1 Samuel 13:8-15a – The Folly of ‘Having it Your Way’
In verses 11-12 Saul lists his excuses for having taken matters into his own hands: the people were scattering, Samuel hadn’t come, the Philistines were mustering and threatening to attack, he had not sought God’s blessing on his battle, and he forced himself to do it – he was a reluctant disobeyer! But Samuel cuts right through all the excuses in verse 13. Despite the difficult circumstances and mounting pressures, disobedience to the command of God is foolishness. Rejecting the Word of God is foolishness. ‘Having it your way’ is foolishness.
Amplifying the folly of Saul here are the echoes of Eden that the writer includes. Samuel’s searching question, “What have you done?” sounds like God (Genesis 3:13). Saul’s blame shifting to the people (verse 11) sounds like Adam (Genesis 3:12) and Eve (Genesis 3:13). You see, Saul’s sin is symptomatic of all sin. Sin is rejecting God’s word, disobeying the command of God, and going our own way when faced with mounting difficulties. It is having it our own way, not God’s.
God is showing us the problem with Saul, the ‘have it your way’ king. He has the same problem as the people: a disobedient heart that rejects God’s Word. When you ‘have it your way’, there is always the problem of sin. ‘Having it your way’ is folly: it cannot save us, make us happy, bless us or rescue us. When we are confronted with troubles and pressures, God’s path of obedience is the only way.
Saul’s disobedience brought punishment (verses 13-14). He is told that his kingdom will not be established, his dynasty will not be founded, his family will not rule forever, and his name and family line will not continue. Saul’s folly robbed him of blessing. There is no future, nor hope, in sin. Saul’s punishment is a warning of a far greater judgement for those who go their own way – there is no future and no hope, only suffering.
Questions
- Why does the writer echo the Fall in the Garden of Eden?
- Are there any areas where you are being confronted with two choices: the way of obedience and the way of folly?
Prayer Points
- Ask God to point out to you the folly of going your own way, rather than the way of obedience.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.