience is not optional

Saul’s Selective Obedience – vv. 4–9

• Saul obeyed… to a point (vv. 4–7).

• But… the king and the people spared Agag and the best (vv. 8–9).

• They kept “all that was good”… defined by their judgment, not God’s.

• Partial obedience is still disobedience.

• Check your heart before deciding what is “good.”

• WHAT IS YOUR AGAG!
  

Where are we obeying selectively? What are we sparing that God has spoken against?

God’s Heart Level Evaluation – vv. 10–23

• God’s “regret” GOD SEES THE HEART.  Judicial rejection, not divine error. Our sin grieves the Lord.

• Samuel is burdened… true spiritual leaders grieve over disobedience.

• Saul builds a monument and greets Samuel with blessing… self-focus replaces humility.

• “What is this bleating?” Sin leaves evidence.…and path to disobedience

• “The people did it… to sacrifice.” Spiritual language used to excuse rebellion.

• You are king. God sent you. You disobeyed.

• God is not impressed with false sacrifice. He desires obedience from the heart.

• “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

• verses 22 & 23 are key
  

God measures obedience, not religious actions/deeds.

God’s Righteous Judgment – vv. 24–35

• Saul confesses… but fears people more than God.

• God rejects Saul; the kingdom will be given to another.

• Samuel executes Agag… delayed obedience is painful obedience.

• Samuel departs and grieves. Leadership without obedience ends in isolation.

• “The LORD regretted…” divine sorrow over covenant failure.
  

Persistent disobedience leads to real consequences. God’s purposes stand, but unfaithful leaders are set aside.

The What Now

• Obey God’s Word completely. Don’t negotiate with clear commands.

• Kill compromise quickly. What you spare today will weaken you tomorrow. KILL YOUR AGAG!

• Fear God more than people. Faithfulness matters more than approval.

• Guard your heart daily. True obedience begins inside, not in appearances.
  

Live under the Word. Walk in obedience. Trust Christ, our perfectly obedient King.

The following resources are ones I regularly use in my own study and sermon preparation, and they may also be helpful for others who want to read, study, and grow deeper in God’s Word.

• 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart (Focus on the Bible) — Dale Ralph Davis (Christian Focus)

• 1, 2 Samuel (New American Commentary, Vol. 7) — Robert D. Bergen (B&H Publishing)

• The MacArthur Bible Commentary — John MacArthur (Thomas Nelson)

• ESV Expository Commentary: 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles (Vol. 3) — Edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar (Crossway)

• The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. 3) — Edited by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland (Zondervan)