Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 15
Saul had chosen on purpose not to obey God; and Samuel had declared God’s judgement against him. However, Saul still did not recognise how serious his sin was.
Sometimes a person tries to confess sin without repentance. Repentance means to turn away from sin. It is when a person chooses, with God’s help, not to continue in that sin. Repentance is essential because all sin is a serious matter. Sin is our wrong deeds that offend against God’s holy law.
Saul tried to confess his sin without repentance. He wrongly thought that he only needed to say sorry for God to forgive him. He had no desire for God to change his life. He wanted to continue to act in the same manner that he had done before.
Saul even tried to argue that his sin was only minor. He had acted in a weak manner; other people had persuaded him to do it. We do not know whether that was true or not. However, in 1 Samuel 15:20-21, Saul was proud to declare that he had done these things. God considered Saul guilty; Saul had no right to argue against God’s judgement.
Saul urged Samuel to go with him to worship (give honour to) God. Probably Saul wanted to offer the gifts to God that he mentioned in 1 Samuel 15:21. He wanted Samuel to join him to show that God approved of those gifts. Samuel refused. God did not approve of those gifts (15:22). In fact, God did not even recognise Saul’s authority to act as king now.
God does not forgive people without repentance. Many people, like Saul, would like God to forgive them, but they do not want to obey him.
Next part: Saul holds on to Samuel’s clothes (1 Samuel 15:27-28)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.